There was something new at B.C.'s oldest continuously held road race this year.
The 46th annual Comox Nautical Days 4 Mile Road Race was held on BC Day (Monday, Aug. 3) in Comox. The event, organized by the Comox Valley Road Runners (CVRR), is the longest continuously held road race in B.C. and is run in conjunction with the Comox Nautical Days Festival.
As such, most runners take part for the fun of it and often make it a family occasion. However, as with all races there is a serious runner element and this year the race was won for the first time by a barefoot runner, Robin Poirier.
"Robin is easily recognizable at local races as he is usually the only person running without footwear," a race spokesperson said. "This obviously does not slow him down as he won the race is an amazing 20 minutes and 39 seconds. The win was a particularly well deserved one for Robin as he has been placed either second or third in the previous three years."
Second place went to local runner and last year’s winner, Derek Vinge, who finished in a time of exactly 21 minutes. Third place went to teenager James Lam who finished in 21:29.
The overall female winner was local athlete and triathlete Gillian Clayton in a time of 25:30. Clayton is a previous winner of Ironman Canada, finishing first at Penticton in 2012. Second was another teenager, Erika Ackerlund, in 26:15 and third went to Kim Hall in 27:36.
"The day was ideal for a running race, with clear blue skies and a race time temperature of 19C," the spokesperson said. "The finish is along Comox Avenue and the crowds who had gathered for both the race and the subsequent parade cheered the runners over their last few hundred metres."
The following runners achieved first place in their respective age group categories:
12 + Under: male Hooper Ellery (37.55); female Cloe Ellery (33.18)
13-19 years: male James Lam (21.29); female Erika Ackerlund (26.15)
20-29 years: male Andrew Howard (23.36); female Lawrence Playford-Beaudet (31.00)
30-39 years: male Robin Poirier (20.39); female Gillian Clayton (25.30)
40-49 years: male Neil Holmes (21.33); female - Fiona Read (29.27)
50-59 years: male - Vince Brotherston (22.45); female - Shelagh Germyn (30.05)
60-69 years: male Derek Richmond (28.00); female Roslyn Smith (29.06)
70 + Over: male George Brose
"CVRR is grateful to the local businesses that support this event year on year," the spokesperson said. "The title sponsor is Jim Smiley of Re/Max Realty. Supplies sponsors are Quality Foods for post-race refreshments, Water Pure & Simple for race water and Tim Hortons for coffee. Draw prize sponsors are The Medicine Shoppe, Blackfin Pub & Restaurant, Coastal Credit Union, Blue Heron Books, Café Amantes and Longlands Golf Course."
– Comox Valley Road Runners