2023 Comox Valley ½ Marathon Race Report

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!

2023 Frontrunners Hatley Castle 8k Race – STARR earns 2 medals, 2 ribbons

Jordan. Photo courtesy of Joe Crazy Legs

By Leslie Ann Bent

Sunday, March 12th marked the 4th race in the Vancouver Island race series at Hatley Castle. This 8km race has everything – steep climbs, fast descents, gravel, asphalt and even a castle to keep the route interesting. The race site describes it as a character course with spectacular vistas of the Olympic Mountains and the Esquimalt Lagoon. This race was popular, attracting 445 participants and is not so far for runners coming from Sooke.

Eleven STARR members took on this challenging course and managed to dodge the rain that came later that day. Our first runner to cross the finish line was Jordan Zalba (M 35-39) with an incredible time of 37:44. A few minutes behind, our top female runner, Pauline Nielsen (F50-54) clocked in at 39:33, earning her a 2nd place age-group medal. The most senior member of our club was Bruce Hawkes (M80-84) who scooped up a second-place age group medal as well.

The competition on the course was tough. The winner, Brennen Smith of Speedfarm took first place with an amazing time of 25:55. Emily Bugoy (F30-34) was the top female runner, crossing the finish line with a fast time of 30:48, with Catrin Jones of the Prairie Inn Harriers hot on her heels, 3 seconds behind. Eleven runners finished the course in under 30 minutes.

Here’s what STARR runner, Maggie Curtis had to say about the race:

“It was a gorgeous day--the rain held off for us. The course has a lot of hills in the first 3-4 km (including a couple good ones) but then there is forest trail and downhill. My tìme was not great for me but it still felt good to finish. Hot dogs and cookies at the end too!!”

STARR Results (net)

Jordan Zalba (M35-39) 37:44

Greg Balchin (M 60-64) 38:12, 6th

Pauline Nielsen (F50-54) 39:33, 2nd

Stephanie Croft (F45-49) 40:51, 8th

Sonya Huser (F35-39) 41:31

Melanie Eskildsen (F40-44) 45:15

Justin Heeley (M50-54) 47:33

Maggie Curtis (F50-54) 49:44

Joldine Lee (F60-64) 58:50

Bruce Hawkes (M80-84) 1:03:06, 2nd

Donna Heeley (F35-39) 1:12:39

Congratulations to all of our runners.

Photos below courtesy of Joe Crazy Legs.

2023 Fat Ass Ferry Run

By Andrew Smith

On Saturday, February 18 a group of local ultra runners set off on a challenging 72k trail loop from Thetis Lake up the Malahat and across the Mill Bay Ferry and back to Thetis Lake. Known as “The Ferry Run,” the event is not a race but a challenge along trails and paths with plenty of vertical and lots of distance! At STARR, we love to run trails as well as roads and the group included three club members: Greg Balchin, Pauline Nielsen and Sarah McWhirter. Here is Greg’s description of the event:

“We got lucky with the weather. It was overcast and a little misty. Perfect for a long climb from the Thetis Lake parking lot to the top of the Malahat. Sixteen runners, mostly from the Fat Ass club, and a few STARRs sprinkled in for good measure, took off Saturday morning at 8 am. The pace was steady, not fast; these were experienced ultra-runners, they knew how to conserve energy. The route was over 70kms and a climb of more than 2,200 meters. This was a fun run, not a race. We were going for distance over terrain that ranged from rough technical logging roads to wide open fine gravel paths. We were shooting for the 3 o’clock Mill Bay ferry but arrived early enough to catch the 2 pm one. That was a nice ride, and an opportunity to eat lunch. Our volunteers kindly set up a food and water stop at the top of the Malahat, met us at the Mill Bay ferry, the Munn Rd parking lot, and finally back at the Thetis Lake parking lot. They provided water, different drinks, fruit, and as a bonus, a hot cuppa tea at the Munns Rd parking lot!! That, for sure, helped me finish the run! They also provided rides for those runners who only wanted to run part of the course. Thanks to their efforts, our journey was far more comfortable. Most of the runners were carrying 8-10lbs of water, snacks, raincoats etc., in their hydration vests. We arrived at the Thetis parking lot in the dark. The last hour we ran with our headlights on. Those beams of light throw strange shadows on the trail, making tripping hazards trickier to navigate. I like it though, it makes you so focused on your breathing, and your next step, that you forget how far you have run, and how far you have left to run”

Sounds like an epic adventure Greg! Thanks for sending your account and photos so the rest of us can share the experience vicariously. Kudos to our three participants for representing STARR and congratulations to all who took part!

