Vancouver Island Race Series

by  


Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. It is very long, yes. We promise shorter editions in the future. This newsletter contains valuable information right down to the bottom.

Exciting news!

We are enjoying our third consecutive record year for registrations.

Season Pass sales surpassed 2024 on Friday, December 13. 

A total of 371 season passes were purchased for the 2024 season. We hit 376 at 7:00 PM (Sunday) and expect over 400. Single-race entries are going well too. All races are likely to experience record years. Stay tuned. 

We are capping the Cobble Hill 10K and BC 10K Championships at 800 registrations.  

The legendary, official commemorative souvenir technical racing socks are back

Get them before they sell out.
They are priced at $22 each or three for $55.

*Price displayed in shopping cart includes taxes (by law).

A portion of the proceeds go to our new charity of choice KidSport BC.
The socks are base white with two logos and are the trendy 7″ height. 
One-size fits most.

They will be in your hands and on your feet by the end of January.

2025 Season kick-off event at Frontrunners

You are invited to the series kick-off at Frontrunners Footwear at Yates and Vancouver on Friday, January 10. 

Pick up your series race bib (2), or Harriers Pioneer 8K bib, draw prizes, mingle, and enjoy beverages and finger foods. Meet our eight ambassadors. The store will be open for your business only.

We are seeking your help. Run Van Isle board members Maurice Wilson and Chris Callendar have been busy finding old, sometimes coffee-stained and faded Island Series results and digitizing them. You may view them dating back to 1985 on the website now.

Maurice and Chris have also been correcting misspelled or alternate name uses. Our display of results is unique to the series. Check them out. 

From Maurice: 
“Run Van Isle has an ongoing project to upload all Vancouver Island Race Series race results into the online database. We currently have the results from over 300 of the 340 races since the series began in 1983, accessible through the series website. And we’re searching the Island for the remaining results. Specifically, we’re looking for any of the following:

1991 – Comox Valley 20K
1988 and 1987 – all results
1986 – Cherry Point 10K
1985 – Comox Valley 20K, Port Alberni Paper Chase 10K, Nanaimo 10 Miler, and Victoria Half Marathon
1984 – Nanaimo 10 Miler and Parksville Pacers 10K
1983 – all resultsIf you should have any of the above, or know of someone who may, we’d very much like to know. Any help is appreciated.”

New sponsors


Check out our sponsor page. New to the series are Moreau Real Estate Team, Smart Dolphins IT Solutions, Virgin Radio 107.3, and Athletic Brewing Co. 

Frequent their businesses if you can as well as our long-standing sponsors: 
Frontrunners Footwear, Brooks, Quality Foods, Athletics Illustrated Magazine, Black Press, Andrew Smith IG Wealth Management, PISE, Old Victoria Water and Dairyland/Saputo. Each of the eight races also has local-to-them sponsors to consider. See each within the pages of the series’ site.


Thank you to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation

We would like to thank the Victoria Hospitals Foundation (VHF) for all that they do to support the Jubilee, Victoria General and Gorge Road Hospitals. The VHF was the series’ charity of choice for several years. The partnership was wonderful, but it is time to move on.

The Run Van Isle board decided that the charity that best fits the series’ profile and one we can make the most impact with is KidSport BC. 

So, welcome to KidSport BC

We will collect your donations in the shopping cart, and then KidSport BC will disperse your donations directly to the community branch serving your area. The organization has locations in Greater Victoria, Cowichan, Comox, Port Alberni and Nanaimo regions. 

Before you read about the very important Beta Test that will have big changes for the series this year, look at the Qualify Foods, right there, from 2024 season kick-off.

Before you read about the very important Beta Test that will have big changes for the series this year, look at the Qualify Foods, right there, from the 2024 season kick-off.

BETA TEST ALERT

After reviewing our post-season survey results, we have found that there is only one, single, solitary, recurring complaint. But it is a big one centred around our post-race awards — they are too long! 

We need your assistance, here. 

For the 2025 season, we will place several tables in our indoor facilities and have volunteers on hand to help. Your medals and ribbons will be picked up by you at those tables. If this works well, we will continue, if not, we will return to the long awards presentations as we have done since the 1980s. 

