The last race in the Frontrunners Island Race Series – the Sooke 10K – took place Sunday, April 13. The race, hosted by the Island Road Racers, had 360 finishers. The race was followed by the series awards.
Derek Vinge from the Comox Valley Road Runners consolidated his lead in the series by winning in 33:14. Nicholas Walker (Frontrunners Athletic Club) was second in 33:26, with Thomas Holm (Prairie Inn Harriers) third in 33:39. Top Master was Vince Brotherston from the Comox Valley Road Runners in 35:01. He also set a M50-54 course record.
The women’s race was won by Melissa Ross (Oceanside Running Club) in 36:26. Second was Nancy Baxendale (Prairie Inn Harriers) in 40:16 and third was Lindsey Chamberlain (Lifesport) in 40:34. Baxendale was also the top female Master. She also set a W50-54 course record.
“What a great day for a race – we couldn’t ask for anything else. The weather co-operated, the volunteers pulled through and we had some course records,” said race director Ken Chew. “What a great way to end the season.”
Other course records were set by Donna Morrissey, W55-59 (44:08), Garth Campbell, M55-59 (37:06), and Roslyn Smith (Comox Valley Road Runners), W65-69 (45:46).
Claire Morgan (Prairie Inn Harriers) won the overall series award with 827 points followed by Derek Vinge (824) and Nicholas Walker (817). Prairie Inn Harriers won the club standings with 3408 points, with Comox Valley Road Runners second (2739) and Bastion Running Club third (2107).
“Congratulations to everyone, participants, sponsors and all of the race directors and committees that hosted the eight races in the Series over the past three months. Today marks the end of the 33rd running of the VIRA – Frontrunners Island Race Series. It was beautiful in Sooke for the 10k today and a great finale to the Series,” said VIRA president Cathy Noel.
For the full results from the series go to www.vira.bc.ca.
– Frontrunners Island Race Series