July 26, 2003 – It was a hot morning for racing at the Summerfast 10k 2003, held in Stanley Park. Even an ocean breeze wasn’t sufficient to keep the runners comfortable. At least, not the highly competitive elites at the front of the pack. Two Islanders won the men’s and women’s races: Aussie triathlete Greg Bennett (training in Victoria for the summer) who showed up in Squamish last year to win that 10k; and Stephanie Mills, who is rapidly moving up in the Series rankings following her win at the Post to Post.

For something a little different, here are race reports from the point of view of two of the elites, Jorge Parra (3rd place and Series overall leader) and Joan McGrath (2nd woman). They provided such good reports we decided to post them here in their entirety rather than just bits and pieces in a new report. Thanks to Jorge and Joan!!!

Jorge Parra’s Summerfast report:

It was a hot summer morning, runners lined up. There was a bit of struggle trying to get everyone behind the narrow start line. But finally the yellow square machines were silent and after a warm welcoming by race director Simon Cowell, we were on our way.

Off went Greg Bennett, world-class triathlete who decided to join the race in the last moment. He quickly opened a 200 metre gap from the front pack of runners and we didn’t see him much longer…

A challenging course due to Stanley Park’s never-ending, running community-annoying construction, we crossed the Lost Lagoon trying as hard as we could to pick up the pace on a non stable surface. Then under the new Georgia Street underpass, puffing, jumping through rocks, dust, and cars, thanks a million for the volunteers directing us and stopping the traffic – “great work!”

We climbed Pipeline Road for a little bit past the rose garden, then made a sharp 150º right turn to cross and jump between roses and flowers. At this point a still compact front pack composed of Robin Weeks, Ken Myers, Kevin O’Connor, Jaime Munoz, Spencer Morrison, Richard Lee, Norm Tinkham, Bertrand Plouvier, Ed Booth and myself took advantage of the only downhill in the course to make display of our abilities. Then into yet another 180º turn left to head onto the seawall en route to our final destination.

This pack stayed pretty much together, changing leadership from time to time until we reached the halfway mark. There a smiling Dave Reed was calling out our split times and I realized that the heat and the strong wind of the morning had drained more than half our energy reserves. With heart and whatever legs we had left, Weeks and I took the leadership (way behind Bennett whom we could not see any longer). Weeks had a bit more left than I did and eventually crossed the finish line in second place in a time of 32:13, opening a 15 second gap on me and leaving me to the dreaded bewitched THIRD place (I need a cleansing!).

While recovering my breath I took a second to bow to this new running God (Bennett), not knowing where he had come from. Bennett commented that the race was fun although the very hot weather and wind plus the sharp turns set him way off his planned pace. He also manifested to us that he would be competing in a triathlon next weekend (thank you for that!), and that he wishes to participate in the Sun Run next year.

A very fit and lean looking Stephanie Mills (is she trying to take the Series from Queen Tinari?) rushed to cross the finish and nabbed first place for women, followed closely by a happy Joan McGrath who, although she is working like a machine, still runs great races.

So slow running for almost everyone, not many records set today; maybe in Squamish we will have better conditions. Great job by the VFAC team. Hope than in ten years the construction is over and we can have our race course back…

Joan McGrath’s Summerfast report:

The race start was a little hairy because we started on the little running/walking path on the other side of the main road. Stephanie [Mills] was in the lead the whole race. Another girl from the Island, Laura Reback, who competes in triathlons was in second place, running just behind Stephanie until Lumberman’s Arch. Stephanie was running a strong race even though it was hot and a little windy on parts of the course.

Stephanie ran with a small group of men and I was able to see her in front the whole way… which is very unusual because I never see her in front—she is so fast!! I passed Laura just before we got near the Lions Gate Bridge. She told me to go get Stephanie just as I told her to stay with me. A lot of VFAC members had been saying how good of a runner Laura was and that she would most likely win the race. I think the heat got her and she went out too fast with Stephanie. She ended up fifth.

The race was tough and I was anticipating a second water station at Third Beach but there was none to be found. I started to fade away and I think a lot of runners did too at that point!

Stephanie started to pick up the pace as we got closer to Second Beach by the pool. Even Alex Seres couldn’t stay with her! She looked strong as she flew along the main stretch up the hill to the finish line. Of course I came in second with my usual finish, puking! Darcie Montgomery took third, after running right behind me the whole way. I could hear Mark Shorter cheering us on but somewhere along the line she faded because I didn’t hear Mark call her name as I passed him.