2023 Cedar 12K

By Leslie Ann Bent

Sunday, February 12, marked the third race of the Vancouver Island Race Series. The Cedar 12km race in the Naniamo region is a fast, flat out and back course, with lake and farm field views. The race attracted 431 runners of all ages and abilities. It’s a great course for anyone wanting that longer series run. STARR had 8 members participate.

There were some fast times at the top end of the field. The first runner was Logan Roots (M30-34) with an amazing time of 38:56. Logan may be familiar to some as he won last year’s Westcoast Sooke 10k and is active in this race series. The first female runner to cross the finish line was Meg Lewis Schneider (F25-29) with a time of 43:57. Both runners train with the Esprit Running Club out of Victoria.

STARR took home one medal and two ribbons. Bruce placed 2nd in his age group while Pauline placed 5th in her age group and Stephanie was 7th in hers.

STARR results:

Pauline Nielsen (F50-54) 59:29 (5th)

Stephanie Croft (F45-49) 1:00:09 (7th)

Justin Heeley (M50-54) 1:08:49

Melanie Eskildsen (F40-44) 1:09:51

Maggie Curtis (F50-54) 1:10:55

Joldine Lee (F60-64) 1:28:34

Bruce Hawkes (M80-84) 1:35:28 (2nd)

Donna Heeley (F40-44) 1:49:08

Congratulations to all of our runners.

Cobble Hill 10k Race Report

By Andy Smith

575 runners took advantage of sunny calm conditions at Cobble Hill on Sunday January 22nd to race the Cobble Hill 10k, the second event of the Island VIRS race series. The course was a mostly flat 10k loop (10.4k according to my watch) starting/finishing at Mill Bay Nature School. Temperature was 5 degrees, and the sun made an appearance around race time. The course was modified this year to avoid congestion in the village eliminating two hills and making this a faster course than previous years. These early season races attract a lot of elite runners and that was the case at Cobble Hill. A strong contingent from Canada’s National Triathlon Team participated in the race as well as many strong club level runners. The favourite in the men’s race was Daniel Muluchet Zewdu, a young Ethiopian runner recently arrived in Victoria after living for several years with his family in Israel as refugees. Daniel has a super-fast 10k personal best of 29:30 and is coached by former Olympian Bruce Deacon. However, victory on Sunday went to another young rising star Solen Wood, who passed Daniel in the final kilometers to win the men’s race in a time of 30:47. Solen is a member of Canada’s national triathlon team. The team soon leaves for training camps in Cuba and Bermuda in advance of the international triathlon season, so this race was a bit of a warmup. Victory in the women’s race went to Colette Reimer, another rising star from Canada’s National Triathlon team, in a time of 37:17. Both Solen and Colette compete in the 20-24 age categories.

Many of the competitors at the Cobble Hill Race represent Island running clubs like Harriers, Ceevacs, or Comox Valley. More than 25 clubs competed at Sunday’s race. STARR was well represented by 11 competitors across 8 different age categories bringing home two medals in a very competitive field with many age categories having 20 or more entries. Andy Smith placed second in the M60-64 age group and Bruce Hawke placed second in the M80-84 age group. Several other club members won ribbons for placing top ten in their age group. Pauline Nielsen finished 4th in F 50-54; Stephanie Croft finished 9th in W45-49 and Greg Balchin placed 10th in M60-64. Everyone enjoyed the event. It’s a great location with quiet traffic, decent parking and a local high school to host pre-race and post-race activities. The CEEVACS club did a great job sponsoring the race providing volunteers, food, and home baking at the finish line. Congratulations on a fun event and to all our STARR finishers! Full results for STARR runners are listed below.

Photos below courtesy of Joe Crazy Legs

Sicily Race Report January 2023

From Ken:

Hello fellow runners,

I've been reading all the reports of your activities & applaud you all for your efforts. I've been training regularly, usually every 3 days. I've changed my routine of late & run 8km, then 10km, then 12km which usually gets me about 100km a month, Yah, I realize there's some of you "Ultras" do this in one race.

I've been in 4 competitive races & one social run. Hopefully will include a few pics. My first in Floridia, a Strada 10km which I came 2nd in 1.10.33 which I was very happy with, as there was a temp. reading at a pharmacy sign that said 27 C. & yes, there was more than 2 people in my age group ( 80 - 84 ).

 Next race, Oct. 23rd was at Augusta also a Strada run in which I also came 2nd. Next was the Catania marathon, Dec. 11th, which has a Half & half of a Half ( 10.5 ) which I ran & came 3rd. It took us through some of the historic places & monuments in the city, Piazza Duomo, Bellinni theatre, a beautiful fountain much to the disapproval of a lot of drivers as the streets were closed for our safety. 

