Vancouver Island Race Series ambassadors content and media

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Hurricane Hatley ‘24: a race recap

By Ambassador Holly Pinto

When I first read Hatley Castle 8K, I immediately thought like anyone would; of magic and folklore. And while indeed it’s a beautiful architecture; magic quickly transformed into adventure. With a 95 per cent chance of precipitation, I anticipated a wet, west coast running race.

Like any quest, Hatley promised an “over the hill and around the bend” course. I started the course with a gentle decline slope leading to ocean views. Headwinds on that moody February morning combined with rainfall set the scene for a J.R.R. Tolkien quest more than a Disney fairytale. Then suddenly at 2K the course took a rolling incline; with a baby hill and then a mama hill. In my peripheral I viewed stone walls with vines as the castle awaits at the bottom, connecting one hill to another. Perfect placement to occupy my thoughts as I climbed and climbed. If magic was really here, there would have been a unicorn ride with a catchy soundtrack. Yet, this is a running race and I kept perspective and pulled one foot up after the other. Trumpets sound triumph as raindrops trample trees; the beast of a hill has been slayed. And soon the summit brought me into the forest.

By this point, I am drenched from torrential rainfall. Washing away all that sparkly sweat. And the only twinkle was that of a wiggle in my toes to keep warm. ‘Are we having fun yet?’

Well, this was Hatley Castle and I was on an adventure.

I sloshed through muddy puddles which I didn’t care to miss because Hurricane Hatley had left me already soaked. Around 6K the wind picked back up like a big ugly monster. As the fauna ahead led to the end of this quest, I took time to enjoy the eye of the storm. As the path was smirking with pools of rainfall and paces were withheld by potentially slippery corners there is something. Something in lieu of a rainbow and sunshine. And it’s you, my running friend. Sometimes, the prize is within the adventure.

You see, I set to make my best 8K time on this day. But fate had otherwise. I knew that morning weather would withhold my goals. Like any true adventurer, I adapted… Close to me from the starting line was a team of runners. Their goal: to finish. More than that. To finish happily. While I was caught up on the weather and the letdown by the downpour they offered an opportunity. And that is the heart of VIRS. The eye of the storm; the beauty within. Showing up and completing the adventure with your team. Coming together to cheer each other on despite coastal conditions and soggy socks. Chasing personal best times is rewarding. Seeing the race through with the team is the trophy.

Now I’m left wondering, will the next race recap be named “Soggy Sooke 10K” from winter weather on Vancouver Island. Or perhaps “Sunny Sooke 10K”?

See you there!

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Ambassador media: Cedar 12k recap – AKA what to do, and what not to do

So the third race of the 2024 Vancouver Island Series, the Cedar 12k, fell on the day after another event in my calendar, a retirement party for local sporting legend and SMUS teacher Ian Hyde Lay. Let’s just say that a good time was had by all. Those who visited the Bard and Banker that evening, and let’s also say that when my Sunday morning alarm went off, racing 12k was far, far from my mind. 

But, mainly because I volunteered to drive the carpool (sucker!), off I went. I said to one of my club mates that I was going to take a wait-and-see approach. And after a cup or two of black coffee, a bite to eat and some last-minute hydration on the drive up, I was feeling good enough to toe the line. Not good enough to challenge my PB, mind you, but still OK. In the back of my mind, I thought “Well, let’s start at a minimal effort pace (5:00/km for me), and see how we do.” And then the horn went on the start line, and away we went…

Sean Mitchell finishing the Cedar 12K. Photo credit: Christopher Kelsall

And of course, all those good and sensible ideas got thrown out the window. Truth be told, I got into a comfortable rhythm and managed a respectable 4:30/km for the first 5k. After getting to the one standout ‘hill’ at that point (and waving at Brandon and Dusty already headed back…), I took a bit of stock of my condition and felt pretty good, truth be told.