After finishing I ran back along the course to cheer others on. Betty Jean McHugh and Lenore Montgomery had an excellent race—they were very close together at the finish line. Many people said that it was a hard race due to the many sharp turns, the heat and wind (I enjoyed the wind but can live without the heat!).

So there you have it, the race as seen from front of the pack. For full results see Race Headquarters. Photos are now in the Archives.

Next Series race: Squamish Days 10k, Sunday August 3rd, 9:00am. Flat and fast out-and-back course along quiet roads.

July 1, 2003 – Maple leaves and red and white were abundant at the 4th Annual Post to Post Canada Day 10k in downtown Vancouver on this holiday morning. Starting and finishing just around the corner from the main post office on Georgia Street and looping around False Creek, nearly 800 folks celebrated the holiday by completing the 10k course, way up from 519 finishers last year. An additional unspecified number participated in the 5k fun run / walk, which started under the red-and-white balloon arch with the 10k.

Brightening up the start line with their yellow and black team uniforms were a group of 22 high school girls and their chaperones hailing all the way from Perth, Australia, on a three-week tour of BC and Washington State. Apparently their school sends out a group every year, mostly paid for by the girls’ parents, with assistance from fundraising events such as sheep manure sales and dances (not at the same time, hopefully!).

Following the traditions of previous Post to Post events, a regiment band played a rousing selection of music as the runners warmed up, finishing with the national anthem just before the start. The start was slightly delayed due to the huge number of race-day sign-ups—a good reminder to pre-register in future. Present was BC Lions celebrity Lui Passaglia, who joined the throng of runners after blowing the official starting horn. An enormous Canadian flag, draped over the side of the Canada Post building, billowed dramatically up into the sky in the wake of the racers, as if to wave them on. Meanwhile, back at the registration and awards plaza, volunteers were busily cutting up a giant Canada Day cake—chocolate this year!—into many pieces in preparation for the return of the runners.

Out on the course, a three-man race was developing among Robin Weeks of Vancouver, Ken Myers of Burnaby, and Jorge Parra of Surrey, the current Timex Series leader. Parra, who has raced every event in the 2003 Series, was feeling really good up to about the 8 km point, almost catching up to Weeks as they approached the Cambie Street bridge. “I was going to catch him and pass him over the bridge—then I don’t know what happened, he just took off on me,” recalled a rather depressed Parra afterwards. “I just didn’t have the legs for the uphill.” Coach John Hill admits he was partly to blame, telling Parra at 7k to move up and catch the leader. “Coach made major blunder!” should be the headline according to Hill, who suggested his athlete maybe just needs a rest from all the races this year.

Weeks crossed the finish line in 32:00, trying his best to get there in 31-something. Myers, an SFU student who won the Summerfast 10k in last year’s Series, followed in 32:07 with Parra clocking 32:15 to complete the top three. The next finisher, after a moderate gap, was Bertrand Plouvier in 32:54, chased down by a fast-closing Brian Torrance (32:55), emerging from a chase pack that included Kevin O’Connor, David Polisi, Richard Lee, Jaime Munoz and Spencer Morrison. A group of the top men had started conservatively then picked up the pace in the second half. First they caught Ed Booth, then Lee took off with 3k to go. After that, in the words of O’Connor, “it was every man for himself.” He also noticed Torrance’s cheetah-like finishing speed, dispensing the Kevin O’Connor Tip of the Week: “If you’re running with Brian Torrance with 400m to go, he’s gonna get you!”

Lee, who likes to race shirtless, took first masters honours in 33:02, 7th overall just behind Munoz, while next master Booth, having moved ahead of O’Connor again, raced to the line just behind young Spencer Morrison, first in the 19-24 division. Kelowna’s Rory Switzer took third in the masters, after a “mad dash up the hill to the finish” to beat Art Boileau, who had passed him at 9k. Switzer had been focussing on Booth throughout the race, having finally discovered what he looks like after asking “which one is Ed Booth?” at previous races—but couldn’t get near.

Further back in the masters age group competition, Guy Smith of Coquitlam had been following Vancouver’s Dave Reed, surprised that Reed was “pacing it for a change”. Smith overtook the fellow 45-49’er at 8k and was all set to beat him for the first time ever, until they came around the final bend. “Then,” recounted Smith, “he took 15 seconds out of me on the hills.” (Actually it was only eight seconds, but it must have felt like 15.)

