Bruce
By Andy Smith
The Comox Valley RV Half Marathon is one of the best organized and supported events on the spring running calendar. A huge field of Five Hundred and Forty-Seven runners crossed the start line on Sunday, March 19 for race five of the Vancouver Island Race Series. It is the longest course in the series and, for many runners, the biggest challenge of the running season. Despite its length, this route is a favourite with snow covered Mount Washington in the background and quiet rural roads passing horse farms and lush forest scenery. It’s downhill to the finish and conducive to fast times. The host Comox Valley Road Runners always put on a great spread of post-race food and the volunteers along the route and at the finish line cheered everyone on enthusiastically.
Overcast but dry and eight degree temperatures….perfect for running! Many age group results were hotly contested by runners from all over the Island. The men’s race was won by Jackson Bocksnick from Victoria (M30-34) in a stellar time of 1.08.40. The women’s race was won by Kylie Ackford (F35-39) from Victoria in an equally impressive time of 1.20.19. Most inspirational performance of the day was Roslyn Smith from Comox (F75-79) who set a new Canadian age group ½ marathon record with a sensational time of 1.44.28!
Ten runners represented STARR across eight different age categories. Congratulations to Pauline Nielsen who took first place in the F50-54 age category and Bruce Hawkes who placed first in M80-84 age category! In addition to our two medalists, three Starr runners won ribbons for placing top ten in their age group
Overall, it was a wonderful event and a fun day to get out to celebrate spring with such an enthusiastic group of runners. Congratulations to all our STARR competitors and to Comox Valley Road Runners for staging a fine event!
