This weekend was the 5th race in the Vancouver Island Trail Series – Mount Washington. The race has two distances. The Gutbuster is 14km with an elevation gain of 820 meters. For those looking for a less challenging option the sport course covers 8km and the gain is 500 meters. The website describes the course quite crisply. “Above the treeline at Mt Washington! You’ll be treated to some unbelievable views of the Comox Valley & Strathcona Park. Some great climbing, and lots of fun single track. Definitely the most scenic and rewarding race in the series.” This year the races had 216 runners.

STARR had only one runner in the race this past weekend – Jonathan Dvorak. Jonathan tore up the trail for the long course, placing second in his age group, and finishing 16th out of a field of 99 runners. His finishing time was 1:26:12. The winner of the long course was Sean Chester of Victoria with a finishing time of 1:11:09.

The short course was won by Victoria’s Chris Walsh with a time of 50:49.

Here is what Jonathan had to say about the race. “Hey!! The race was lots of fun. Steep and hilly with a couple big downhill runs that burned the legs. The fog made it very interesting views. As always, lots of positive energy with the other runners!

“I look forward to these races. It seemed like it was bigger than the past couple of years, or it could have just been the fun vibe at Mt Washington!! Nice to hear live music and seeing the people walking around the resort! Maybe my favorite race of the trail series… between this and Cobble Hill.”

Congrats once again to Jonathan for an amazing race.

By Leslie Ann Bent

The Vancouver Island Trails series was back this weekend with the 4th race of the series. The Transfer Beach race offers flowy trails around Ladysmith and along Holland Creek. If you have time, don’t miss the water falls. The race offers the sport short course option of 9km, and the gutbuster long course of 19km, which includes an additional 3km of scenery and challenge compared to the prior year. This year 98 runners took part in the long course and 133 in the short.

Our STARR trail threesome was there with their game faces on for the long course – all bringing home some hardware in the long course. Jonathan was the first STARR across the finish line with an impressive time of 1:48:00. He placed 8th overall and took home the 3rd place medal in the M40-49. Greg Balchin was next with a 2:09:16 time, earning him the 2nd place medal in his age group M50-59. Pauline was breathing down his neck, coming in just behind Greg with a time of 2:10:04. She was the eighth woman and finished second in F50-59.

Ken Pungente completed the sport route in a time of 1:15:47. He finished first overall in the M70 plus category.

For those of you who know Bob Butterworth from Sooke, you may be interested to know that he ran 1:21:16 in the short course (over 80 category).

The top runner in the long course was Sean Chester with a time of 1:31:35 for the men and top female runner was Patricia Roney with 1:46:52 = both from Victoria. The short course winner was youngster Adam (no last name apparently, M16-19) from Brno with a time of 42:20. Heather Lither was 5 minutes behind him with a time of 47:20, taking home first place for the women.

I asked Pauline for some feedback on the race and this is what she had to say. “I had a great time at the race. I especially enjoyed teasing Greg at the water station, slapping him on the back and saying ‘Good job.’ He hates that and it was enough to spur him on to a strong finish. I personally just wanted to beat my time from last year. I improved by 20 minutes – very happy with that. They created an 80 and over category for Bob. They didn’t realize he was that old.”

Congratulations to all of our runners!

By Andrea

The Kusam Klimb is a 23-km “up, over and around” trail race that takes place in beautiful Sayward, B.C. every June on the Solstice weekend. The slogan for this race is “Are you tough enough?” …it is not for the faint of heart.

This year there were 530 people who finished the course. This was the 15th Klimb and for almost all of the 10 STARR members it was their first time taking on this grueling adventure! The route starts out from the Community Hall in Sayward and runs for about 2km on the road before you take a turn onto the mountain trail.

This trail is known as “Bill’s Trail”. As a long time resident and businessman Bill West-Sells built the trail in order to access water when he bought the property at the base of the mountain. Bill still lives in Sayward and was present at “checkpoint 1” along the trail. Bill has spent 20 years cutting the trail and improving the conditions for the enjoyment of all of us!

Once you access Bill’s trail the climbing begins….and then it goes on and on and on….a relentless and difficult journey to the top. It is 1,500 meters straight up. The views are stunning and there are several viewpoints to take in as well as a beautiful lake near the peak. We lucked out this year with the weather both on the day and leading up to the race. This resulted in very little snow at the top.