The women’s race, like the men’s, was a 3-person battle, between Victoria’s Stephanie Mills, Coquitlam’s Nancy Tinari (current Series leader) and West Vancouver’s Cindy O’Krane, 1500m specialist who’s been working her way back up the ranks following the birth of her son 5 months ago. The three women stuck together right up until about 6 or 7 km, when O’Krane dropped off the pace, leaving Tinari and Mills to duel it out. Coming off the Cambie bridge Mills, who was not familiar with the course and its uphill finish, put in a surge to pull away from Tinari. “I thought at that point I could still beat her,” said Tinari, “but she had good speed over the last kilometre.” Despite the looming uphill, Mills decided to just put her head down and go, knowing she was on pace for a personal best. Her previous PB of 35:09 was from four years ago, and she was very pleased to beat that today by one second. Mills plans to finish the Series in August after track season is over.

Tinari crossed the line in 35:24, second overall and first female master, while O’Krane easily held third place with a solid 35:54 clocking. “It was a tough course,” noted O’Krane who has a distinctive toe-strike running style, “especially the uneven surface around False Creek—it felt like my feet were getting a little beat up.” Second master and fourth female was New Westminster’s Joan McGrath in 37:12, chased down by North Vancouver’s Darcie Montgomery (37:27). Over a minute later during which no other women finished, Leslie Black nabbed third masters position in 38:37. She was also the lucky winner of a Canada Post employee draw prize of a day off with pay!

First runner in the 13-18 category was a young woman, Casey Berardo of North Vancouver in 41:16. Not far behind her was the first male in that age group, 13-year-old Shaun Stephens-Whale of Roberts Creek, in 41:53. Despite having asthma, this Elphinstone student loves to run and participates in as many races as he can, even up to the half-marathon distance.

For full results please see Race Headquarters. Photos are now in the Gallery Archives.

Next Series race is the flat and fast Summerfast 10k, Saturday July 26th at 8:30am, Ceperly Picnic Area in Stanley Park.

June 14, 2003 – Timex Series runners and many others welcomed the return of the Sandcastle City Classic 10k to the waterfront route ending at the White Rock promenade, as evidenced by the solid turn-out last Sunday.

A total of 330 runners made their way from Crescent Park Elementary School to the beach, helped along by both a fair amount of downhill and a strong tailwind. Many were surprised by their times, which caused some to question the length of the course, but we have been assured by the organizers that it was measured more than once—must have been the drop in elevation combined with the wind! As noted by Vancouver’s Kevin O’Connor who pointed out that there were some uphills along the way, “if anyone got a PB today, take it!”

Matthew Holton, visiting from Flagstaff, Arizona with his girlfriend to attend her friend’s wedding, came very close to cracking the 30 minute mark on the fast course. The University of Oregon graduate, who is currently trying to make the US Olympic Trials for the marathon, had an enjoyable race despite partying a little hard at the wedding the night before—including his first Cuban cigar which left him somewhat queasy. Holton went out with the lead pack, pulled through the first mile in 4:46 by O’Connor who admitted it was “way too quick.”

O’Connor, who remembered his racing shoes this time, paid the price for the speedy first mile, backing off the pace until somewhere around the 7 km mark when he recovered enough to get back to speed.

Meanwhile, the rest of the pack stayed together for the first 5k or so, then Holton moved ahead with North Vancouver’s Colin Dignum on his heels. “[Dignum] was breathing down my back until about 8 or 9 km,” recalled Holton, “then I picked it up a bit.” He stormed down the final hill to reach the finish line in 30:01 with an 11-second margin.

Dignum, Series champion from 1999-2002, is currently trying to get back in top shape after struggling this spring to stay consistent while juggling work and family commitments. “Usually I don’t use that as an excuse,” he admitted, “but for some reason this year it’s been really tough.” After the fast downhill start his game plan was to hang on to Holton as long as possible, which eventually left everybody else behind. At about the 6k mark Dignum thought he could stick with the American right to the finish, but a gap started to open up after 8k. Still, he was very pleased with his 30:12 result, having anticipated finishing somewhere in the 31-minute range.

Another 14 seconds back, in third spot was Jorge Parra of Surrey, who is currently leading the Series, having run all 9 races so far and finishing quite consistently in the top three among BC competitors. Parra actually competed in the previous evening’s Harry Jerome 10,000m, even running an extra lap, so some were surprised to see him out in White Rock.

