Comox Valley Road Runners had a great start to the 2015 season, as 24 club runners challenged the Island Series Prairie Inn Harriers 8K road race in Saanich this last weekend.
CVRR athletes achieved first place in three age groups, second in two age groups and third in one more. Fastest runner from the Comox Valley was Derek Vinge, clocking 25:56 for an overall fourth place finish in a large field of 675 entrants. That’s an average speed of just under 19 km/h over eight kilometres!
Not far behind him was Vince Brotherston, who conquered the 50-54 age group with a great 27:37 time. Third for the club and fourth in his age group (55-59) was Roger Plamondon, placing 58th overall with a time of 30:46.
Others placing first in their age group were Wayne Crowe (60-64) coming in at 31:06 and club president Roslyn Smith (65-69) at 36:57. Seconds were achieved by Derek Vinge (30-34) and Ken Richardson (70-74) who finished in 37:56. Marion Bryan cruised in at 33:52 for a third place in her age group (40-44).
Also, welcome to our two European guests who ran with us. Walter Grob, an apprentice cheesemaker from Switzerland, ran a very respectable 33:47 and Christian Porten, a foreign student studying at Vanier, ran a solid 42:18.
FINISH LINES CVRR runners will regroup in two weeks for the next Island Series race on Jan. 25 in Cobble Hill …
– Comox Valley Road Runners