By Leslie Ann Bent
The Vancouver Island Trail Race Series finale took place in Qualicum Bay on October 25th . The event offers two distances – a short 11km option and a 26km long course. The race organizers say the race is “fast and furious.” Given the timing of the race, the organizers encouraged Halloween costumes.
This year the long course boasted 221 runners while the short course had 350 runners. The times were varied and everyone was cheered on.
Out on the short course, Nicholas Lightbody (M30-39) of Victoria, was first to cross the finish line with a time of 40:55. Laura Lee (F40-49), also of Victoria took home the gold medal on the women’s side with a time of 53:47.
The long course was won by Andrew Russell (M40-49) with an incredible time of 1:57:22 – about 7 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. Ali Adams (F30-39) of Nanaimo, was the first women to complete the long course with a time of 2:22:19.
STARR’s Dave Dick (M30-39) completed in the long course with a time of 2:37:21, earning him 14th place out of 40 runners in his age group. Congratulations, Dave for great finish to the trail race series.
