A Bastion Run Club athlete finished off the Vancouver Island Race Series with a home-course victory.
Melissa Ross was the first woman across the finish line at the Cedar 12K on Sunday, finishing in 48 minutes, nine seconds.
“My coach had planned a tempo run for me so I did a progression run, where I treated it as a workout. I love the course – it is so good for building strength,” said Ross in an event press release.
Victoria’s Nick Walker won the race in 40:24. Top Nanaimo finisher was Jonathan Behnke, fourth in 41:38.
Top female masters finisher was Nanaimo’s Yanna Debelic, third among women with a time of 50:55.
The race saw 262 finishers.
“I would like to congratulate all of the race directors and volunteers for a very professional job in organizing the races” said Jonathan Foweraker, president of the Vancouver Island Runners’ Association. “It has been a terrific series with an increase in registrations and new runner … There was some great competition and camaraderie out there during the season.”
Results include:
Men - Nick Walker, Victoria, 40:24; Dusty Spiller, Duncan, 41:15; Mark Cryderman, Campbell River, 41:18; Jonathan Behnke, Nanaimo, 41:38; Shane Ruljancich, Victoria, 42:29; Shelby Drope, Nanaimo, 43:28; Matthew Winkler, Victoria, 44:16; Peterson Perrin, North Saanich, 44:27; Felipe Edora, Victoria, 44:30; Jerry Loeb, Campbell River, 44:32; Jon Hiller, Nanaimo, 45:45; Nathan Murray, Victoria, 46:04; Mike Gregory, Nanaimo, 46:10; Danny Keyes, Comox, 46:36; Derek Stultz, Duncan, 46:53.
Women - Melissa Ross, Nanaimo, 48:09; Sonja Nelson, Victoria, 50:33; Yanna Debelic, Nanaimo, 50:55; Sara Kelly, Victoria, 51:30; Marcia Jansen, Salt Spring Island, 53:15.