The Vancouver Island Race Series Westcoast Sooke 10K saw two new winners on Easter Sunday. Brennen Smith and Jennifer Erickson both with Speedfarm prevailed in the times of 32:17 and 37:23, respectively.
The top two 40-plus masters were Andrew Russell and Catrin Jones both representing the Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club. Russell finished second overall in the time of 32:43. Jones was the third female overall clocking a 38:42 performance.
“It was such a great event today. We are very pleased with how well the winners performed on the rolling course. It is inspiring to see so many people out challenging the course,” shared race director Kathleen Quast. The postponed event was affected by the holiday, where 450-550 finishers would have taken in the race there were just 316. However, those who braved the forecast found great racing conditions with mild temperatures and very light rain and no win.
The real reward is in a race well run, however, Quast and partner Jason Ball, co-race directors ordered up a unique combination of Driftwood Fat Tug IPA and cinnamon buns from Old Town Bakery in Ladysmith.
Next up in the 2023 Vancouver Island Race Series is the Synergy Health Bazan Bay 5K taking place Sunday, April 23, one week prior to the TC10K.
“The Bazan Bay 5K is a great tune-up for the TC10K, because the distance is short enough to recover from in time for the 10K and is valuable race practice,” said TC10K race director Lucy Smith, who despite running now just for enjoyment, placed in her age-group Sunday to help earn points for her team the Prairie Inn Harriers.
Series ambassadors Lucy Smith TC10K race director and Mena Westhaver Sole Sisters coach…
Full results are available at: www.islandseries.org/results/