Blazing through the course in a league of her own was women’s Series leader and master Nancy Tinari of Coquitlam, who was hoping to run near 34 minutes on this course. So you could say she was somewhat surprised when she saw the clock reading in the 32 minute range as she approached the line! Her finishing time was an outstanding 33:02. She felt almost out of control sprinting down the final big hill, having lots of speed left. “I felt like I could have run another 5 km when I finished,” claimed Tinari. “This was my fastest time this year by two and a half minutes!”

A couple of minutes back in an excellent 34:43 was New Westminster’s Joan McGrath, also in the Masters category, with no women around her. The battle for third place was happening another two minutes back, between Helen Tremlett of Vancouver and another Master, Cindy Rhodes of Kelowna. Running strongly over the last section despite a very fast first mile, Rhodes caught up to Tremlett after running on her own much of the way. However, Tremlett was determined not to let Rhodes pass her and make it a 1-2-3 masters sweep for the women. They ended up clocking 36:46 to 36:48 in favour of Tremlett.

First male Masters finisher and 4th overall was Port Coquitlam’s Richard Lee with a quick 30:42 to stay well ahead of next master Ed Booth (31:36) of Vancouver. Rounding out the masters category was Kelowna’s Rory Switzer, trailing Booth in 31:47.

O’Connor, once back on track for the last 3 km, was able to chase down and surpass Booth near the finish, but it was a little too late and he finished out of the medals. Ahead of him was young Spencer Morrison in the 19&U group, with an excellent 31:06—over 4 minutes ahead of the next junior competitor.

Particularly thrilled with his finish time was 6th place Simon Driver of Vancouver. “I wanted to go out slow because I knew there’s a few hills in it,” he explained. “After seeing my 5k split (15:17) I got really nervous—I don’t think I’ve ever run 5k that fast!” His previous best 10k was 32:29, so his 30:54 Sandcastle result is a huge PB. Agreeing with O’Connor’s philosophy, he’ll take it!

More outstanding results were produced by the more “senior” age groupers—the women’s 50-59 division was won by Sandi Halgren of Bellingham in just 38:12, and North Vancouver’s Lenore Montgomery cruised ahead of all other women 60 and over (and many men too!) with a 47:33 win in the 70+ category. The men’s 70+ winner was over 12 minutes slower. Peter Pollhammer, also of North Van, took home a coveted sandcastle trophy for the 60-64 division with his 38:24.

Complete results are at Race Headquarters, and photos are in the Archives. For age-graded results click here (PDF).

Next Series race: Post to Post Canada Day 10k on, of course, Canada Day July 1st (a Tuesday). A great way to celebrate!

May 25, 2003, Vancouver – Peter Cardle of North Vancouver had no problem winning the eighth race of the Timex BC Road Running Series in Kerrisdale this morning, as all went according to plan — including breaking Neil Holm’s course record set in 1999. Cardle’s new record of 25:09 beat the old mark by seven seconds.

“It’s a tough course,” noted Cardle afterwards. “Even the downhill kilometre is hard, with two sharp turns.” He was feeling pretty good from the gun, so he “just went” and no one really went with him. Cardle knew exactly what the course record was, because Holm beat him that day in 1999. “I was hoping that if I had a good enough race I could not only win but also get the course record.” He had a good enough race!

Cardle also explained that his training is going “pretty well but not that great,” so he was quite happy with the Shaughnessy results. They bode well for a good 10,000m at the Harry Jerome track classic June 7th, followed by the 5000m at the national Track & Field Championships in Victoria.

Second overall behind Cardle was current Series leader Jorge Parra of Surrey in 25:33, while third went to Spencer Morrison of Vancouver, setting a new 19 & Under age group record for this event.

The women’s race was won in 28:29 by another North Vancouverite, Janine Moffett, recent runner-up in the adidas Vancouver Half-Marathon and winner of Series event #1, the ‘First Half’ Half-Marathon. Her 8k time was a minute off the overall women’s course record set by Nancy Tinari in 2000 (27:28), but it was a record for the 25-29 women’s age group.

“It was a change for me to run 8k after doing a couple of Half Marathons and a 12km race last weekend,” commented Moffett. “It felt short and fast. I didn’t feel fresh, because I have been doing more mileage lately, but it was a good race to work on some more speed again.” Moffett was happy with the win, even though she didn’t achieve the time she had been aiming for.

