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.