The 16th edition of the Oak Bay Half marathon took place this weekend. It’s a scenic hilly road race that offers a few distances. In addition to the half marathon, there is a 10k, half marathon relay and 1km kids run. This year the event was sold out to a filed of 1,800 participants. It’s a smallish event where the community embraces the racers. There are a lot of volunteers and residents out supporting the runners. STARR member, Steve Kent, was out to the event and here is his story.
On Sunday, May 29 I had the pleasure of being with my son, Nick, and my six-year-old twin grandsons, Izaiah and Keadon, and my wife, Diane. We were stationed just past the 16 km mark to cheer on the Oak Bay Half Marathon runners. Nick's wife and the twins mom, Yvanna was running the half. A windy spot by the Oak Bay marina was our lookout. As we were hooting and cheering and clapping the runners along. I spotted my friend and STARR runner, Leslie Ann Bent, making her way along the route. Big smiles and enthusiastic wave from her and us, we cheered her through that section.
I was waiting for Yvanna because I told her I would run the last few kms with her and be a supportive father-in-law. At about the one hour forty-five-minute mark, Yvanna came running towards us. The twins were so excited to see their mom. I joined her for the last four and a half km. Passing the Oak Bay Beach hotel, we climbed the hill past the golf course and back to the finish line. Yvanna was feeling the effects and I grabbed a cup of water from the water station for her and she popped some gummies for energy.
She got a second wind and we picked up the pace for the last 3 kms. As we turned the corner for the last few blocks, we could hear the upbeat rock music and the cheers of the people waiting for the finishers. I told Yvanna that she is a warrior and to pass the woman who was ahead. She dug in and blasted through the shoot with her son, Keadon running beside her. It was a rewarding and emotional finish. We had passed Leslie Ann about 2 km to the finish so I knew she would be along shortly. I waited for her to come across the finish and was able to see her smiling as she finished and snap a photo. I am so proud of Yvanna and Leslie Ann for doing this challenging run on a tough course. Oh yeah, and proud of me for doing the quarter half marathon- breathing in the day and letting out a laugh.
