By Leslie Ann Bent
The final race of the Vancouver Island series was held on Sunday, April 23 in Sidney. The race is fast and flat, and runs along the Lochside shoreline. The out and back course allows runners to see their teammates and lead runners as everyone makes their way along the course. This event draws a big crowd of competitive and recreational runners & walkers of all talents. Participants totaled 565 this year. Some said there was wind. Others enjoyed the conditions with no rain. No one is too old or too young. The event attracted 34 runners 70 and older, and 35 in the under 16 categories. It was great to see the youngsters out despite them leaving me in the dust!
It was a great event to catch up with fellow STARRs. Ten members were out to take on this challenge. I chatted with Donna, Maggie and Melanie at the start line, and caught up with Pauline as I did a walking warm up. Andy gave me a high five before the race began. It’d been ages since I’d connected with friends at a race start. It’s great to see so many friends and people who inspire you.
The race was quick. Pounding feet and gentle waves set the background sounds early on in the race. To our right, colourful tulips dotted lawns – a sure sign that spring had arrived and a scenic route for the race. I was delighted and energized by a small cheering squad from UVic shouting my name as I passed the first kilometre mark giving me the boost I needed to pick up the pace. Not long after that I settled into a rhythm and cheered with a wave and a smile to each STARR runner as we passed each other on the course. It was a great course from start to finish – a race with lots of energy from the runners and spectators. The volunteers were terrific too.
Andy was the first STARR runner to cross the finish line with a time of 18:56. Like the Sooke 10k, Lucy Smith was breathing down his neck throughout the race, pushing him, without her knowing it. She crossed just 2 seconds behind him. Our first female runner was Stephanie Croft with an amazing time of 22:46.
Thanks to Joe Crazy Legs for all of our action shots. Click to enlarge photos.
The competition was fierce and impressive. The winner of the Bazan Bay was Yemane Mulugen (M16-19) of Surrey, B.C. with a time of 14:36. The top female runner was Jennifer Erickson (F30-34) from Victoria with a time of 16:41. The top 16 runners ran the course in under 16 minutes. The top 8 female runners all ran under 18 minutes.
Here’s what Donna had to say about the race. “Today’s race was great weather and the view is amazing. Finished at 42:28 which was fantastic, not what I was expecting but very happy.”
Bazan Bay Results (net)
Andy Smith (M60-64) 18:56, 2nd
Greg Balchin (M60-64) 22:11, 7th
Jordan Zalba (M35-39) 22:19
Stephanie Croft (F45-49) 22:46, 8th
Sonya Huser (F35-39) 23:44
Pauline Nielsen (F50-54) 23:53, 6th
Melanie Eskildsen (F40-44) 26:33
Maggie Curtis (F50-54) 27:48, 10th
Bruce Hawkes (M80-84) 39:14, 2nd
Donna Heeley (F40-44) 42:25
Leslie Ann Bent (F55-59) 44:36
STARR runners were also honoured with race series age-group awards:
Bruce Hawkes (M80-84) 1st
Andy Smith (M60-64) 2nd
Pauline Nielsen (F50-54) 2nd
Greg Balchin (M60-64) 7th
Stephanie Croft (F45-49) 7th
Melanie Esklidsen (F40-44) 8th
Congratulations to all of our runners! Bruce remains the most prolific runner in Island Series history. He has run 221 races accumulating 2,422 kms. STARR placed ninth in the Island Series Cup and 12th in the VIRA Cup.
For awards photos below, the blue ribbons are for Bazan Bay 5k awards and red ribbons are series awards