Only nine seconds behind Moffett was Stephanie Mills of Victoria, who appeared to be enjoying her race, even smiling for the camera at the half-way point. Third overall woman was New Westminster’s Joan McGrath, also first female master, in 29:44, pulling away in the later stages from 20-24 age group leader Anne Barrington of St. John’s Newfoundland. Leslie Black took second in the masters, with Cindy Rhodes of Kelowna nabbing third.

Race organizers were pleased to announce that the race entries were up considerably over 2002, with 498 entries including 5K walkers. A total of five age group records were broken, plus the men’s age-graded record.

New age group records in 2003:
Spencer Morrison, men 19 & under – 26:04
Janine Moffett, women 25-29 – 29:08
Peter Cardle, men 30-34 – 25:09
Jim Swadling, men 55-59 – 28:16
Steve Odwin, men 65-69 – 34:24

Men’s Age graded record:
Jim Swadling – 28:16 actual time (24:05 age graded time), 88.4% performance standard.

BJ McHugh said she felt “pretty crummy” but was glad to finish. “At 4k I was trying to find a shortcut back!” But of course she kept going and went on to win the female age-graded award, in typical BJ fashion.

In the masters men’s division, Dave Reed started out strong, leading Ed Booth by about 20 metres in the first half of the course. Reed has been doing “lots of track training”, focusing on speed but not endurance, so it wasn’t long before he began to fade and Booth took over the lead. “I couldn’t do anything about it,” bemoaned Reed, “I wish it was a 5k course!”

Meanwhile Booth was feeling very good after running “relaxed” in the first 4k, following Reed but feeling confident that he could catch him in the later stages. “I’ve been going out harder in other races, but struggling in the last few kilometres,” explained Booth, “so I wanted to run easier in the first half and finish strong.” Once he caught Reed they ran together for about 1 km, then Booth pulled away, executing his race plan perfectly. He even managed to hold off a younger runner, Paul Skarsgard, over the last 400m to maintain his position overall, finishing in 26:54. Reed crossed the line at 27:26, while third master was Coquitlam’s Guy Smith in 27:59.

One final note from Kevin O’Connor – if any of you saw him running fast in the wrong direction as you were finishing, he’s got a message: “Remember your shoes!” O’Connor ended up racing solo after going home to pick up his racing flats at the last minute and missing the start. “I’ve been racing 25 years and this is the 1st time I’ve forgot my racing shoes,” he said. His solo effort was self-timed at 26:30, which would have put him in fifth place.

For full race results see Race Headquarters. Age-graded results are posted at BC Athletics. Photos in the Archives.

Next Series race: Sandcastle City Classic, June 8th, White Rock (“Back to the Beach”).

April 5, 2003, North Vancouver — This will be a short race report as everyone was too cold to hang around for interviews after the North Shore 5k!

Spring was nowhere to be seen as the participants were subjected to freezing rain, hail and generally miserable conditions in the Seymour Demonstration Forest at this year’s annual 5k and half marathon hosted by VFAC.

Finishing as quickly as possible was on everyone’s mind, but North Vancouver’s Peter Cardle led the way, completing the 5k distance in 15:16. He was followed by a steady stream of finishers tuning up for the Sun Run, starting with 19 & under star Chris Winter (North Van) in 15:22, defending Series champion Colin Dignum (North Van) in 15:25, then Shane Bilodeau (Vancouver), first master Rob Lonergan (North Van), and Jorge Parra (Surrey) ticking off the seconds from 15:27 to 15:29.

Vancouver’s Ed Booth was the second master to finish (16:07), while Andrew Tuovinen edged out Mike Moon by three seconds for third masters honours.

The women’s race was a 2-person battle between master and defending Series champ Nancy Tinari of Coquitlam and distance standout Tina Connelly of Port Coquitlam, who is getting back to speed very quickly after recently having her first baby. With no one else anywhere close behind these two, Connelly prevailed in 17:11 with Tinari finishing six seconds later.

Third overall was Burnaby’s Aundrea Bertoia in 18:30, with another new mum, Cindy O’Krane of West Vancouver, taking fourth in 18:43. Langley’s Lisa Hamelin rounded out the top five with a strong 18:53.