After reaching the top, you are rewarded with a stunning view above the clouds…it feels as though you can see forever. Of course what goes up must come down…and the descent starts off quite steep and goes on for about 5km. There are some ropes near the peak to help with the steepness…they were a welcome relief as it gave us the chance to use our arms instead of our leg muscles which felt a bit wobbly with fatigue at this point.

Once you reach the bottom of the mountain you have to complete about 10 km more that takes you down old logging roads over little creeks and through the forest. The last km is back on the road to get back to the community hall and the finish line!

STARR had 10 runners competing with all but one being first timers. Jonathon Dvorak finished in 20th place overall in an impressive time of 2:59:10. Next came Pauline Nielsen in 51st place with a time of 3:29:03…Pauline took a big spill on the trail with the resulting “road rash etc.. that goes along with it and still came in strong! So awesome! Greg Balchin was next to finish with a time of 3:44:05, 77th place!

Steve Eriksen in at 4:39:52 placed 171st and took well over an hour off his previous finish time (this was Steve’s 3rd time)…way to go Steve! Jason Seysener crossed the finish line in 4:39:53 and placed 172nd. The next in was Wayne Spychka, coming in 254th overall with a time of 5:17:42. David White was next in at 5:22:02 which put him in 263rd place.

Andrea White was the next STARR to finish in 374th place with a time of 6:42:44. Kari Toovey and Megen Seysener completed the course together coming across the finish line in 9:20:47 and 9:20:48 finishing strong in 482 and 483rd place.

This was such an adventure for all that took part!!! Special mention to Carol Spychka who kept track of everyone’s finish times and posted for us to see…I look forward to climbing with you next year Carol! All in all this was a great day and great bonding time for STARR runners, we enjoyed the buffet dinner at the hall afterwards and many of us won door prizes! In fact, most if not all of the STARR members that took part have already committed to doing it all again next year!

The Sooke Trail and Road Runners had two STARRs shine at the “Navy 10K”.

Jonathan Dvorak finished an impressive seventh overall. He won the M40-49 age group in a gun time of 39:42. Nick Walker of Frontrunners was first overall in 33:28.

STARR’s Stephanie Croft was second in the F40-49 age category in a time of 50:11. The first female finisher was Sara Kelly, 15th overall, with time of 41:33.

The CFB Esquimalt Navy Run is a family-oriented event. It includes a 10K and a 5K. As well, there is a kids run and childminding.

By Mark Ziegler

The Vancouver Island Race Series continued on Saturday, June 8th with the Westwood Lake Race on the north side of Nanaimo.

Both the short and long course (10K and 17, respectively) were beautiful and well marked.  There were only a few extended climbs and the footing was mostly fine.  The weather was perfect – dry and cool. 

Three runners wearing the STARR logo completed the long course Jonathan Dvorak, Greg Carson and Mark Ziegler. The picture above shows them on the beach before the race, hoping to  land work for the summer as lifeguards.   

Nick Walker (30-39) who is well-known to many STARR members was the first finisher in the long course, with a time of 1:20:03 (one second ahead of Sean Chester).  Jonathan was not far behind; he finished in a very impressive 7th place with a time of 1:28:04.  Terrific!

The top woman was Mandy Johnson (40-49) with a fine time of 1:42:59.  

Greg Carson (40-49) ran a strong race, crossing the finish line at 1:58:16. He finished 63rd overall.

Mark thumped in at 2:13:27 (60-69) with a smile on his face and without injury (85th overall).  

The short course had 100 runners versus 85 for the long course.  The winner of the 10K was a fantastic young woman, Justine Stecko (16-19), who tore through the 10K with a time of 40:46.  A woman also finished second:  Bailey Washbrook  (30-39), who crossed the line at 52:04, ahead of Doug Stuart
(20-29) with 52:08. 

The Island Trail Series provides a chance to get away from hard road surfaces and see some breathtaking scenery.  

By Leslie Ann Bent

What a perfect day for a race.  As we pulled into the parking-lot we couldn’t help but see a stream of “salmon” moving around the grounds of Belmont School (Langford) where the 8th annual Goddess Run took place. This year’s race shirt colour was salmon pink, fitting for the BC coast. Many of the 1,000 runners were wearing their shirts proudly – pink everywhere you looked.  The run weekend features 3 options – BMO 5k, WestHILLS 10k, and a virtual race. The races are chip timed. The 10k course is hilly with part trail, part park, quiet country roads, and part residential streets through the new Westhills development – mostly out and back.  It is not a course to run a PB. The 5k course follows the first 3km of the 10k route before turning back to the finish line.  This type of route allows you see other runners ahead and behind you, and to cheer for friends as well as the top of the field.  STARR was out on full force with 5 runners plus a STARette, Teresa’s daughter, Olivia. We also had the all male cheering squad – Andy, Mike and Wayne, equipped with signs and ready to encourage us along the way at various spots. This made for great social time with STARR friends and family before and after the race. The unique features of this race include nearly all female runners and walkers, and 4 draw prizes for diamonds. Although the event has a fun and comradery vibe, there were also serious runners along the course including Lucy Smith (internationally ranked distance runner, triathlete and duathlete with world titles under her belt).

