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Disher fastest in age group at half marathon

Les Disher of Courtenay was the fastest runner in the 65- to 69-year age group at the Vancouver Half Marathon June 23, covering the distance in 1:29:27. The next closest competitor in his age group ran 1:44.
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Les Disher pictured at the Vancouver Marathon in May. The next month he ran the Vancouver Half Marathon. File photo

Les Disher of Courtenay was the fastest runner in the 65- to 69-year age group at the Vancouver Half Marathon June 23, covering the distance in 1:29:27. The next closest competitor in his age group ran 1:44.

Disher, 68, hopes to join the select few, worldwide, who have run under three hours in the marathon when he turns 70.

Fellow Courtenay runner Derek Brenchley ran 1:29:28 in Vancouver, finishing third among men in the 60-64 division. Rob Kelly of Comox ran 1:24:53, second fastest in the men’s 55-59 division, and 87th overall. Danny Keyes of Comox ran 1:29:49 for fifth place in the 55-59 class, and Wayne Crowe of Comox finished in 1:30:29 for fourth place among men 60-64 years. Brian Stewart of Courtenay clocked 1:33:31, 10th best among men 55-59.

Campbell River’s Mark Cryderman won the 45-49 men’s category with a clocking of 1:16:41, 20th overall.

More than 3,300 people finished the half marathon. A runner from Milton, Ont. — Ben Preisner — was fastest overall at 1:05:41.