Cindy Rhodes of Kelowna, winner of race #4 in Kamloops, had to settle for second place female masters this time, clocking 19:03 in the freezing conditions. Adele Wilson of North Vancouver took third masters spot in a very good 19:32.

For complete race results see Race Headquarters: www.raceheadquarters.com/results/2003/run/north5.htm. Rankings and photos are posted on this site.

Next race was the Vancouver Sun Run, April 13th — see www.sunrun.com for all results and stories, or get your hands on a copy of the April 14th Vancouver Sun.

March 16, 2003, Kamloops — Good conditions this year brought out over 230 competitors to the Spring Run-Off 10k. They enjoyed relatively mild temperatures and sunshine, in sharp contrast to the sub-zero winter storm conditions of 2002, when it was so cold that the large jugs of bottled water were frozen!

Jorge Parra of Surrey increased his overall Timex BC Series lead by adding 30 points to his total at the Spring Run-Off 10k on March 16 in Kamloops, race #4 in the Series. Previously leading by just 1 point over Shane Bilodeau, Parra completed the course in 32:29, over a minute ahead of second finisher Trevor Jordan of Vernon.

Just behind these two were a couple of Kelowna runners, Rory Switzer in the Masters category and 35-39 competitor Brent Goldsmith, who ran neck and neck for 7 km before Switzer moved ahead to gain a 17 second lead at the finish. “It was a great race, and a surprisingly nice course,” commented Switzer, who also noted that the wind was not a factor on this new route, which he liked much better than the old one.

Second place male master was Perry Grunenberg of Kamloops in 36:43, with Vancouver’s John Jackson next, leading a trio of consecutive over-50 finishers, including Cache Creek’s Jack Miller and New Westminster’s Nick Stark.

Cindy Rhodes of Kelowna went for the win in 38:09, running just hard enough to maintain a comfortable lead over second place Sarah Clark of Vernon (38:29) and Summerland’s Sam Saunders in third (38:36).

Rhodes, now in the 45-49 category and multiple winner of the Royal Victoria Marathon, continues to dominate the Interior women’s running scene as she has for so many years. With Kamloops being her third race completed in the Timex BC Series, she now sits in third place overall.

Jacquie Perrault of North Vancouver led over the initial part of the route, with Rhodes right behind her at first, then beside her when they were joined by Clark. Rhodes took over the lead with Clark on her heels. “I was hoping for 39 minutes, so I’m happy with a 38:09,” said Rhodes afterwards. She was also pleased with the mild and calm conditions. “My 5k split today was faster than my 5k race last weekend in Coquitlam!”

Second female master was Vancouver’s Ilze Rupners in the 50-54 category, completing the flat course in 41:43. Jane Perry of Williams Lake rounded out the top three masters with a 43:32 clocking.

Full race results can be viewed here, and photos are in the archives.

March 9, 2003, Coquitlam — Braving near-freezing temperatures, sleet and wind to top it all off, participants in the NetNation 5k Spring Classic showed their dedication to running as they completed the two-lap course on the paths around Coquitlam’s Town Centre Stadium this morning.

Race #3 of the Timex BC Road Running Series, this event attracted a good field in the open, masters and junior age groups. Also a big drawing card was the offer of cash prizes for overall, age-graded and team awards — there were even draw prizes of $50 cash given away.

Mark Bomba of Kajaks Track & Field Club struck out on his own from the gun, figuring he’d just go hard and “see what happened”. Brent Corbitt, a fellow Kajaks now attending college in Arkansas and just visiting home for an indoor track meet, chased Bomba around the course but didn’t have the speed to catch him at the end. Bomba, who described the race as “frozen”, captured the overall win in 14:55 with Corbitt trailing by just 3 seconds in 14:58.

Sixteen year old Chris Winter of North Vancouver ran with the leaders for the first half of the course, dropping back eventually but easily holding onto third place in 15:17. Another sixteen year old, Joel Primus of the Valley Royals T&F Club, took fourth spot in 15:38.

The masters race took place between Ed Booth and Larry Nightingale, former teammates back in their university years, both recently turned 40. Booth tried to go with the leaders at the start but quickly found himself in the second pack, while Nightingale started conservatively and worked his way up in the field.

Booth raced with Norm Tinkham, taking turns being in front of one another, ending up in a pack that included Jaime Munoz and 16-year old Ryan Keigher. Near the finish Nightingale put on a burst of speed and kicked ahead of the other four, who crossed the line almost as a single unit less than one second later in 16:15. After Nightingale and Booth, third master was Dave Reed in 16:49, who complained of not racing his best after taking longer than usual to recover from the ‘First Half’ Half Marathon a month ago.