However, we will formally recognize the top three overall, top three juniors U20 and top three masters 40-plus male and female. We will also recognize special achievements like provincial, national or world records, and the 1000-Mile Club among others. 

We will display a big selfy banner where you may take photos: selfies, pose for the cell phone paparazzi or with official event photographers. 

Draw prizes will be pre-drawn at all events ad on display for all to read. Except for the grand prize. The grand prize will be announced at the end. Athletes must collect their draw prizes and awards at the event. There will be no other way to pick up your awards or prizes after the fact. Should you need to leave early, have a friend or family member stay at the post-race awards presentation to pick up on your behalf. 

How to: 

  • Have a great time racing. 
  • Once inside the facility, seek results (or on your device) and find out how you did. (paper copies of results should be taped to the wall near the entrance — please be patient as the timer is busy juggling things in the timing van).
  • Should you place in the top 10 in your age group, go to the awards tables and let the volunteers know who you are, for example, “I am Bob Smith, I placed fifth in my 55-59 age group.” 
  • With your medal or ribbon, find the selfie banner and take photos. The hashtags are #IslandRaceSeries and #RunVanIsle. See selfie banner image below (It’s a proof, not the final product).
  • Stick around or leave. 
  • Basque in the glory and afterglow of an effort well run.

Winners of the cutest couple honours at the 2024 kick-off: Jason and Kathleen, co-race directors Westcoast Sooke Running 10K. She is also treasurer and bookkeeper for Run Van Isle and the series.

By the way, our good friends at Frontrunners Westshore who operate the Hatley Castle 8K have booked an auspicious indoor facility for the race. So, no more Hatley Hurricanes. Well, there may be more hurricanes, but you are a tough, gnarly, well-conditioned athlete with an auspicious indoor facility at your beck and call.

 

Below is: the 2024 series’ ambassador, Sean, serving it right. And above is a proof (not the final product) of the selfie banner.

The Vancouver Island Race Series has adopted KidSport BC as its charity of choice as of December 3, 2024. All funds donated will be directed to KidSport BC and then dispersed to each of the island community branches where series races take place.

Series participants can optionally donate when registering for races at the series digital shopping cart located at Race Roster. Visit www.islandseries.org/register/ to register and or donate.

“As a board, we visited our long-standing relationship with the Victoria Hospitals Foundation (VHF). While we value the VHF and its purpose, we decided that the money raised by our paying participants would better represent our purpose by supporting KidSport BC,” said Christopher Kelsall, president of Run Van Isle, the association that owns the Vancouver Island Race Series. 

“The VHF is a wonderful organization, and we wish them all the best in their continued fundraising endeavours. The VHF supports every area of care at Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, and the Gorge Road Health Centre.”

“We are incredibly grateful to the Vancouver Island Race Series for choosing to support KidSport through their events. The growing demand from families in need highlights the critical importance of programs like ours to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in organized sports, but the increasing volume is putting a strain on our funding resources, especially given that the majority of our community chapters are completely volunteer run,” says Angela Crowther, Director of the KidSport program in BC. “Donations to KidSport through the Race Series will help ensure we can keep pace with the demand and continue providing valuable sport experiences for children in need.”

Families facing financial need are encouraged to apply for support through the KidSport chapter in their community. Local chapters provide season-of-sport registration grants for qualifying families, so that financial barriers do not hold any kids back from the chance to participate in a season of organized sport.

“Active children benefit by improved physical health, physical literacy, mental health and builds a foundation of activity that often stays with them throughout their life,” shared Kelsall. “One benefit result in having healthy adults who may rely on hospital care less often due to being active from an early age.” 
The series offers the opportunity for runners and walkers of all abilities to participate in certified accurate, live-timed and well-organized road races from Sooke to Sidney and from Colwood to Courtenay.

The series begins Sunday, Jan. 13, 2025, with the 45th Harriers Pioneer 8K and ends with the Bazan Bay 5K on Sunday, April 13. The Cobble Hill 10K serves as the BC 10K Championships on Sunday, Jan. 27. Other races include the popular Sooke and McLean Mill 10Ks, Hatley Castle 8K and Bastion 12K with a new course and venue.

