Some of the in-person runners, walkers, and volunteers at the STARR Around the Bay simulation run. A great day was had by all!
By Leslie Ann Bent
What a great day we had on Saturday for our 4 th annual Around the Bay (ATB) simulation event. The sun was out – no rain and very comfortable not only for running but waiting in “the chute.” ATB is a very famous 30km race held in Hamilton each year. Many elite runners use the race as their last training run before the Boston Marathon (held in April) and the race generates lots of excitement. The race is considered to be North America’s oldest race as it dates back to the late 1890s!
Here in Sooke we’ve organized our own modification of the race with solo (30k), 2-person relay (15km/person), and 3-personal relay (15km/person). A record 24 members participated, most in-person but a few virtually from exotic places such as Denmark and Canmore, AB. Paul and I were the official volunteers for timing, photos, starting gun and cheering. The out and back route took us on a well-known portion of the Galloping Goose trail, largely free of traffic and allowed runners and walkers tocheer each other on as they passed one another enroute. The on-site members enjoyed water, chocolate and cookies at the end as well as some door prizes.
I was very impressed with all of our runners and walkers. There is something to be said about being on a team, knowing your team mates are counting on you. From old to young, to pregnant (two mothers-to-be), to coming off injury, to new members and seasoned members, we all managed embrace the day and have some social time together as well. There are many photos of the event. Thanks everyone for making this event such a successful one. See you virtually in Hamilton next year!
Solo: David D. - 2:35:32
2-person relay: Sooke Snails (Tory, Claude) - 2:49
3-person relay
The Team with No Name (Kayla, Sarah, Ian) - 2:35:03
Andy, Jim, David W - 2:41:15
Kari, Maggie, Jill - 2:55:05
Mother Runners + Jordan (Bri, Sonya, Jordan, Karla) – 3:13:35
Sherman’s STARRs (Ken, Sue, Jan) - 3:56:11
3-person walk/run: The Coddiwomples (Danny, Jackie, Steve) 4:51
2-person walk (32.3km – over-achievers!): Melanie C, Sharon – 5:00