The women’s field was dominated by City Track member Leah Pells, in her “first serious race” since having her first child, a boy, 8 months ago. Pells ran unchallenged to a 16:33 finish, just behind the pack that included Booth and Tinkham. “I wanted to run a lot faster than that, but it was just so cold,” she noted. “It was hard to warm up.”

Behind her in second place (17:18), Coquitlam’s Nancy Tinari was also hoping to run faster, but considering the conditions was happy with her race. She never saw Pells, even at the start, but was aiming for an age-graded win so ran against the clock. Her efforts were not quite enough, as Pells’ age-graded time worked out to be just two-tenths of a percentage point ahead (0.898 to 0.896).

As in the men’s race, a young athlete took third place in the women’s race. Anita Campbell of the Valley Royals, just 15 years old, ran 17:50 to stay well ahead of fourth place Aundrea Bertoia.

Tinari was the first masters woman to finish, while Cindy Rhodes of Kelowna took second place honours in 19:12. Adele Wilson of North Vancouver rounded out the top three female masters in 19:38.

For 75 year old B.J. McHugh of North Vancouver, who set a new age-group world record in the Honolulu Marathon a couple of months ago, just getting to the start line was a challenge today. A bit of partying the night before, plus getting a little lost in Coquitlam, left her scrambling to the start line moments before the gun went off. “I finished the race late, too!” she remarked later. “And I can’t use the cold weather as an excuse, or even the party last night.” Always looking at the positive side of things, McHugh then added, “at least I did it.” A good thought for anyone who ventured out in the wind and freezing rain for this race.

Full race results can be viewed on the BC Athletics site, and photos from the race are in the Photo Archives.

Next Timex Series race is the Spring Run-Off 10k in Kamloops, March 16th at 10:00 am. This event is also part of the Interior Road Race Series. We can only hope that spring-like conditions do occur — last year it was so cold that the bottled water froze (the large 18L jugs!). However, previous years have seen a balmy +15C, so anything goes.

February 9, 2003, Vancouver — The rain held off for the Pacific Road Runners ‘First Half’ Half Marathon but temperatures stayed low under grey skies as 2000 participants wound their way around the Stanley Park seawall this winter morning. With a city-imposed participant limit this event sold out five weeks in advance, two weeks earlier than the 2002 event, demonstrating the ever-growing popularity of this early season test of fitness.

A large leading pack of men including Neil Holm, Jorge Parra, Shane Bilodeau, Bertrand Plouvier, Colin Dignum and Jay Barberie stuck together for a good portion of the distance, gradually thinning out as some couldn’t keep up the pace. Defending champion Dignum had known before the start that he probably wouldn’t finish due to a case of plantar fasciitis, and ended up dropping out after about 9 miles.

Holm, Parra and Barberie were left to battle it out over the final section. Holm, who hails from Vancouver Island, pulled away slightly with a mile to go and ran hard to keep his lead, not really sure what was happening behind him. Parra did manage to gain back some ground but it was not quite enough to catch Holm, who finished 1 second ahead in 1:09:55.

Barberie sprinted in a few seconds later in 1:10:02, over a minute ahead of the rest of the broken-up pack who were led by Bilodeau in fourth and Plouvier in fifth. Bilodeau had been paying all week for his victory at the Ice-Breaker 8k, bothered by stiff leg muscles and not even sure if he would run today.

The women’s race unfolded quite differently, with North Vancouver’s Janine Moffett striking out on her own at a 5:40 per mile pace right from the start and maintaining that speed for most of the 13.1 mile distance — unchallenged.

With two young children (ages 1 and 3), Moffett hadn’t run a half marathon for about 5 years. Even then she never recorded a serious race time at the distance, so today’s impressive 1:16:10 counts pretty much as her first half-marathon. She was a little unsure if the initial pace wasn’t too fast, but things worked out. “There were times where I felt exhausted and wondered if I could keep up the pace, but overall I just really enjoyed myself – It was a great distance, a beautiful course and there were encouraging people to run with and spectators constantly cheering me on.”