The Vancouver Island Runners’ Association (VIRA) board has been working hard to modernize its branding. Today, we are pleased to introduce a new logo and name for VIRA.

The name, legally speaking, remains as “VIRA.” VIRA is an association in good standing with the BC Societies Act. The marketing going forward will now be the new and improved “Run Van Isle.” The logo below depicts Vancouver Island and uses the same colour scheme as the Vancouver Island Race Series logo: Green for the forest, blue for the ocean and sky and the trim colour or shade of black.

New logo and name: Run Van Isle

Catchy and concise, yes?

The change to Run Van Isle was inspired in part by Run Van, which is the Vancouver International Runners Society, the organization that puts on the BMO Vancouver Marathon. Also, Run Sport, is the organization that brings you the TC10K race in April each year.

VIRA or Run Van Isle owns the Vancouver Island Race Series, member clubs organize each event.

The board would like to thank everyone who provided feedback during our crowdsourcing over social media to narrow down the general look and the specific layout. The sub-committee was led by secretary Kate Guy of Speedfarm and included Mariah Kelly (at-large) with The Track Club and Christopher Kelsall president and general manager of Run Van Isle and the series, and is a member of the Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club.

For all those who may wonder what is VIRA or Run Van Isle? Well, let us tell you.

Run Van Isle provides marketing, liability insurance and decades of race organization expertise to member clubs and races on Vancouver Island. The fee for a club or a race to be a member is $100/year.

Vancouver Island Runners’ Association (VIRA) logo

Run Van Isle is made up of board members from each club that hosts a Vancouver Island Race Series event. Also, there are at-large board members who bring to the table a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise.

Apply to become a Vancouver Island Race Series ambassador. The Vancouver Island Runners’ Association is seeking a few ambassadors to represent the Vancouver Island Race Series as well as the association (VIRA) and our member clubs. Enjoy all the benefits and social connections while being a series ambassador. Applications are now closed. Eight ambassadors have […]

The 2025 Vancouver Island Race Series schedule is set. Once again the series continues with eight road races scheduled over 16 weeks. All races happen on Sundays as usual.

The order of events is unchanged from 2024. Barring any weather-related schedule changes no races are held on holidays.

Bazan Bay finish 2023. Photo credit: Joseph Camilleri.

The series kicks off with the Harriers Pioneer 8K. The series is capped by the Bazan Bay 5K, in between are the Cobble Hill 10K, Bastion 12K (renamed from “Cedar 12”), Hatley Castle 8K, Westcoast Sooke 10K, Comox Valley RV Half Marathon, and McLean Mill 10K.

The Cobble Hill 10K will once act as the provincial 10K championships.

Race LocationDateTime
KickoffTBDFriday, January 106:00 PM
Harriers Pioneer 8KNorth Saanich Middle School , North Saanich, BCSunday, January 1211:30 AM
Cobble Hill 10KGeorge Bonner Elementary, Cobble Hill, BCSunday, January 2611:00 AM
Bastion 12KTBDSunday, February 911:00 AM
Hatley Castle 8KRoyal Roads, Hatley Castle, Colwood, BCSunday, February 2311:00 AM
Westcoast Sooke 10KEdward Milne School, Sooke, BCSunday, March 911:00 AM
Comox Valley RV Half MarathonFlorence Filberg Centre, Courtenay, BCSunday, March 2311:00 AM
McLean Mill 10KMcLean Mill Historic Site, Port Alberni, BCSunday, April 611:00 AM
Bazan Bay 5KMary Winspear Centre, Sidney, BCSunday, April 1311:00 AM or 11:30 AM, TBD

The Vancouver Island Runners’ Association (VIRA) elected a new secretary and vice president on Saturday in Nanaimo at the 2024 annual general meeting (AGM).

Mariah Kelly

Mariah Kelly has taken the vacant vice-president’s position on the VIRA board. She was elected in absentia on Saturday.

Kelly was a Tokyo Olympic team member as an alternate in the 1500-metre event. The Niagara Falls, ON native, is a coach and is the head of The Track Club, technical director with the Royal Victoria Marathon and race director of the TC10K.

