For the second year, STARR presented the Vince Trahan Award for fun, fitness and fellowship. This year’s recipient was Jackie Eddy, a founding member of the club and a close personal friend of Vince’s. Jackie received the award Jan. 1, 2024 before STARR’s annual New Year’s Day run and participation in the Otter Point Firefighters Association’s Polar ear Swim, one of her favourite club activities.
Vince was a founding member of STARR and well-known personality in the Vancouver Island running community. A military veteran, Vince was a man of many interests. Two of those were STARR and running. As of December 2023, he was ranked 10th all time in Vancouver Island Race Series races with 139. Vince served a couple of different stints as the STARR treasurer and wrote race reports for many years. He passed away Feb. 15, 2019.
Jackie expressed appreciation for those who nominated her and to the club. It is fitting for Jackie to receive the Vince Trahan Award as she was a constant companion in his final days. As of December 2023, Jackie was 15th in Island Race Series races with 118. She served for many years in various roles on the STARR executive, including as president.
Some of the comments received in nominations about Jackie include:
“When I think of STARR one of the constants is Jackie. She is an integral member of the club, a top contributor. She has volunteered countless hours and is someone that can be counted on to show up to runs and special events.”
“Jackie has always welcomed new club members. Her kindness and friendship is the reason many newcomers stayed with STARR.”
“You never know what to expect when you show up for a Saturday run – but there is no doubt that Jackie will have something ‘fun’ to suggest. She is never without an idea of what to go look at, which new trail to explore, which hill needs to be climbed, etc. Running is a repetitive sport, but Jackie ensures that it is never boring.”
“Jackie is fitter than most humans of all ages … Jackie is awesome. To me, Jackie is a STARR star.”