 I started the race near the back of the pack which was a mistake given the number of walkers and first-time racers. The first 1km of the race was more about weaving around people than focusing on the race and the scenery.  I did hear one walker comment, “I can’t believe there are so many runners!” as runners were flying around her from every direction. Around the 1km mark, I heard my name and there were Andy and Mike holding their signs and cheering!  Just after the first km, the course changes from residential roads to a rolling shaded trail. The terrain was beautiful and the legs warmed up quickly as we tackled the up and down flow of the trail, passing Paradise Ponds as we ran.  At the top a short steep hill near the 3km mark, the 10k course turned onto Humpback and into the more technical part of the course. This is where the 5km veered back, tempting slower 10k runners to follow the 5k group but I didn’t take the bait.  This part was a lovely shaded park for the next several kms.  It was on this stretch that I could cheer or high-five Stephanie, Carol and Jenny as they wound their way back. By 4km we were climbing – first a 5% grade, then 13.7%, then 15.6% before a bit of minor relief and a bit more climbing.  The route back did a detour through the newly developed Westhills area and obviously had more steep climbs, although short.  I was delighted to hear the cheering of three friendly voices, as I viewed the finish line – being the last of the STARR runners to complete the course. 

The first STARR across the finish line was Stephanie Croft with a time of 52:14. Olivia and Carol were next and nearly crossed together.  Olivia clocked 1:04:59. Carol, sporting a multicoloured grass skirt ran with a friend and came through at 1:05:25.  Jenny was focused as she charged the last few hundred meters crossing the line with 1:09:42. My time was not too stellar – 1:31 gross. No personal bests on this course for any of us.  The top runner was Sofia Donnecke of Victoria with a time of 43:21. Clearly the 12-day tapering was not a strategy I would recommend for a 10k, although I can’t promise not to try it again.

On the 5k front, Teresa crossed the finish line at 43:27.  The top runner in this race was Lucy Smith with a time of 20:26.  Congrats to all of the STARR runners.  Thanks Andy, Wayne and Mike for your support throughout the day.

I asked Jenny what she thought of the race. “Hills are Hell!” was her first response.  Then she added that she knew why it was called WestHILLS.  Carol had more to add. “I loved the course with trails and quiet shaded roads. I also loved the empowerment of all of the women. This race will be an annual one for me.”  I agreed with both. It was a great scenic course, well managed with volunteers, and if only they could cut out a few hills! (LOL)

By Leslie Ann Bent

Wow! Who expects to achieve a personal best once they hit the masters’ level? Well, ask Jonathan. He can tell you how it feels. That’s how it all came down on Sunday at the Oak Bay Half Marathon.

The Oak Bay is a beautiful area for a race and the race event has something for everyone. The Oak Bay race weekend offers a half marathon solo and 4-person relay, a 10k race, and a 1k kids’ event. I heard through the grapevine that the course is a challenging one but the website is shy to point that out. The half marathon starts with a short loop through the downtown and historical section of Oak Bay before turning onto the waterfront near McNeil Bay. The course is then an out and back along the picturesque waterfront passing Uplands Park before turning back and ending at Windsor Park. The 10k course follows part of that half marathon course with the Victoria Golf Course marking the turn around. The race size is decent with nearly 600 finishers in the half marathon, 34 relay teams and almost 450 in the 10k race. The weather along the water certainly favoured the runners with a high of 19C and barely a breath of wind, as Swiftsure Yacht racers out in the strait were dying for wind that didn’t materialize.

I believe our only STARR runner was Jonathan. He crossed the finish line with a time of 1:26:14, earning him a personal best time, and an age group first-place finish for the M40-49. Also impressive was his 16th overall place finish out of 599 runners. Congrats! The winning time came from Adam O’Meara crossing the line at 1:18:55.

In the 10k event, Ducan’s James Richardson placed first with a time of 38:09. For the woman, first placed was won by Mel Russel of Victoria with a time of 43:58.