Mariah Kelly at the Coffee Cup Classic at UVic’s Centennial Stadium. Photo credit: Christopher Kelsall

“I feel honoured and privileged to step into the role of vice president for the Vancouver Island Runners’ Association. Running has been transformative for me. shaping who I am today. The running community has enriched my soul and fuelled my dreams,” shared Kelly. “Vancouver Island will always hold a special place in my heart — it’s where my Olympic aspirations started to come to life. Even though I didn’t quite get there, the journey has been the ultimate gift. I have met countless incredible people and have had experiences beyond my expectations. Now my focus is giving back to the sport and community that has given so much to me.”

“Mariah has immersed herself deeply into the Vancouver Island athletics community as a runner, coach, race director and technical liaison. Her experience and enthusiasm will bring even more energy to an already vibrant VIRA board,” shared Christopher Kelsall, president, and general manager.

Kate Guy

Speedfarm athlete Kate Guy was elected as secretary of the VIRA board. The Toronto native moved to Greater Victoria in 2023 and has lived in France, Taiwan, the UK, Indonesia, and the US. She enjoys competitive racing, especially in marathons and has finished seven Ironman triathlons. Guy is an entrepreneur and event organizer.

“Kate brings to the association strong organizational skills that will complement the experienced VIRA team that has grown to near its maximum of 20 board members,” said Kelsall.

“I am thrilled to be part of VIRA’s board and look forward to continually improving the series for participants and helping foster and grow the relationships within the community. With my extensive event and marketing experience and knowledge as a runner, I hope to enhance the series and take it to the next level,” shared Guy.

“While we welcome Kate to the board, we would like to thank Chris Sullivan for his seven years of service to VIRA. Chris will stay on the board for one more year to support the transition of the new members as an at-large board member.”

Chris Callendar and Maurice Wilson

Added to the board is Chris Callendar from the Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club. He is an experienced runner, soccer player and is a father of two boys. Callendar is a full-stack developer, his technical skills will assist the marketing and results team. Chris is the primary person responsible for developing the website RaceStats.org.

Maurice Wilson, formerly with BC Athletics, was added as an advisor in the capacity of at-large board member. Wilson is a former competitive runner and knows the Canadian and international athletics community as well as anyone in Western Canada.

“On behalf of the entire board, I am pleased to say that we anticipate continued strong growth with VIRA and the Vancouver Island Race Series with this very experienced crew of board members,” added Kelsall. “This is likely the most talented team in VIRA’s 44-year history.”

Current board and executive

Race directors:

Brenda Niziol (Ceevacs Roadrunners, Cobble Hill 10K)
Rob Kelly (Comox Valley Road Runners, Comox Valley Half Marathon)
Sasha Visona (Ridgeview Health & Performance, McLean Mill 10K)
Nick Walker (Frontrunners Athletic Club, Hatley Castle 8K)
Cindy Todd (Frontrunners Athletic Club, Hatley Castle 8K)
Jason Ball (Westcoast Running, Westcoast Sooke 10K)
Trent Horwood (Bastion Run Club, Cedar 12K)
Jeff Beddoes (Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club, Harriers Pioneer 8K)
Rob Hare (Team West Coast Running and Triathlon Society, Bazan Bay 5K)

At-large:

Chris Sullivan (Team West Coast Running and Triathlon Society)
Dr. Eric Ellis (Salt Spring Sneakers)
Wayne Crowe (Comox Valley Road Runners)
Gary Duncan (Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club)
Maurice Wilson
Chris Callendar (Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club)

Executive:

Treasurer: Kathleen Quast (Westcoast Running)
Secretary: Kate Guy (Speedfarm)
Vice-president: Mariah Kelly (The Track Club)
President: Christopher Kelsall (Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club)

The Vancouver Island Runners’ Association owns the Vancouver Island Race Series. VIRA also supports running on Vancouver Island with marketing, best practices guidance athlete support and access to liability insurance for island member clubs in good standing.

The Vancouver Island Race Series is an eight-event series of races that take place from January to April over a 16-week span. The races take place in Courtenay, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Cobble Hill, Sooke, Colwood, Sidney and North Saanich.

To find out more, visit the website: www.islandseries.org.

Coming out of the two most successful years in the 45-year history of the Vancouver Island Race Series, it is time for our VIRA annual general meeting (AGM).