I decided on the way back to see if I couldn’t get progressively faster on the return. And I ended up doing just that, negative splitting by almost two minutes (26:53/25:07) to finish right around 52:00, which would have been just 5 seconds off my PB. If it hadn’t been determined later that the course was approximately 90m short. Ah well. That time was still good enough for 10th place in the horrendously competitive M50-54 age group. So I was pretty pleased overall. And the warm hospitality and snacks from our friends at Bastion Run Club made it a great day. 

Sean’s Strava race stats: https://www.strava.com/activities/10743274292

Cedar tips: What to do

  • Have fun
  • Run the rolling road to your advantage
  • Run the tangents – every little bit helps!
  • Hang around and socialize afterwards, and cheer on the award winners 

What NOT to do

  • Neglect your hydration and race prep as I did
  • Get too excited with the first 1k downhill – hope you didn’t go out too fast!

This coming Sunday, Feb 25th is the unique Hatley 8k, put on by Frontrunners Athletic Club on the grounds of Royal Roads University in Colwood. I say unique because it’s part road, part trail with a sizeable hill in between. This is a race to focus on effort, not pace or time, but don’t let that scare you – it’s a great course and a lot of fun. Hope to see you there! 

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Ambassador media: Hatley’s thrilling hills

By Sander Nederveen

The next race in the series is Hatley Castle 8K, and you’re in for an absolute rollercoaster of a course. The rollercoaster includes an interesting collection of hills, variations in terrain, and a fast finish.

This course is not your typical PB course. Unless you’re faster uphill than downhill, you likely won’t pull off your best-ever time in the 8K. But that is the trade-off for all the fantastic things this course has to offer.

In the first half kilometre, you will go towards the lagoon on a gentle downhill. With fair weather, you will forget to look at your watch and will simply be amazed by the gorgeous views of the Olympic Mountains. While you’re still processing that you’re in one of the most beautiful spots on the island, you head uphill and will soon be surrounded by trees before your watch beeps that you finished your first klick.

Sander Nederveen finishing 2024 Cedar 12K. Photo credit: Christopher Kelsall

That’s when you’re in for a treat: the uphill gets a bit steeper, and the course will turn right. More uphill you go. You may wonder: what’s the point of this hill? The answer is exactly what you would expect: there is no point. We are Vancouver Islanders; we just love hills for the sake of them.

You will go up until you hit kilometre 2, and then you turn right around and go back down. Once you’re back down and you are still wondering what it is all for, your thoughts will get interrupted by yet another hill. Did I tell you yet that this course is an absolute rollercoaster? Well, you will have found out by now. After you climb this hill at kilometre 3, things slow down for a bit. Some rolling up and down, and you might almost start thinking that it’s a normal course.

The joke’s on you! Just after the 5th kilometre, you suddenly take a sharp turn into the woods, and you will be dodging roots and trail running pretty much until the finish line. A big downhill will be waiting for you in the last kilometre, and you will fly to the finish line.

I look forward to toeing the line and having an absolute blast out at Hatley Castle, taking on the challenging hills and the beautiful trails. I hope to see you there!

One of two major hills at 1K. Photo credit: Joseph Camilleri
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Ambassador media: Karen McCullough’s A-game at the 2024 Cedar 12K

By Karen McCullough, series ambassador

How do you prepare for a 12k?

How do you prepare for a 12k race when you’ve never run one before? This was me going into the Cedar 12k. A 10k race, sure I know what to expect, even a half marathon. But a 12k? What was I going to do about pacing? I decided I wouldn’t worry about it and just go with “This is a 10k, but just a little longer.” Having just done a 19k long run in my training for the Comox Valley RV Half Marathon coming up on March 24, 12k should be a breeze, I told myself.

I knew it was a rolling, out-and-back course, and the hills weren’t going to be too bad. Now, I live near Mount Tzouhalem, so I KNOW hills! Doing some quick math on my way, I figured I’d try to stick with my 10k time from the Cobble Hill 10k. The second race of the series just two weeks earlier. And the plan was to just stick it out another 2k. My B goal would be sub-1:10 and my A goal would be sub-1:08. Shouldn’t be too hard, right?