 The next race Dec. 18th was in Avola, famous for it's almonds & also a famous wine called Nero D' Avola, which has an interesting story behind it, maybe to be told at one of our meetings in Sooke. This race started at Piazza Umberto & we ran about 1km to the outskirts of town where we picked up a medical & police escort, from there it was 7.5km uphill with switchbacks until we got to Cava Grande on top of one of the Iblean mountains. This was one of the hardest runs I've done. I came in 1st of 2, there was one other runner in the age category above us, Bravo to him.

 This is getting a little long winded, so will close for now. Stay hungry, Stay foolish,

Ken Pungente

P.S.  A lot of these races or monitored by a company called TDS ( Timing Data Services ) & can be found on-line for results, videos & photos, also the club who sponsors the race will have videos & photos on their website. My club here Pachino Running can be found on WhatsApp for videos & photos.

2023 Harriers Pioneer 8K

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.  

2022 Harriers Stewart Mountain Challenge

By Greg Balchin and Marika Nagasaka

Greg’s story

Well, I thought that I had registered for the Gunner Shaw race, which was the week before Stewart Mountain! That's the last time I register for a race on my cell phone without using my glasses!

I really wasn’t ready for this run. I usually decrease training distances in the winter. But there I was, shivering alongside everyone else at the starting line, waiting for the proverbial gun to go off.

It wasn’t cold, cold – +5C, but the humidity was high and overcast, so it was a wet-cold. I must be getting old. 40 years ago, I wouldn’t have even noticed the weather!

The trails around Thetis Lake, all the way up to Gowlland Park in the Uplands, are perfect for trail runners. There are some exposed rough, rocky bits, swampy bits, rooty bits, and technically challenging bits, but lots of the trail sections just beg to be run hard and fast!

Many of the runners, having huffed and puffed their way up Stewart Mountain, found themselves with less than half a tank of gas at the top, with nothing but 8km of fast, undulating, hard left, hard right down hill trails ahead. Electric Light Trail, for instance, begged to be run hard (I had to walk a piece of it, just to get my breath back). Most of the trails were well marked, but some could have used a few more pink ribbons. Quite a number of people took a wrong turn, fortunately, most of these trails cross each other at some point, so they got back on course. (No, I didn't get lost on this run!).

I managed to trip twice, once in the snow on the way down from Stewart Mt, taking out three runners that I was trying to pass, and once on the Electric Light trail. I kicked a springy root, and did a face plant. Good thing the ground was spongy! That same piece of trail had no markers, so running alone, I thought I'd gone astray, but then I heard a cow bell in the distance. I stepped up my pace thinking woo-hoo! I'm on course, minutes later I caught up to a guy on a bicycle, who had tied a cow bell to his handlebars! Fortunately, an aid station appeared on the roadway ahead of me, and the volunteers cheered me on.

The rest of the run was uneventful, save for a back-and-forth duel with a friend of mine. I managed to keep ahead of him till the last 300 metres, then he pulled ahead of me, and beat me by about 50 metres at the end. He played me well. That's usually my signature move! I need to train harder. Revenge is best served, ice cold at the last second, at warp 9.

Pauline, Bruce, Marika and I all had a great run. It was a good race in almost perfect running weather.

Marika’s Story

Stewart Mountain 10 Mile race was yet another 2022 race with good weather, chilly but clear for the 11:30am start. There was some snow at the top, which made the steep part down even more difficult than usual (and I find this part hard even when it is clear and dry! But the snow did make it quite pretty although a bit hard on the eyes). Other than that, the course was in pretty darn good shape. There's a puddle close to the end that has a bypass which I took for the first time ever since the course was so dry (although there was a soggy creek crossing just before the big puddle). I was feeling very sluggish and had planned to take this run easy, no PB's for me today. At the end I had the back of Pauline in my sights and she thankfully got me to the finish line.

There was hot tomato soup and grilled cheese and other standard post race snacks at the end of the race. I wasn't feeling hungry or great in general so I did not have the stomach for any snacks.

Unofficial results:

10 Mile

Greg B 1:44:28

Pauline N 1:55:40

Marika N 1:55:43

5 Mile

Bruce Hawkes 1:27:17

2022 STARR Gunner Shaw

By Leslie Ann Bent

Saturday, November 26th marked the 38th annual Gunner Shaw Classic trail race at Thetis Lake. This is a tough hilly race that throw everything at runners - rocks, roots, puddles, branches, boulders, six significant hills and stunning views. Nearly 200 runners were up for the challenge.

Two STARR runners participated. This race seems to be one of Marika's favourites so here is what she had to say about this highly recommended event.

"It was a pretty nice day with break in the weather for the race. The course wasn't very wet compared to past years. Puddle #1 wasn't very long but WAS very stinky. Puddle #2 wasn't very big either but very muddy. They had gilled cheese for after race snacks so that was nice."