Bob Reid, who helped to create the series and the Vancouver Island Runners’ Association (which owns the series and its races) has stepped down. On behalf of the board, volunteers, executive, and anyone who has crossed paths with Bob, we would like to say thank you for your many years of service to the association, the series and the many other contributions made to the Vancouver Island running community.

Bob Reid with HarbourCats owner Jim Swanson after throwing the ceremonial first pitch. Bob is a long-time umpire and is known as Bobby in the baseball community. Photo credit: Christopher Kelsall.

Chris Sullivan, a long-time Vancouver Island runner and long-time secretary with VIRA is now enjoying retirement and would like to spend more time with his family and enjoying running, in that order. Thank you to Chris for all of his contributions and indispensable assistance around meetings.

Therefore the association is seeking candidates for the positions of vice president and secretary.

Enquire about the two positions at the email address: info@islandseries.org.

The series is in good hands

The series is in good hands and is in a good position to venture into some changes. The series has had eight races over a 15-16-week span for most of the 45 years it has been in existence. But that has not always been the way.

Financially, each of the races has profited during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, after the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic and the fears around gathering that linger today. The growth is welcome.

While the series is careful about managing the brand, through traditional marketing, social media, and in-person relationships, it is incumbent on the organization to always take into account feedback from stakeholders.

Survey results

Stakeholders include sponsors, our local organizing clubs, season pass holders, and participants who take in one race at a time. From two annual post-series surveys, we have heard clearly that the community aspect of the races is important and must remain. We have also heard that while the faster runners have too many medals and ribbons in boxes in basements, many newer to competing, or those who don’t always finish in the top-10 or top-3, love the recognition.

The races are not cookie-cutter but offer varying experiences. Each course is different. Race events offer a menu special to them, unique awards and draw prizes. Announcers are individually selected by each race director. Each community is unique, from Sooke to Sidney and from Colwood to Courtenay. We will continue to keep our eyes on the many communities on Vancouver Island and opportunities to make changes.

Focussing on what we have, we need to make the post-race awards shorter. On the one hand, a long awards ceremony is what it is, long(ish). Runners socialize, people win draw prizes and are awarded medals and ribbons. The culture of racing continues. We accept that the primary way to shorten the post-race awards is to remove the awards altogether or most of them. We are not prepared to do that at this time.

Little things like moving the 10 winners away from the front to take photos to the side, while the next group comes up has improved some events. Pre-drawn prizes also take a few minutes off the schedule. Alternating age groups rather than calling young to old, or old to young, has improved some ceremonies.

But again, we need to accept that the post-race awards will not be short and we have to accept that some people need to leave. But we will continue to refine to improve the amount of time it takes to hand out awards, prizes and to thank sponsors, volunteers and all stakeholders.

According to respondents to the survey, the post-race awards are: 38.6% “about long enough,” 24.4% suggest “getting better” and 37% say, “still too long.” — we are working on it.
Only 11% leave immediately, 87.4% either stay around for a while or stay until the end. So, we must be getting better.

Suggested change to the awards:

It has been suggested and is being considered to make the awards available at the time of the post-race ceremony only. The idea here is, if you have to leave, ask someone to pick it up for you. Otherwise, the award will be repurposed for another race and will not be available again.

Some races repurpose draw prizes as donations. So, rather than calling small awards with no recipient, it has been suggested to always pre-draw all prizes except for the big ones (ie., shoes). Donating, (as left over food is often done) is a nice gesture.

We welcome new ideas:

We anticipate a strong 2025, our biggest year yet

With the association and the series in terrific shape, we anticipate the biggest year in 2025. There is a running boom in place, again. While Vancouver Island has the most runners per capita in Canada and perhaps one of the most in the world per capita (there is no way of knowing), the race schedule is thick and heavy. We appreciate that you may want to race in other events.

Community road races are like the big professional road races: each race is measured and certified accurate by a World Athletics A measurer. The distances emulate the common lengths of well-known events. The series from time to time offer championships (and for all age groups, not just the elite). For example, the Cobble Hill 10K is the 2024 and 2025 provincial 10K championships. The Pioneer 8K has been the provincial 8K championships many times. More to come on this front.