Karen McCullough at the finish at 2024 Cedar 12K. Photo credit: Christopher Kelsall

My husband and I arrived good and early and had plenty of time to get his bib and get a 2k warmup in. We lucked out with the weather. By race time, the rain had eased up and I decided to go without my rain jacket and just the long-sleeved shirt. We all gathered at the start and, I guess I was too far back, but I didn’t hear a start horn or anything and everyone just started running. It’s a small enough race that this wasn’t a huge deal. It’s chipped-timed so it doesn’t matter when you cross the start line anyway, right?

Heading out, I kept it kind of conservative but still within my 10k pace. I saw a young woman pass me from behind and she reminded me of a friend in Vancouver, so I decided I’d stick with her and keep her in sight as long as possible. The course was so enjoyable. With a couple of turns in the first three kilometres and then gentle rollers to the 6k turnaround. I took note of my time at the turnaround and did some mental math to see what my finish time might be. By then, I knew what to expect going back and decided to kick it up a notch. I started passing people and it felt good. At some point between 8 and 9k, I even managed to pass “my friend.”

So at 10k, how am I doing?

At 10k, I was just a few seconds slower than my time at the Cobble Hill 10k. But I had enough steam in me to really give’er in the final 2k. With 1k to go, I saw my husband on the other side of the road running towards me. He had already finished his own race, and he ran me in with lots of encouraging words. When we turned that final corner, I could see the finish, I really let it rip and hoofed it to the finish to leave everything on the course.

I could see the clock as I got closer to the finish and knew I was not only going to beat my B goal of sub-1:10, but I also beat my A goal of sub-1:08. With a chip time of 1:06:48. This turned out to be good enough for 8th in my age category of F55-59. I received a beautiful red ribbon to commemorate that.

One thing I’ve really loved about the series is the absence of participation medals, but medals and ribbons for up to 10th place in each age category. Who needs another participation medal? Not me. This, I’m sure, helps to keep the races at such an affordable price. I wish other races would adopt this measure!

Even though my husband and I have only lived on the Island for five and a half months, we’ve already met so many amazing people in the Vancouver Island running scene through our local run groups and especially through the Vancouver Island Race Series. During the race, when I started seeing the runners who’d already turned around at 6k, I couldn’t believe how many runners I knew and could cheer on by yelling their names.

With a chip time of 56:46 at the Cobble Hill 10k being nowhere near my PB of 50:52, I’m still really proud of myself. I am proud of my race at the Cedar 12k. I’m in my late 50s now, and 5 years older than when I ran a 50-minute 10k and not every race is going to be a PB, and that’s ok! The important thing is this: did I have fun? You bet I did! Will I do this race again?

Abso-f’ing-lutely

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Fitness, fun, and friends at the McLean Mill 10K

After a slow build-back from injury, it felt so great to be out racing again at an official Vancouver Island Race Series event. And what a great first race to come back to!

The first of its kind, the McLean Mill 10K on April 2nd. It is a scenic course set against stunning mountains with an epic start and finish at the old McLean Mill, a national historic site. Having never been to McLean Mill, I had no idea it was such a cool place to visit, let alone race. Nestled within the forest, the start line begins at the entrance to the historic site and weaves down along a rustic dirt road before merging onto the main paved road.

McLean Mill 10K race start with Mark Cryderman (left) and Jonathan Walker (right) leading the pack (Photo credit: Joseph Camilleri)

The first four kilometres are an undulating yet relatively straight and slightly net downhill stretch with only a couple of turns. I went out for the lead with the goal being to practice my A-goal pace for TC10K, and pretty soon found myself in solo territory. I kept focus on the bike marshal in front of me and dug in. By halfway, I realized my pacing was a bit ambitious and knew I’d be in for a wild ride! And that it was, grinding a positive split into the second half over a fairly hilly net uphill stretch to the finish. While this wasn’t the day to reach my A-goal, I was very pleased with the overall feeling and satisfaction that came with an all-out effort. Of course, a debut course record and the win was also fun too! 