Meanwhile, Vancouver’s Alison Rendell set off at a hard pace behind Moffett, with Coquitlam’s Nancy Tinari, New Westminster’s Joan McGrath, and Alysun Deckert in a chase pack. After about 3 miles McGrath dropped off the pace, finding it a little too intense. By 4 miles Tinari and Deckert caught Rendell and the three women ran together for a few miles. Later, Deckert fell back leaving Tinari and Rendell racing for second position. But the early pace was to take its toll.

“Same as always, I blew up at 9 miles,” commented Tinari after the race. Rendell suffered the same fate. Meanwhile, McGrath did the opposite, running very strongly to overtake these two from a long way back. “Joanie ran an incredible second half,” noted Tinari. “She made up a huge deficit to catch me and Alison.” Deckert also gained back lost ground, though not quite enough to move ahead of Tinari and Rendell.

At the finish line it was McGrath second in 1:19:02, with Rendell hanging on gamely in 1:19:07 but looking very uncomfortable, followed by Tinari in 1:19:21 and then Deckert in 1:19:32.

Despite her less-than-perfect race outcome, in age-graded scoring Tinari was highest-ranked, followed by 70+ age grouper Betty Jean McHugh (1:53:48) and McGrath. First male in the age-graded rankings was Neil Holm, placing 5th.

Top three male masters were Rory Switzer in 1:14:01 (7th place overall), Andrew Tuovinen (1:15:13, 9th place), and Dave Reed (1:16:06). Leading female masters were McGrath, Tinari, and Leslie Black (1:25:02).

Next Series race is the NetNation 5k Spring Classic at the Pinetree Community Centre in Coquitlam, Sunday March 9th, 9:00 am. Enter on-line from www.bcathletics.org/RRSeries/netnation_details.htm.

February 2, 2003, Richmond — The 2003 Timex BC Road Running Series got underway this morning with a very successful running of the annual Kajaks Run Inn Ice-Breaker 8k. Numbers were up from last year with over 250 competitors completing the route. The weather cooperated for a change and stayed dry with just a touch of fog, and a solid competitive field showed up to challenge one another.

In the men’s race, Jorge Parra and Colin Dignum blasted off the start line for a very fast first mile, leaving the rest of the field wondering when and if they’d come back. Following them in third place, Shane Bilodeau knew better and bided his time, catching them near the 3 km mark as they began to slow down to a more “normal” pace.

By halfway Parra and Dignum were feeling the effects of their early speed, and Bilodeau began to move ahead. They wouldn’t give up their lead easily, though, and though Bilodeau stayed ahead right to the finish (25:22), the other two weren’t far behind — Parra 7 seconds back, Dignum a further 6 seconds back in 25:29 and 25:35, respectively.

A “chase pack” of four made up of masters Ed Booth, Dave Reed, Larry Nightingale and open competitor Jaime Munoz stuck together until the last 500m or so when Booth inched ahead to nab fourth spot in 26:13. Reed, Munoz and Nightingale followed in close succession, the finishing kick determining who got there first. Only 2-3 seconds separated each of these finishers.

The women were led by defending Series champion Nancy Tinari in 28:18, well ahead of strong-running second place Stephanie Mills (28:41) and third place Liz Ramage (29:39). Tinari is in the masters category, so earned double honours by being first master and open winner.

Second female master was Jackie Holloway in 4th overall (29:53) with Cindy Rhodes of Kelowna claiming third master’s position in 30:24.

First junior male to complete the out and back route was Niels Hanson, age 16, in 31:11, while his female counterpart was another 16-year-old, Jessica Bruhn, with a 35:57 clocking.

Full race results can be viewed on the BC Athletics main site.

Series race #2 is coming up this weekend, Feb 9th: the Pacific Road Runners “First Half” 1/2 Marathon, starting at the Roundhouse Community Centre in False Creek at 8:30 am. Registration is closed as the 2000-runner limit was reached in early January. If you didn’t enter but want to be involved they always appreciate extra volunteers and enthusiastic spectators!

The points you earn throughout the Series will not be “re-calculated” at the end of the Series, as has been done for the past few years. We are returning to the original scoring method where non-qualifiers are NOT removed from the individual race points.

This means that as the end of the Series approaches, you will know exactly where you stand in the rankings. It also means that slower runners will not scoop up 30 points just by being the only ones from the Series to go to a particular event.

We will continue to eliminate non-BC runners from the race scoring, so don’t worry about the out-of-province elite field in the Sun Run and Times Colonist 10k’s — they won’t affect your score!