Archive for June, 2006

Thought I would share the next cool thing coming to a store near you…the new Nike + iPod Sport Kit. Appears quite cool at first glance - plug in the receiver into your iPod and then sensor goes into the sole of your special Nike+ shoe. Kind of like 007? Sign-up on the website: www.nikeplus.com and you’re good to go. Compete with your friends for the highest mileage…perfect for the A-type personality in all of us.

Now there will be even more of those freaks out on the trails, not aware of anyone around them, and busting out the miles just so they can download their running distances and compare with their buddies when they get home. Great.

Despite very hot conditions (18 degrees and rising fast at the 7AM start), 5 VFAC runners still managed PR’s and 4 of these also received top 3 age-group merchandise prizes (albeit with a couple aided by the no double-dipping rule).

The race was won by Giitah MacHaria leading a tight pack of 3 African-Ontarians in 1:04:29, while Calgarian Lisa Harvey was 50 seconds ahead of local master and past Olympian Leah Pells in 1:18:48 to lead the women.

Graeme Wilson led the VFAC contingent in a 1:10:58 PR to finish 11th overall amongst the 3500 participants (and 2nd in Men 35-39 category). Graeme continues his stellar season of new PRs, and is now ranked 5th in the Overall Canadian Men’s Marathon rankings as compiled by www.marathoncanada.com

New Squamish resident Volker Schneider was next in a solid 1:25:17, followed by Shu Sanatani with a 1:26:15 PR. Natalie Closs led our women with a 1 1/2 minute PR in 1:30:49 to finish 10th overall female and 2nd 30-34. Close behind were Jane DeLemos in a 1:31:10 PR (3rd/4th 40-44) and new member Katherine Moore 1:31:23. Renewing her usual PR running ways was Sharon Emslie in 1:39:20 (3rd/4th 45-49).

Full results are available at www.canadarunningseries.com/svhm/svhmRESULT.htm

The 3rd annual Grouse Mountain Seek the Peak race was held this past Saturday. The race was a challenging 16-kilometer course that started at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver, wound its way through North Vancouver, headed up the legendary Grouse Grind then up to the Peak of Grouse Mountain descending back down to the chalet.

This year’s Seek The Peak was a Canadian qualifying race for the World Mountain Running Championships being held in Bursa, Turkey on September 10, 2006. Several top mountain runners from the lower mainland and outside of the province came to compete for a spot on the National team to represent Canada at the World Championships.

Simon Driver of VFAC proved he was the King of the Mountain in an epic battle up the North Shore mountain trails edging out Vancouvers Michael Tighe by just 7 seconds.

Katrina Driver also of VFAC, and Simon’s wife, showed her mettle claiming first in another close race, crossing the line just 2 seconds ahead of Carole McClean.

Their first place finishes were even more impressive considering they just ran the ING Ottawa Marathon on May 28th!

I think Simon and Katrina should put September 24th, 2006 on their race calendars the Grouse Mountain Run is rumored to be offering an even larger cash purse than last years event.

Seek the Peak race results here.

After days of glorious weather, the skies opened up on Thursday afternoon and the relentless rain pounded the athletes at the 23rd Annual Harry Jerome International Track Classic held Thursday night at Swangard Stadium in Central Park, Burnaby.

In recent years, numbers of athletes have diminished and the format of the meet has been changed to more of a friendly competition format between Canadian and Chinese athletes. This year, the addition of an Alberta vs. BC category brought a few more homegrown athletes out to the track and field competition. As usual, the crowds were mostly made up of hard core track and field fans, willing to brave the chilly temperatures to watch some rather impressive performances despite the horrid conditions.

We arrived in time to take in the 800m, Canadian Olympian Diane Cummins cruising to a comfortable win in 2:04.23 in front of Lui Qing of China. On the men’s side, Achraf Tadili took out the pace hard behind the rabbit, and led for the entire race, finishing in 1:46.87. In the 1500m, Canada finished one-two with Megan Metcalfe cruising by Malindi Elmore in the final 100m to finish in 4:13.22. In the men’s race, Ryan McKenzie dominated the race from start to finish in 3:43.88, with Matt Kerr from Ontario outkicking Paul Hoffman of Australia crossing the line in 3:45.95 for second place.

Tyler Christopher crushed the competition in the Men’s 400m, finishing in the second fastest time ever run at the Harry Jerome Track Classic in 45.30. On the women’s side, Sheena Johnson from the USA, outleaned Canada’s Adrienne Power to finish in 52.85.

All in all, not a bad night of racing. Canada dominated China in most events, the final points totals:

1. Canada - 96
2. China - 75

However, I can’t help but think if there had been some more distance events - namely a 3000m steeple, 5000m, and 10,000m, things might have been much different. It’s always great to get a glimpse of some previous Olympians and Olympic Champions. I miss the glory days of the 90’s when some big names in track and field made the trek to Vancouver - Bruny Surin, Jeff Schiebler, Carl Lewis, Suzy Hamilton, and always a large Japanese distance contingent to compete at Harry Jerome.
Hey John, sorry for playing hooky from workout!

Wet streets greeted about 200 runners for the point-to-point White Rock Sandcastle 10K race the first Sunday in June.

Infamous for its fast times due to some great downhill stretches in the last 2k of the race, the usual suspects at the front vied for the win. VFAC’s number 1 “fast-guy” Graeme Wilson finished just behind leader Oliver Utting in 32:01, no doubt with a little less than 100% in his legs, only 4 weeks after running a blistering 2:28 in the Vancouver Marathon. Top VFAC Master runner Dave Reed finished first in his age group (Men 50-54) in 34:24, and was the second overall Master.

Tyler Ginther, a regular in the Timex Series this year, from South Surrey, crossed the line a few paces behind Dave in 34:35.

Jo Astoria hammered out a sub-36 minute performace finishing in 35:38 and vice-president Rod Urquhart ran in a couple minutes later in a personal best of 37:34.

Wayne Guest on the comeback trail finished in 40:28 and Dan Quon crossed the line in 45:18.

On the women’s Masters side - Sharon Emslie kicked it in at 44:30 and Lilian Wong finished in 48:01.

Great job everyone. Six more Timex Races to go!!

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