By Leslie Ann Bent
The 2023 Vancouver Island Race series got off to a wet start on Sunday with the Harriers Pioneer 8k road race. This race is also part of the BC Super series and often attracts elite athletes. It’s a flat and fast course in North Saanich. Runners were clearly itching to race. Nearly 620 runners came out despite the weather to kick off the 2023 race season.
STARR was well represented with 11 members facing the elements. Greg was our first STARR runner across the finish line with a time of 37:00, earning him a 5th place age-group finish. Stephanie was our top female runner, finishing at 39:34. Pauline crossed the finish line just 19 seconds behind her.
The race welcomed two Olympians to the event. Natasha Wodak was the first place female runner with an amazing time of 26:20, and Genevieve Lalonde was close behind, placing second with a time of 26:35. For the men, Thomas Nobbs (M20-24) had a good margin winning the race with 24:01. It was an exciting race with some very talented runners. All top 10 runners were under 26 minutes.
STARR Results:
Greg Balchin (M60-64) 37:00, 5th
Jordan Zalba (M35-39) 37:49
Stephanie Croft (F45-49) 39:34, 9th
Pauline Nielsen (F50-54) 39:53, 8th
Sonya Huser (F35-39) 40:44
Justin Heeley (M50-54) 43:57
Melanie Eskildsen (F40-44) 46:56
Maggie Curtis (F50-54) 47:18
Kari Toovey (F45-50) 52:22
Bruce Hawkes (M80-84) 59:02, 3rd
Donna Heeley (F40-44) 1:11:24
Congratulations to all of our runners. The next race in the series is Cobble Hill 10k on January 22.
