Despite the recent changeable weather, dedicated local runners have been out pounding the pavement this spring. It’s that time of year when a number of community runs are held, including the two largest 10-kilometre runs in the country.
The first of those was the 27th annual Sun Run, held April 17 in downtown Vancouver. The largest 10-km event in Canada in terms of participation, the run annually attracts more than 50,000 participants from around the world. This year, for the first time since 1998, the Sun Run was won by a Canadian. Eric Gillis from Guelph, Ont., crossed the finish line in 29 minutes and six seconds.
Special congratulations go to Nanaimo’s Kim Galgiano, who was the 61st woman to finish the race, and was second overall in the F50-54 age group thanks to an excellent time of 40:17. Also to Nanoose resident Michelle Stilwell, first in the competitive wheelchair quad division with a time of 36:33.
Fifth overall was Kenyan Willy Kimosop, who won the race two years ago. Kimosop then went on to improve on his Vancouver performance when he placed first last weekend in another hugely-popular run, the TC 10K.
More than 13,000 runners took part in the 22nd annual run in Victoria. The participants lucked out with ideal weather conditions as they inaugurated a new route which took in part of the downtown area as well as the scenic Dallas Road waterfront.
Following Kimosop, two of the other top five runners in Victoria were former Nanaimo residents. Finishing fourth overall in 31:06 was Steve Osaduik, now of Langley. In fifth spot in 31:21 was Kevin Friesen, currently residing in Coquitlam.
Among the large field taking part in Victoria were 242 entrants from the Nanaimo area. Setting the pace for the local contingent was Emmanuel Lint, whose fine time of 39:44 earned him 164th overall.
Then came Gagliano, who was the first Nanaimo woman to finish. She ran the route in 40:56, giving her first place in the F50-54 age division, and 183rd in the total field.
Next from Nanaimo were Matthew Allardyce and Michael Schellinck, with times of 40:56 and 41:25 for 241st and 273rd respectively. Rudi Mayser was 400th, finishing the race in 43:12. Crossing the line shortly afterwards was John Durkin, who was 420th in the field, and seventh in the M60-64 division thanks to a time of 43:21.
Also finishing in the top 1,000 of the large field were Domenico Iannidinardo, 478th in 44:04, and Isaac Morgan who was 531st in 44:31. In 744th spot was Alexander Mayser with a time of 46:13, while Craig Hanson was 842nd overall in 46:59.
Nanaimo’s Barry Darby reached the finish in 48:10, Dennis Sharpe in 48:42, Gary Meyer in 48:52, and Craig Blanchard in 49:05.
The second female Nanaimo runner to the finish was Andrea Biener, who posted a time of 49:26. Following her was Doug Panton in 49:43, Gary O’Brien in 49:55, and then Leanna Frazer in 50:22.
Bruce Benedict and Dennis Heck had identical finishing times of 50:26. Kody Martel’s time was 50:32, and Kelsey Theedom was 50:54. Completing his run in 51:08 was Lee Case, while Randy Smith finished in 51:19.
Clocked at 51:35 were both Kailey Rintala and Peter Skipper, and immediately behind them was Kevin O’Donnell in 51:36. Stephen Hunter finished in 51:42,
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
Ian Thorpe writes about sports Saturdays.