The key learning I took away from this race was the importance of controlled pacing based on my current fitness (not goal fitness). I learned quickly that I’m not in 32:30 shape, and that was humbling! But by not forcing the pace too soon in a race, I think we can all give ourselves a better chance at reaching our goals with time. “Stay smooth, controlled, and let the pace come” will be my mantra next time.

Jonathan Walker (Esprit RC) crossing the line in 33:36 for the win, then getting a breather (Photo credit Joseph Camilleri)

So yes, lessons were learned at the McLean Mill 10K, but not only that, there was amazing post-race food, local craft beer, and great times reconnecting with the awesome Island Race Series community. Big shoutout to Port Alberni for hosting a great event, and gratitude to Sean Mitchell and the Prairie Inn Harriers for the carpool and great chats with the Prairie Inn Harrier lads to and from the race!

With the comeback from injury, my coach suggested I choose either the McLean Mill 10K or the Westcoast Sooke 10K. I would have loved to do Sooke, but the timing worked best for McLean and I am happy with that decision.

Next up – Bazan Bay 5K!

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Every step we take involves a choice

Well this was a first…

I was late to the start line! Some may argue they are late to the finish line but mine was a bit of both on the day of the Hatley Castle 8K at Royal Roads University.  Having said that, this is not what my message is about. My message is about making choices in life and remembering to make them based on your “whys.” 

Yes, I arrived late to the start line and at that moment I had a choice: run, walk, or turnaround and go home.  

I knew when I arrived the timing would be tight. I realized quickly as I meandered through an unfamiliar campus, that the likelihood of me arriving on time was gone. It was confirmed when I showed up at 11:06 am to a very lonely start line that I was definitely late. I crossed with no noise made so then I made the choice to run to the timing van to see if it was “okay” to still run. I was answered with a quick, “if you crossed the line, you are being timed.”  

Mena Westhaver
Mena Westhaver

I had a choice…

My decision took no time at all — run Mena run!  That’s what I signed up to do, that’s why I drove out there, that’s why I signed up for the Vancouver Island Race Series and that’s why I pinned on my bib! I had made a choice to be a part of something. Does it really matter what your numerical time is (okay — I am a runner at heart so I will say I do love numbers) BUT — what’s really important is the time that you experience and I was about to enjoy a very special time throughout this event; one that was unexpected. It was an experience like no other and full of awesome realizations. I didn’t see anyone for about 500 metres except a photographer that really had no choice but to shoot my smirk of desperation to find a crowd of people somewhere in the distance. Then I came across a powerful walker who quickly informed me that they had come out to walk no matter what position they finished in. Their smile was full of pride and confidence — this was cool.  

Then I passed a couple of familiar faces on the out and back, but typically I would be on the “other side” of them, they were thrilled to see that I had showed up. Despite where I was, and what joking was shared, they made me feel a part. I witnessed people of all ages, stages, and abilities push up hills and push through pain. It was clearly demonstrated that there wasn’t a single person I passed that was not working their hardest. Each of these walkers and runners had made the choice to show up and do the best that they can.

Every finish line is special and in this case on this day, I cannot imagine missing the opportunity to run downhill through a beautiful forested area to the sound of cheers and encouragement. 

So as we near a new and exciting course — the McLean Mill 10K — think about why you “show up.”  Make choices based on your whys. Don’t worry about your time in performance but the potential of the experience. I want to be a part of a community, a part of the run community, a part of the Vancouver Island Race Series. I want to feel strong, athletic and physically fit. I want to feel that sense of accomplishment when I cross the finish line.

Thank you to the crew of the Island Race Series for providing me a space to make choices to participate and to feel like an athlete. I have a feeling my “whys” are similar to most that show up in shorts, spandex run tights, tank tops and run hats on chilly Sunday mornings

…. I hope to see you again on Sunday, April 2nd!