Here is what Jonathan had to say about the race. “It was a fantastic course – hilly in places and some fast straightaways in others. It was the first time I ran this race…loved it…lots of aid stations. The scenery was stunning. One of the more beautiful courses I have seen. Luck seemed to be on my side as everything came together well. I felt good through out and the body feels fine today. It was a PB on the 21,1km distance for me which really surprised me as I was warned it’s a tough course. Missed not seeing the other Sooke runners there.. Hopefully see everyone at Nanaimo for the trail race!”

By Andy Smith

This long May weekend Leslie and I drove to Nanaimo and stayed overnight to see another part of the Island and also so I could compete in a local triathlon at Westwood Lake, on the outskirts of town. The Westwood triathlon is the first triathlon of the season and attracts a decent crowd since it’s part of the BC Dynamic series. There is a Sprint and a Standard distance race and I chose the longer Standard event which is 1500m swim, 38.5k bike, and 10.4k trail run around Westwood Lake Park. The swim and run are two laps and the bike course is an out and back on quiet, hilly roads outside Nanaimo. It is a very scenic area with forested hills on one side and the ocean and snow capped mountains of the mainland across the Strait of Georgia on the other side.

Thought I would tell you about the race, since it was quite entertaining and a number of STARR members were asking about it. Most of you know I am not a good swimmer so I was shooting for about 35 minutes swim split…depending how many wrong turns I took. I told Leslie to look for me “at the back”. Unfortunately I have trouble swimming in a straight line which often adds considerable distance to my race. Maybe I should have asked Leslie to look for me off to one side? I started the swim leg near the back of the pack to avoid getting “run” over. After a few hundred yards hyperventilating I settled down and even managed to “race” some lady swimmers (they were probably having a bad day!). It took me 500 m before I could focus on my ”technique” and I even started to pass a few people. I only veered off course once…which I discovered when I bumped into an unmarked buoy that was not on the race course. The ladies dropped me as I swam back towards the correct buoy😖. Predictably I finished the swim in the bottom quarter of the field, but surprisingly faster than my 35 minute target!. I guess all those laps in the SEAPARC pool are starting to pay off!. I usually feel woozy exiting the water after the swim leg and today was no exception. Imagine my transition – balancing on one foot trying to get bike shoes on…then running in bike shoes …then mounting my bike….all while experiencing major vertigo! It was not a fast transition.

After a few kms on the bike my vertigo disappeared (phew!) and I started to push the pace, making inroads on the back markers. Cycling on the Island is more technical than Southern Ontario due to the hilly topography. Local knowledge helps because you know what is around the next corner. Otherwise its easy to “overcook it” into an innocent looking corner only to discover its actually a hairpin or there is a 15 degree climb on the other side (and you are in a big chainring). There were a few hair-raising moments resulting in a dropped chain on one unexpected climb. However I had a strong ride, catching many competitors on the uphills (and I passed those ladies!) …but getting off the bike I got dizzy again… d’oh! There I was in transition for the second time…balancing on one leg, this time trying to take my cycling shoes off and get my runners on…with vertigo. I am sure it was entertaining for the spectators…

Somehow, I managed to get through transition quickly – 45 seconds of hopping I guess. I have been running well this winter and expected the running leg of the triathlon to be my strongest, but it took me several km’s before I stopped feeling woozy…and its a rolling running trail… with roots and everything…Not running very fast. The running stage is two laps around the Westwood lake hiking trail, with two “shortcuts” to make the distance correct (10.4km is the correct distance?). The shortcuts are single-track paths including one nasty uphill (15 degrees? Maybe 20?) that even the elite athletes had to scramble up at walking pace. The pack spread out quickly. The elite athletes passed me, completing their second lap, as I was finishing my first. (That’s how I know they walked the hill😉).

My second lap of the run was much faster than the first, but with the pack spread out….no one to chase and no one chasing me…. There was no point going into “beast mode”. Nonetheless I managed to pass more competitors, claw back more time, and finish the race in the top quarter of the field (and third in my age group). I was happy with that result. This was my first open water swim this year (thankfully the wetsuit still fits)! The event was well organized and everyone was friendly. There were a number of competitors from Toronto and a team of 4 from University of Oregon (yes, they ran fast!). Leslie Ann was cheering me on all day as head cheerleader and photographer. I included a few photos she took (and before you ask…yes everyone wore a pink swim cap in the standard distance race).