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Kipkoech makes it five in a row – Finlayson sets a Marathon Master’s record – Wodak shatters her own Half Marathon record


October 08, 2018


(Victoria, BC – October 8, 2018) Daniel Kipkoech was determined to come back to Victoria and win his fifth consecutive marathon here, and he came through in style on a cool, rainy day in BC’s capital on Sunday. But the day proved that age has no limits as Jim Finlayson not only broke the Master’s course record, but set a Canadian Master’s age group record. In the Half Marathon Natasha Wodak shattered her own record, winning the women’s BC Half Marathon Championship. The Marathon had 1,339 registrants, the Half Marathon: 3,266, the 8K Road Race 2,384 and the Thrifty Foods Kids Run: 1,000, for a total of 7,989.

Kipkoech, who trains in Lethbridge, ran a strong race from the start and finished in 2:22:39. He led from the get go and enjoyed the cheers from the spectators that have taken them into their hearts since his first win in Victoria in 2014. “I kept hearing my name being called out which kept me going,” he said. Second was Mizael Carrera in 2:24:01 and third was Ryan Smith in 2:24:41. Victoria’s Jim Finlayson set a course age group and Master’s record and a Canadian M45-49 age group record with a time of 2:25:29. The old Master’s course record was set in 1988 by Tom Howard, who also won the very first Victoria Marathon in 1980.

The women’s race was won by Emily Setlack from Cold Lake, AB in 2:46:20, two minutes ahead of Edmonton’s Karissa Lepage (2:48:46). Third was Andrea Lee, who was second last year, bettering her 2017 time by 10 minutes, finishing in 2:48:48. Top female Master and seventh overall was Suzy Slane from Abbotsford, finishing in 3:05:13. This was Setlack’s first Victoria marathon and just her second overall. The undulating hills were a challenge, she said, but like Kipkoech the crowds pulled her through.

Michael Morabito won the Wheelchair category in 3:18:56.

The women’s half marathon was dominated by Wodak who broke the record she set in 2012. Her winning time was 1:11:45, also a F35-39 age group record. Second was Robyn Mildren finishing in 1:15:00 and third was Meg Lewis-Schneider just a few seconds behind in 1:15:31. Lewis-Schneider’s time was a F20-24 age group record. Top female master was Lioudmila Kortchaguina, fifth overall, finishing in 1:18:10.

The 2018 Canadian Half Marathon Champion, Trevor Hofbauer from Calgary, won the half marathon in 1:05:18, equaling the M25-29 age group that Geoff Martinson set in 2013. Second was Jared Carson in 1:06:39 and third was Julian Florez in 1:07:20. Top master, and sixth overall, was Vancouver’s Jerry Ziak who also won the BC Half Marathon Championship.

Jason Cole won the Wheelchair category in 1:36:12. Gregory Tonge won the  Men’s VI category in 2:45:24.

Justin Kent from Burnaby made it two in a row, setting a personal best in the 8K in 23:46, just 20 seconds shy of the course record set by Gary Barber in 1989. Second was Joshua Potvin in 25:00 and third was Victoria’s Nick Walker, with a time of 25:49. Craig Odermatt was top master and seventh overall, finishing in 26:47.

Last year’s half marathon winner Sarah Inglis won the 8K in 27:31. Lindsay Carson, who has won the last four Victoria 8K’s came a close second in 27:36. Third was Nicole Robert finishing in 38:05. Top master and eight overall was Cheryl Nicholls in 31:14. Age group records were set in the F13-15 – Sadie Sigfstead (28:35) – and F80-84 – Karen Vickers (46:17).

There were 6,957 finishers – 1,050 in the Marathon, 2,747 in the Half Marathon, 2,160 in the 8K, plus 1,000 in the Thrifty Foods Kids Run.

For full results from the 39th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon go to:

https://www.runvictoriamarathon.com/results/

The 40th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon will take place on October 13th, 2019.

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For more information contact:

Louise Hodgson-Jones                                          Ulla Hansen
Media Liaison                                                        High Performance Athlete Director
250-812-2518                                                      250-419-3870                             
media@runvictoriamarathon.com            elite@runvictoriamarathon.com


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