Everyone is welcome. From the fastest to the slowest, from the youngest to the oldest, para, special and specially-abled. However, we are at the mercy of governing bodies such as municipal councils, local police service, the Ministry of Highways etc. In some cases, race events must be fully open to traffic by an agreed-upon time. While we accommodate all, for a few sometimes the finish is not the experience everyone else gets. You are still timed, have a sweep volunteer with you and access to medical, food, awards and draw prizes, hang in there.

During the post-race awards at the Bazan Bay 5K, VIRA offered season passes at the early-bird race including tax and with no admin. fee — how about that! Approximately 105 people took us up on the offer. The next opening of the season pass sales, will be the launch at the Royal Victoria Marathon Expo weekend.

We will have a little something-something added to the season pass launch in October, stay tuned.

Have a great summer of and fall of training, see you at the series launch in January at Frontrunners.

I brought home my best time ever for a 10km. Nothing about this article has to do with that. Just thought you should know. You should also know the McLean Mill 10K was the Kinder Surprise Egg of the series. Y’all, edge of my seat! In reference to my last post about rituals… there was no room for that. So, what do we do when a race goes nothing as planned? 

Step 1: stay warmed up…

Step 2: just run. 

It’s been said before, it’s not the destination, it’s the journey. While I can exaggerate the importance of keeping race day similar to training days, sometimes I don’t have control. It’s going to rain though the forecast said 0% chance of precipitation. It’s going to false start right when the preworkout kicks in. You might cross the finish line just to… cross another? With all that eclipse energy to share, I shouldn’t have been surprised that nothing was how I planned. A gentle reminder that we all came to simply… run. 

Like every race in the series, you can’t help but get lost in the beauty of the course. There’s no hustle and bustle. I zig-zagged the back road forest which canopied the rainfall. That’s why I run. To be lost in amongst trees. I forgot for that moment the stress of this and that and just ran. Yes, race day should have a pressure to play your best. However, the heart in showing up is the love for the run. With the Vancouver Island Run Series, we escape into pockets of the island’s lushest country life. And the McLean Mill 10K was so. As rolling hills take you through the miles you can’t help but feel like a Mario cart driver in the jungle using all gears. The snowcap mountains in the background display you are in fact running at the most beautiful place in the world. And that final stretch UP humbles efforts of going for the fast finish. 

After we cheer Dog Mountain Brewing beer we congratulate each other. Ribbons are handed out while we warm up to the most perfect chilli. A thought I had: I didn’t ask a single person their timing. No one asked mine. You know why? We were all there for the love of running. Our runner’s high didn’t leave space for competition (ok, a little). Rather everyone was smiling and joyously hollering and celebrating. This is the best part of this friendly island cup game. The camaraderie is a balance of chasing goals while catching up with pals. It’s about just running. 

Katelyn Ayers has run for Canada at the World Cross Country Championships. Daniel Damian runs for the UVic Vikes. Both ran new personal best times over the 5K on Sunday, for the wins.

Roslyn Smith set a new Canadian record in the W75-79 category at Bazan, going sub-24.

The series was blessed with sunny skies, very light wind and mild temperatures, a perfect cap to the successful 2024 season.

Update: Season Pass Sale CLOSED. At the Bazan Bay 5K and season finale, the Vancouver Island Runners’ Association will make available a limited quantity of 2025 season passes at a one-time-only discount.

The season passes will be available for $150 all-inclusive. No admin fee will be charged and GST will be included (*season passes reduced by GST amount, total charge $150).

Also, available will be a select number of single race entries at $30 including GST and no admin fee will be charged.

Prepared to fill out a paper race registration form (not arduous), and pay by cash, credit card or e-transfer.

These race registrations — season passes and single race entries — are not refundable, transferrable from race to race or from runner to runner. They will not be available for re-sell to other runners.

Swag

Some remaining inventory of (mostly large) series-branded commemorative arm warmers and gloves will be available at a discount. $10 each, no refunds.

Marsquest Eyewear sunglasses will be available for purchase. Regularly priced at $48, plus GST, they will be available at $36 and three for $79.

Royal Victoria Marathon table

See race director Cathy Noel at the Bazan Bay 5K and season finale for discounts on swag from the various races from the Royal Victoria Marathon. Cash or credit card purchase available.