Hot Scotiabank 1/2 Marathon

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