The Comox Valley Road Runners running club was well represented at the 2016 GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon, Half Marathon and 8-km. Road Race Oct. 9.
Roger Plamondon was the fastest club member in the marathon with a time of 3:12:33, good for second in his age category, and Les Disher (M65-69) and Derek Brenchley (M60-64) each won their respective divisions.
Marion Bryan was the top female finisher from the Road Runners, finishing fourth in her category with a time of 3:29:35. Mark and Debra Arsenault also had strong finishes in the marathon, which is a qualifier for Boston.
In the half marathon, Road Runners club coach Neil Holm finished eighth out of more than 2,300 finishers and won his M50-55 category. Roslyn Smith, fresh off an injury, likewise took top spot in her F65-69 category.
The top local female in the half marathon, however, was Andrea Prager with a time of 1:38:18; Brandon Reeder finished fifth in the M-U19 category in his first ever half marathon.
Other local half marathon runners included John Youds, Sharon Bearpark, Sandra Linhart, Sheila Van Gisbergen, Wendy Sutton, Thomas Dargie, Sonja Leach, Jane Swintak and Leslie Dargie.
Club members Tom Munro and Cindy Blackmore both ran the 8K race, with Blackmore finishing an impressive eghth out of 125 runners in her category.
“We’re incredibly proud of our athletes,” says Comox Valley Road Runners president Roslyn Smith. “Not only was our club well represented in terms of numbers, but they all achieved impressive results, be they podium finishes or personal goals.”
Founded in 1980, the Comox Valley Road Runners comprise more than 150 members spanning all ages and running abilities. The club hosts regular group runs, and a Tuesday evening track workout.
Individual membership is just $20 for the year ($30 for families), and non-members are always invited to participate in a free session. Come learn more about the club at the annual Memorial Run and General Meeting on Nov. 27. For details, visit www.cvrr.ca.
Many runners are now looking forward to the Perseverance Run held in Cumberland Oct. 23, which is a super fun trail running event and a fundraiser for the Cumberland Community Forest Society.