STARR results

Marika Nagasaka 55:36

Bruce Hawkes, 1:28'20"

Congratulations to our runners.

Thetis Lake Relay 2022

By Andy Smith

Five awesome teams from STARR completed the annual Relay Race held on Remembrance Day; at Thetis Lake. This event is hosted each year by the Prairie Inn Harriers as a fun event to engage the Island running community. For those who have not attempted this event; it is suitable for all ages and ability levels. Teams compete in a relay format with up to four runners completing a 4.5k circuit (each) of Thetis Lake’s perimeter hiking trail. The trail is challenging but not intimidating; a good test of legs and lungs, but short enough to keep runners together. The location and format make for a fun event where you can support teammates and cheer on the competition representing other running clubs on everything from family teams, kids’ teams, open teams, masters and super veteran teams and even a few soloists! You can enjoy a hot chocolate and cookies on the beach as you watch the handoffs. Some teams even had tents and propane firepits to keep warm! STARR has a long tradition of participating in this race and in 2022 we had a good range of open women’s, men’s and mixed teams as well as two men’s super-veteran teams (60+). At the time of publishing this report, the official results were not yet available.

“Thetis Therapy”; a Super Veteran team composed of Greg, Jim, Claude and Andy brought home the gold this year followed in second place by “Slugs in Motion” (LOL) , another men’s super ( or is that super men?) veteran team composed of Mark, Steve, Bruce, and Paul.

“Don’t Call Us Shirley” competed in the women’s open category (with team members all from Shirley): Leslie Ann, Stephanie, Marika, and Val.

“Quads of Fury” was a multi-generational women’s open team composed of Sarah, Mel, Mackenzie (Mel’s granddaughter), and Lisa.

“A Fleet of Feet” competed as a women’s open team composed of Jackie, Bri, Alex, and Karla. Danny Eddy was first alternate and cheered everyone on while volunteering behind the coffee and cookies counter. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed catching up with other STARR members.

Qualicum Bay Trail Race

By Greg Balchin

Saturday, October 22 marked the last race in the Vancouver Island Trail series this year.

We expected a wet, windy, run. The weather forecast called for it, but instead, we had a perfect running conditions. Cool, dry, and sunny. 

The race offers two distances – 25km long course and the 11km short course – with breath taking views and great trails.  Together, both races attracted nearly 400 participants for the grand finale of the series. We had 5 STARR members out running the courses.

The course has about 350 metres of elevation gain, but you don't notice it much, because you are so focused on dodging trees and roots. The best description of the course is that, where Port Alberni, (everyone's most favorite course), is up and down, up and down, the Qualicum trail, is left and right, left and right. Both have a river run along a creek, and along straight gravel road section. Some people didn't care for that road bit on the way back, but I liked it. You could switch to road leg muscles, straighten out, and reset your breathing and metabolism, before diving back into the relentlessly twisty trail system in the woods. 

Marika - First place in her category for the series!

I think this run is now my second most favorite trail to run in the series. Port Alberni is still number one, but there were some really fun sections on the Qualicum trail, that really tested your ability to stay on your feet. Hard, short, up, down, left, right and runs that left me wanting to speed up and push harder. But the threat of more roots ahead and the constant need to balance speed  with endurance kept the pacing relatively steady.

With 164 runners doing the long course, we thought the narrow, single track trails would be a problem for passing people. The trail on either side was a pretty gnarly tripping hazard. But the open road areas under the power lines and the runners themselves, made sure anyone who wished to pass could do so safely. About 8km into the race, everyone was well spread out, or running in little same speed clumps anyway.

 

Results

Long course

Greg Balchin (M60-69)                      2:59:45, 3rdplace

MarikaNagasaka (F40-49)                 3:02:45

Pauline Nielsen (F50-59)                   3:07:31, 1stplace

Sarah McWhirter (F30-39) 3:32:34

Short Course

Maggie Curtis (F50-59)                      1:33:11

Predict Your Time, October 15, 2022

What a great day for a run.  The weather gods were with us as STARR runners and walkers took to the Potholes for some friendly competition – mostly against themselves but also to see who had the best handle on their own paces. STARR offered two distances the short course - 5.8km and the long course – 8.6km.

Thanks to Andrea, Lisa, Jackie and Andy, we had a well-marked course and top-notch timing!  We had 17 participants and 3 on-site volunteers. It was great to see so many people out enjoying the trails. Winners were:

Jenny Adams (8.6km) – 1st place, 21 seconds off her predicted pace

Claude Laforce and Jackie Eddy  (8.6km) – 2nd place tie, 34 second off their predicted times

Jordan (5.8km) – 1st place, 69 seconds off his predicted time

Sonya (5.8km) – 2nd place – 82 seconds off her predicted time.

Overall Results: