Cobble Hill 10K Race Report (BC Provincial 10K Championship)

We came; we saw; we did our best. Even though we were nursing a few injuries we still won medals and ribbons!

Five STARR members competed in sunny cool conditions at Cobble Hill on Sunday, January 26th to race the second event of the Island VIRS race series which was also the BC Provincial 10K Championships. Temperature was 3 degrees and the sun was shining on 603 athletes warming up for the 11am start. The course is a lollipop shape on pretty and quiet rural roads. There are rolling hills to keep things interesting and a nice downhill finish, so everyone looks good for finish line photos!

Cobble Hill is the BC Provincial 10k Championships which attracts some elite runners. There were fast visitors as well as strong club level runners from Vancouver Island. It’s always a fun vibe at the Island Race series and the local Ceevacs running club did a great job hosting 603 runners (305 women and 298 men). The winner of the men’s race was Alexandre Picard from Squamish BC in a time of 30:41. Alexandre is a trail runner named 2023 Canadian Men’s Mountain and Trail Runner of the Year after finishing 17th in Men’s Vertical at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. Apparently, he runs fast on roads as well! (Check out his Instagram if you want to see how hill running is done!) Victory in the women’s race went to Samantha Jory, a rising star from Vancouver who only started racing in 2022 and yet has become one of Canada’s top half marathon runners. She also boasts a best marathon time of 2 hours 36 minutes.

Many 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 represented by 5 competitors across multiple age categories bringing home two medals/ribbons in a very competitive field with many age categories having 20 or more entries. Andy Smith placed third in the M60-64 age group and Barbara Cina placed seventh in the W45-49 age group. Other club members turned in strong results despite nursing some nagging injuries. 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.

Name Time Category Age Group Place

Andy Smith 42:26 M60-64 3rd

Barb Cina 43:45 W45-49 7th

Jill Potter Hellmann 58:13 W60-64

Maggie Curtis 58:43 F50-54

Kari Toovey 1:00:31 F50-54





January Blues - Final Week Recap

Everyone has had an incredible month of running, jogging and walking to hit their distance goals. Danny was the STARR of the event, clocking 506kms solo a couple of days before the cut off. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) made it to the finish line with a few days to spare. The Hobblers still have a couple participants to report their final 5 days but I believe they are done with only a few clicks officially to go! We’ve reported 4,700km of cumulated distance. Rumours are that everyone had fun. We sure had favourable weather for this year’s challenge.

The Nile teams completed their challenge in the city of Aswan – a picturesque, slow paced tourist city but with lots of things to see and do. One of the most famous sites is the Philae Temple. Whether or not the teams took advantage of the archeological features or simply completed their journey sailing sown the Nile, they can rest assured it was a successful team effort.

The last teams to finish in England enjoyed the small community of Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish border. They were surprised to see only a small sign indicating the end of the famous route – no plaques nor monuments. The night at the Border Hotel was most welcome after 31 days en route.

The draw for entrances into the Run Saysutshun trail race and the Oak Bay Road race will take place on Tuesday, February 11 at the STARR meeting (7pm, Sooke library). I will bring prizes that have not yet been picked up.

Congratulations to everyone.

January Blues Recap Week 5

We’ve had another phenomenal week. All three teams tackling the Pennine Way plus the West Coast trail have completed the routes. Solo Man is on track to finish it this week. The two Nile teams are almost done. With 5 days to go, they should reach Aswan. The two Pennine Way Only teams were at a disadvantage from the start with lower individual distance goals than their team goals so much more distance to make up. But fear not, with the Shining STARRS completing the route last week, Joyce has been added to the Hobblers and Leslie Ann to the FOMO. It’s a Long way to Aswan team has scooped up Georgia to help with last push to Aswan. The goal of the challenge has been to encourage club members to get out during the cold wet month of January, set some distance goals and have some comradery with fellow STARRS in a fun way. So far, we have reported 4,277km of distance so far this month. WE CAN MAKE IT!

Pennine Way Teams

For Every Day I’m Shuffling and Quick Quacks it was all about flying back to Vancouver Island to tackle the West Coast trail – the final leg of the journey, back to west coast time, but not before saying goodbye to the Scottish border. Robin and Nick both found the a tea shop at the end of the trail and their hidden English tea treat bags. Kayla and Jill found the Wedale Book shop on the Scottish border and each have taken home a book. Maggie got the book on Scottish Castles plus some Irish Cream chocolates as souvenirs from the British Isle trek. Jackie got a souvenir book of the Yorkshire Dales (thanks, Paul for the import!). Tea and books seemed to be the theme for those teams.

The West Coast Trail is considered the hike of a life time. It’s an iconic back country trail that even the most experienced hikers find difficult. With ropes, about 100 ladder systems, tides and weather, this is not the trip for everyone. The upside is the scenic beauty for 75km. Although only open from May to September, our STARRs have taken it on as just part of the course.

For FOMO and The Hobblers, they are still out on the Pennine Way enjoying the sights. They have all left the Pennine mountains which seems like a treat from constant ups and downs, but that is not to be. Hadrian’s Wall provides a scenic and historic week but it is not so easy on the feet and legs. One of the shocking feature is the number of tourists who seem to have come from nowhere to join the walk as this section of the trail is much more popular. There’s been some farmland and moors. The FOMO team took a break at the Greenhead Tea Room. Although biscuits, scones, and cakes are made on the premises, English tea treat bags are ready to go (this week’s hidden treasure). Danny found a similar spot for a rest and left with a cupcake (scratch card!).

We neglected to mention that Paul was able to participate last week on his home turf of northern England by substituting Leslie Ann on week 3 while she was off on medical leave from the team. He brought along a few souvenirs that have now been won. Shining STARRS really appreciated his presence and local insight. He is now back on warmer soil, sunning himself. Thanks, Paul!

Nile teams

This was another great week for the Nile teams. There is so much culturally and historically to see and do along the Nile it’s hard to pick and choose what to write about. One of the most interesting sites this week was passing the Valley of the Kings (across the river from modern day Luxor). It was part of the ancient city of Thebes and was the burial site for most of the pharaohs.

Another amazing part of the week included seeing the Temple of Edfu. It is one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt and dedicated to the falcon god Horus. The temple was built between 237 and 57BC. The inscriptions on the walls provide important information on the Hellenistic period. Because everything is so well preserved, visitors could spend a lot of time exploring the building, inscriptions, learning about related mythology and learning about this period of Greek rule. The It’s a Long Way team decided to stop here for the night. David found the hidden book in a Luxor books shop. Ian, Bri and Tory were lucky finding the hidden treat bags – licorice for Bri, citrus for Tory and mint for Ian.

The Dream has carried on toward Aswan. They only have 6km to go so should arrive tomorrow. Barb was lucky to find a pyramid shaped chocolate while Sarah is taking home a book.

Congrats to everyone who finished. Good luck to our remaining participants.

RESULTS – Where we are as of January 26

Nile (821km)

Dream Team (Sarah, Tory, Barb) 815km – 6 km to go! Just past the Temple of Kom Ombo

It’s a Long Way… (David D, Andy, Ian, Bri and newly joined Georgia) 711km, almost at the Temple of Edfu

Pennine Way plus West Coast trail (506km)

Shining STARRs (Joyce, Joldine, Georgia, Leslie Ann)– complete

Every Day I’m Shuffling (Jill, Jackie, Robin, Rick)– complete

Quick Quacks – (Kari, Shawn, Maggie, Kayla) complete

Solo Man (Danny) – 445kmm Pennine way, complete; near Darling River campsite, West Coast Trail

Pennine Way (431km)

The Hobblers (Stephanie, Karla, Michelle, Venice and newly joined Joyce) 345km, Bellingham, just past Hadrian’s Wall

FOMO (Ken, Liz, Vanessa and newly joined Leslie Ann) – 327km, between Greenhead and Bellingham

January Blues Recap Week 3

Well, we’ve had another successful week on our virtual trails. Collectively we’ve accumulated over 2,200km already this month with still 12 days to go. Many prizes were also won this week.

Was it you? Read the recap to find out. One team has completed the challenge and another team is on the heals of completion. WE CAN DO THIS!

As a reminder, anyone who reported late will have their distance added to next week’s tally. It’ll be counted but just not in this week’s report.

The Nile teams

After the desert stretches, the first major city the teams have passed is Sohag. It’s got a variety of restaurants to choose from and it’s also a Christian city. It’s a Long team, decided it was a great place to rest up for the journey to Abydos and possibly Uxor next week. Andy found a good book and Ian managed to find a pyramid shaped chocolate box as part of the souvenir shopping.

The Dream Team had further sights. They carried on to Abydos, one of the oldest cities in Ancient Egypt. It’s a sacred city and one of the most important sites in ancient Egypt. There is so much to see here that the team has found a lovely inn to spend the night. The city dates back to 3300 BC. It was a royal burial ground for Egypt’s first pharaohs. With its inscriptions and funeral monuments, it has contributed a lot to the current understanding of ancient Egypt’s linguistic development, architecture and state. Both teams are on target to reach Aswan by January 31.

The Pennine Way Teams

It’s been another great week for those on the Pennine way although rain mixed with snow is the weather of the day out in the open moors of this northern path.

The Hobblers and FOMO are strolling along and enjoying the sights. Some of the moorland can be bleak. However, both have now been to the highest pub in England – at the Tan Hill Inn. They tell us the beer is good – great after so many kilometers of walking. The roaring fire and tasty food was a welcome treat. The Hobblers (Stephanie, Karla, Venice, Michelle) have just left the town all with English breakfast tea treat bags that they found at the inn. FOMO is nearing Middleton-in-Teesdale, where there are shops, B&Bs and services.

Solo Man has reached Hadrian’s Wall. As mentioned last week, this epic world heritage site is truly worth seeing.

The other 3 teams have all made their way through past the highest peak of the trail and through Bellingham. It borders the Northumberland National Park and is a historic market town. Jackie and Jill were last to throw some snow balls on Cross Fell and found the snow balls treasure (treat bags). Shawn and Kari both found books hidden enroute. Joyce found a British Isles tea treat bag while Georgia scooped up the Scottish breakfast tea at the border of Scotland.

The Shining STARRs completed the Pennine Way and flew back to Vancouver Island. Tackling the full West Coast Trail, and landing in Port Renfrew. They are done! Every Day I’m Shuffling also crossed the Atlantic and over to the Pacific. They are more than half way along the West Coast Trail.

Where we are as of January 19:

Pennine Way + West Coast Trail (506km)

Solo Man – (Danny) – 325k, Hadrian’s Wall

Shining STARRs – (Joyce, Georgia, Joldine, Leslie Ann) – 514km, complete

Every Day I’m Shuffling (Jill, Robin, Jackie, Rick) – 479k, Pennine Way complete, more than half way along the West Coast Trail

Quick Quack (Maggie, Kari, Kayla, Shawn) – 372.5k, half way between Byrness and Windy Gyle

Pennine Way (431km)

FOMO (Ken, Liz, Vanessa) – 208k, 7km to Middleton in Teesdale

The Hobblers (Stephanie, Karla, Venice, Michelle) – 191k, just past Tan Hill enroute to Middleton in Teesdale

Nile (821km)

It’s a Long Way to Aswan, Damn (Andy, Ian, Dave D, Bri) – 459k, Sohag

Dream Team – (Sarah, Tory, Barbara) – 509k, Abydos

Pioneer 8K Race Report

STARR members and friends getting excited about their first race of 2025! What a great start to the year!

By Andy Smith

Starr members enjoyed a crisp sunny day at the Vancouver Island Race Series last Sunday in North Saanich. The 2025 VIRA season kicked off at the Pioneer 8k road race hosted by The Prairie Inn Harriers running club. This event makes a great entry to the race season as the 8k distance, and flat(ish) course are great for blowing off Christmas calories. 11 STARR club members and friends represented 7 different age categories at this popular event (667 participants). Conditions were excellent with sunny conditions and comfortable temperatures.

This out and back course attracts some elite runners, and this year was no exception. It was fun to cheer the elites as well as STARR teammates as we passed each other on out/return legs between start/finish. The Prairie Inn Harriers did a great job with volunteers and food. Hot coffee, pizza and door prizes at the awards ceremony were much appreciated.

This year the overall race winner was Russell Pennock from Kelowna (M30-34) who ran a very fast time of 24:01. He competed collegiately at the University of Calgary. Top female finisher was Jaime Hennessey from Maple Ridge with an equally impressive time of 27:48. Our top finishers were Andy Smith and Barb Cina. Kudos to STARR members who showed up for the race despite nursing some injuries!

There were a few glitches with timing equipment this year which delayed medal and ribbon presentation. However, STARR participants seemed pleased with their performances on the day with 2 top-ten performances earned for age group results. It was great to see another impressive turnout for the race with 100 more competitors than last year. Congratulations to all our finishers!


Name Chip Time Age Group Age Group Placing

Andy Smith 34:09 M60-64, 3rd in age group

Barb Cina 36:12 F45-49, 5th in age group

Jordan Zalba 39:10 M35-39

Emily Mann 39:19 F30-34

Stefanie Croft 42;57 F50-54

Jill Potter-Hellmann 46:38 F60-64

Teresa Willman 47:06 F55-59

Maggie Curtis 47:35 F50-54

Kari Toovey 48:32 F50-54

Joldine Lee 58:26 F60-64

Venice Epp 1:06:22 F25-29

January Blues Recap-Week Two

Greenhead to Bellingham-Hadrian’s Wall

What an incredible week we’ve had. Several hidden prizes were found in Egypt and England. We covered nearly 1,930km in just 12 days! We’ve crossed the highest peak on the Pennine Way, and seen more interesting ruins and tombs along the Nile. Most participants have reported this week.

The Pennine Way teams

We have 4 teams, one solo and one team in progress starting the Pennine Way again this week. This week, we passed a number of interesting places including Bronte country in Yorkshire. If you haven’t read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte or The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte this might just be the month to give the Brontes a try or a re-read as we tromp through their region of northern England.

En route this week we’ve done some serious climbing with stunning views. Fortunately, no one was trapped mine shafts and sinkholes that linger near the path in the area Fountains Fell. Pen-Y-Ghent is part of the Yorkshire 3 peaks and was another highlight this week. We had some easier kilometers too and most of us have passed some great waterfalls and have really experienced the Yorkshire dales. We also hit the highest peak of the trail Cross Fell at nearly 900 meters. Can it all be downhill from here?

Everyday I’m Shuffling team was the first to report in this week. They led the charge through the route with Robin finding a non-fiction book on a Britch Spy in Tan Hill and Jill finding a lovely Yorkshire Dales tea towel at a souvenir shop in Dufton. They ended their week just past Aliston.

The Quick Quacks were delighted with all of the snow on Cross Fell. They are still there playing. There are rumours of a snowball fight and perhaps a snow fort. Kayla has temporarily lost her signal and couldn’t report in this week. Look out Every Day and Shining STARRs, you might get passed by this ambitious group!

The Shining STARRs maintained their lead. Joyce found the hidden snow balls through the fell (Ferrero Rocher Raffaello treat bag) but pushed the team on. Although it was a tough week, they made it to the epic world Heritage site of Harian’s Wall, Britain’s largest Roman archeological feature. They are camped out there for the night.

Solo Man continues to inspire us all as he’s reached 200km solo, following the teams, and ending his week between Tan Hill and Middleton in Teesdale.

Team 1 is catching up in their reporting, ending the week in Ickhornshaw, a small village on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales national Park. The most interesting feature of this village is the 12th century St James Church, known for its stained glass windows and stonework.

The Nile teams

More magic moments were in store this week for our two Nile teams although last week had more highlights. The teams crossed the Nile at Al Faruqiyyah. At El Amarna, they were able to experience more ancient tombs and ruins. Another gem is the town of Asyut, on the caravan route and noted for high quality textiles, grains and fruits.

The Dream team’s Tory, found the peppermint treat bag in Salaqus while Barba managed to find the licorice treat bag. The team has just passed Asyut and more importantly passed It’s a Long Way… team.

It’s A Long Way.. team had a decent week. Ian managed to find a citrus treat bag before catching the ferry across the Nile. While waiting for the ferry, Bri found a little book shop and the hidden book. Although passed by the Dream Team, they are exploring the fascinating desert and find themselves in the middle of no where close to Al Kawamil.

Where we are as of January 12:

Pennine Way

Solo Man – (Danny) – 200k, half way between Tan Hill and Middleton in Teesdale

Shining STARRs – (Joyce, Georgia, Joldine, Leslie Ann) - 329km, Hadrian’s Wall

Every Day I’m Shuffling (Jill, Robin, Jackie, Rick) – 295km, just past Cross Fell/Aliston

Quick Quack (Maggie, Kari, Kayla, Shawn) - - 272km, almost in Aliston and past Cross Fell

Team 1 (Stephanie, Karla, Venice, Michelle) - 88k (not all reported) - Ickhornshaw

New team in progress (Ken, Liz and possibly Vanessa) – 44k, Standege

Nile

It’s a Long Way to Aswan, Damn (Andy, Ian, Dave D, Bri) – 331k in the desert near Al Kawamil

Dream Team – (Sarah, Tory, Barbara) – 370km, just past Asyut

Ken's Race Report from Sicily

Running news from Sicily. I've had 5 competitive races since arriving & usually train every 3rd day.

 My first race was in Carlentini, Sept.1st coming first in my age group, it's an area famous for orange groves & an archaeological park, also where I received my first box of goodies for my place in the race. Second race, Sept 15th in Rosolini, famous for its olive oil & wine, area there called Buono vini,coming in 2nd. My third race was at Priolo Gargallo, coming 2nd in my age group.  It's a coastal town with a huge oil refinery owned by a Russian conglomerate called LukOil. Gas prices here are 1.75 Euro per litre ( $ 2.60  Can.), which is expensive considering we’re right across from the oil fields in Asia. Oh, am I going on about prices? Maybe it's because I'm a pensioner.

My fourth race was in Augusta, a two part race, the first half ( 5 km ) I came 2nd & the next 5km was 1st, I seem to do better on the longer runs ( 1.15 for the 10km ). I received my second box of goodies ( pic included ) bottle of wine, 2 types of tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, jar of tomato sauce & also a trophy. Augusta was a Greek colony, established 2700 years ago, then became a Roman colony so it has lots of history.

My last race was in Catania which has a marathon, half marathon & half of a half (10.5) which I did, coming 1st at 1.21, & if you’re wondering how many in my age group 80 to 84 ( which is not polite to ask ) I was the only one in all categories. Catania is nicknamed the Black city because of its closeness to our active volcano Mount Etna & the soot from it. It was also settled by the Greeks in 729 BC & its first university, established 1434, well before  America was discovered. A lot of the streets we run on are made of lava stone ( 30 x 30 cm.) & slightly arced from the centre to the curb, where there are drains at the curb, as a lot of the old Roman streets were made.

 I'll include 2 pics of the road I run on for training from Potopalo di C.P. to Marzamemi, the first looking towards Portopalo shows the old tuna factory (circa 1700) , behind the Castello Tafuri, a hotel & to the left the start of the town, the other pic in the middle is Marzamemi & on top of that flat mountain range at the back, if you expand the pic  you will see faintly Mount Etna. It's been a hot summer with most races in the mid to higher 20es.

 Congrats to all who have been out there exercising, good for the mind, good for the body, Back first week in Feb. Stay hungry, Stay foolish,

Ciao, Ken Pungente

January Blues- Week 1 recap

Giza, Egypt

We had a short week.  Just 5 days into our January challenge and the Christmas calories are getting burned off.  We had most participants submit but if you are someone, who didn’t, don’t worry.  You can submit January 1-5 now and it will get added on next week. This short week we clocked 784km of mileage.  What a great way to start the challenge.

The Nile teams

We had two teams start their challenge in Cairo, Egypt.  This country is full of ancient history and the challenge will be for the teams not to linger to long in the tombs and monuments along the way. Everyone was eager to get going as they seem to be a competitive bunch. Much to everyone’s delight the fist few days were filled with magic moments. 

Just days into the challenge, all teams passed the famous pyramid of Giza – the largest and most famous just outside Cairo. Not far along the course, they also viewed the alabaster Sphinx of Memphis – one of the largest monuments made from Egyptian Alabaster. Did you know that Sphinxes were used to guard sacred places? Then by 40km, they visited the Dahshur Pyramids where they were allowed to explore inside them. But try as they might, they found no hidden treasures in any of the ancient structures.

The Dream team’s, Sarah, pushed on ahead and was the first one to reach Fayoum.  Fayoum is one of the biggest Egyptian governorates in herbs, medicinal and aromatic plants production and exporting and the teams. Did you know that Egypt has a solid foot in the medicinal herb market?  They produce licorice, chamomile, mint, spearmint, and hibiscus to name a few.  Sarah’s diversion was worth the detour as she was the first person to find hidden treasure at one of the farms – a chamomile herbal tea & treat bag. Dave D from It’s a Long Way to Aswan, Damn team, was not far behind Sarah and visited another herbal farm.  He found a similar treat bag but with Egyptian licorice tea.

It's A Long Way.. team ended the week in Nazlet El-Zawya, a spot with vacation rentals and places to eat, while the Dream Team are staying in a tiny place called Ad Dawaltah.  It appears that Barb got lost in one of the tombs and couldn’t report.  We’ll find her this week.

The Pennine Way teams

We have 4 teams, one solo and one team in progress starting the Pennine Way this week – the UK’s first and toughest national trail.  Everyone started at Edale in the Peak District and will make their way north to the Scottish border. All teams have made their way up Jacob’s Ladder – a set of stone cut steps ascending Kinder Peak. The first section of the trail is the second longest ascent and all teams have had a tough first few days. Danny was the first to the ladder and found the first English treat bag there. One highlights this week after lots of hills, was the market town of Hebden Bridge in west Yorkshire. It’s a bohemian town with lots of artists, galleries and shops.  Rick decided it was high time for a break. He found himself at the Blue Teapot and found an English breakfast tea treat bag there.

Not to be outdone, Georgia, plowed through the region, landing in Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s a small village with shops, places to eat and the Blue Bell Inn dating back to 1680. It was at this inn that Georgia scooped up the last hidden prize for the week – a box of Yorkshire tea.

Any readers might be interested to know that several of the teams passed through Bronte country, home of the famous classic authors Emily, Anne and Charlotte.

Where we are as of January 5

Pennine Way

Solo Man – (Danny) – 75k, past Calder Way, and en route to Ickhornshaw

Shining STARRs – (Joyce, Georgia, Joldine, Leslie Ann) - 141.7km, just past Horton in Rabblesdale

Quick Quack (Maggie, Kari, Kayla, Shawn) - - 137.1km, 1km to Horton in Rabblesdale

Every Day I’m Shuffling (Jill, Robin, Jackie, Rick) – 107.1km, en route to Malham

Team 1 (Stephanie, Karla, Venice, Michelle) – no cell signal, travel. illness, most will report next week - 19.3k – 5km to Crowden

New team in progress (Ken, Liz and possibly Vanessa) – 44k, Standege

Nile

It’s a Long Way to Aswan, Damn (Andy, Ian, Dave D, Bri) 142.9km

Dream Team – (Sarah, Tory, Barbara) – 117km

Qualicum Bay Trail Race

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.

2024 Edition of the Predict Your Time Event

The atmospheric river system and a near flooded road to the Sooke Potholes did not keep STARRs from coming out to the annual “Predict Your Time” event on Saturday, October 19. This event is fun for a number of reasons. Everyone is on equal footing regardless of age, gender and ability. The goal is predict your time over either the long course (9.4km) or the short course (5.3km) and complete the course without a watch or other timing devise. It means the feel of your pace is most important and the fastest doesn’t always mean a win. There were medals and some swag as well as cookies and water. Of course, there was also a chance to socialize after the event.

Ten participants came out for the event. We were able to stay sort of dry in the Barnes Station shelter. I was impressed with the results especially compared with prior years. Everyone did amazing. Congratulations to all of the runners. Thanks to Vanessa for the photos!

Results:

5.3km Predicted time Actual time Difference

Vanessa (gold) 42:49 42:31 17 seconds

Teresa (silver) 30 31:59 1:59

9.4km

Barbara (gold) 52 51:45 15 seconds

Tory (silver) 51:16 50:59 17 seconds

Kari (bronze) 58 58:23 23 seconds

Robin (bronze) 52 52:23 23 seconds

Claude 53 52:24 36 seconds

Andy 46 45:06 54 seconds

Maggie 57 58:38 1:38

Jill 59:50 58:04 1:46

Royal Victoria Marathon Weekend

Photo Credit Joe Crazy Legs

By Leslie Ann Bent

When one signs up for a race months in advance, it’s never certain what kind of day you might get for racing. What a beautiful day the runners had this year for the Royal Victoria (RVM) marathon weekend. The marathon and half marathon were sold out months in advance, which made it a crowded and busy race day out on the course. Over 12,000 participants registered for the multi-race event. There are races distances for everyone – 5k, 8k, half marathon and marathon, plus a kids 1k race. The RVM also has a high performance assistance program to attract high caliber athletes to our city.

Six STARR runners enjoyed a sunny Thanksgiving day for the race. Kudos to all of the volunteers and spectators who help make this event special. In the marathon division, Craig McMillan of North Vancouver (M45-49) took first place with a time of 2:28:53. He was the only marathoner to break 2:30. For the women, Victoria’s Zoe Hamel placed first with an incredible time of 2:47:51.

The half marathon leaders were spread out. Andrew Davies (M20-24) of Sarnia, Ontario placed first with a time of 1:03:19. The top female athlete was Makenna Fitzgerald (F20-24) of Calgary with an impressive time of 1:14:21.

It would have been exciting to watch the 8k runners at the finish line. In the male category, the top three runners were just seconds apart. Aaron Ahl (M25-29) took home gold with a speedy time of 23:48. The females were also in a chase situation. The top runner, Julia Hawkins of Vancouver, crossed the finish line at 28:06.

Congratulations to all of our STARR runners who were out racing on Thanksgiving weekend.

STARR Results (Chip time)

Marathon

Scott R (M35-39) 4:24:48

Half marathon

Emily (F30-34) 1:55:13

Laurelle (F25-29) 2:03:47

Claude (M60-64) 2:04:42

Melanie (F40-44) 2:17:40

Barbara (F45-49) 1:59:10

8k

Jill (F60-64) 45:12

Joldine (F60-64) 1:00:39

Sooke Hills Race

Sooke Hills Race Report

Photo credits: @dylandoubt @sookehillsrunning, Pauline, Ian

Sooke Hills Running hosted their first event in the Sooke Hills on beautiful sunny Saturday, June 8th.  The event had two distances—a 50K and a 25K.  STARR runners Pauline and Scott ran in the 50K and Ian ran in the 25K.

Ian had the following comments about the run:

”Hats off to Elliot and Jason for arranging a new trail race right here on our doorstep in Sooke.  This was a superbly organized event which really did make the most of the wonderful trails up and down the Sooke Hills.   I entered the 25km, and vouch that the trail was really well marked and the aid stations were enthusiastically crewed and well placed along the route.  I heard similar feedback from some of the runners in the 50km event too. 

Post-race offerings were excellent, with a great choice of food and drink and a really novel idea for finisher t-shirt mementos.  All entrants were able to select a running shirt from a clothes line, ordered by size.  All of these were pre-owned shirts that had been over stamped with the race logo!  This means that i) it fits, ii) as long as you finished early enough you like the colour, iii) it is a truly unique memento of the race. 

The logo was a highly appropriate slug, as I can say that the final 7km up and down Monument on a very warm day were indeed slug-like for me.  I was only running the 25km, and I have to say the hot weather did cause quite some cramp towards the latter part of the run, and I am super impressed with the athletes that completed the 50km in such conditions.  Which, by the way, everyone did; 100% of starters finished! 

Good news the race will be on again next year, so please do think about supporting such an excellent local event as you begin to scope out your 2025 race calendar.

Photos above; one of my memento shirt.  The next two pertain to an entry rule that we needed to “run with an offline map”.  As the oldest competitor in the 25km event it was highly appropriate that I appeared to be the only one thinking I needed to carry an analogue map, and here it is for those of you interested in the route!”

Thank you to Ian for the report! The fourth photo is Pauline’s memento shirt. The routes took runners through an area that is well known to many STARRS, and those that have done some of these trails as hikes or trail runs know how challenging the race must have been!  The 50K route had three summits:  Empress, Monument and Quimper and 2000 metres of elevation gained throughout the race.  Pauline confirms that “it was a super tough one.”

There were six aid stations for the 50K . The first place finisher was Charles Perin with a time of 6:02:02. Former STARR regular Jonathan Dvorak finished in 4th place with a time of 6:51:57. Pauline’s time was 8:23:35 and Scott completed the race in 10:56:30.   Congratulations to all—it is quite an accomplishment to race over that type of terrain!

The 25K route had 945 metres of elevation gain and three aid stations.  See Ian’s wonderful maps to check out the route.   First place in this event went to Jonathan Gendron with a time of 2:10:14. Ian completed the run in 3:51:20.

Kudos to the organizers and volunteers who helped make the day a great success. The organizers plan to host the race again next year! Thank you to @dylandoubt and @sookehillsrunning, Pauline, and Ian for the photos and comments..