VFAC runners shine in a cold and wet RVM

As the alarm clock sounds and I rise from the warmth of bed, a quick peek outside reveals not exactly what I was hoping for – a dark, rainy and cold Victoria morning. For the past few years, the Royal Victoria Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K seem to be blessed with less than ideal race day conditions, but luckily today the wind is light and at day break the rain tapers off. Many VFAC runners made the pilgramage over to the Island to run this year, along with our fearless leader. Was I running too fast for you to see me at 5k or were you still a little sleepy, John? 😉 In the 8k, Natalie Closs finished 1st in the W30-34 in a 31:25 PB, while Sharon Emslie resumed her PB ways with a 35:05 for 2nd in the W45-49. Kapil Anand ran 30:16 for 6th in the M 16-19, and Pano Skrivanos crossed the line in 32:31 to take 10th place in the M25-29 age group. The half marathon had triathlete Paul Krochak leading the charge with 10th place overall and 5th in M30-34 with a 1:14:58 clocking. Matt Fedoruk finished in a season’s best of 1:17:38 for a 19th overall and 10th in M30-34. Jeremy Waters ran 1:18:52 to place 26th overall, just behind the second overall woman Judith LeRoy, and 11th in M30-34. Rod Urquhart placed 3rd in the M45-49 and continued his excellent season with a strong 1:22:42 PB. Chris Brandt finished 11th in the M35-39 age group in a 1:24:14 PB. Rhys Howard ran 1:37:30 to take 35th in the M45-49 age group. On the women’s side, Rita Ivanauskas ran a 1:25:05 to finish 6th overall woman, and 2nd in the F40-44 age group. Trudi Jackson finished in 1:43:45 and 18th in the F30-34 age group. For the grand event – VFAC athletes showed their stuff and came through with a number of personal bests. Graeme Wilson ran a steady 2:33:09 for a top 5 finish and won the M35-39 age group, the ever gutsy Eddy Smith crossed the line in 9th place overall in 2:44:48, Volker Schneider led the personal bests in 2:56:47, as well as Shu Sanatani in 2:57:47. On the women’s side, Katherine Moore also ran an excellent PB in 3:07:49 to finish as 4th overall woman, winning the F25-29 age group. Walter Kwan also had a 3:28:35 PB. This year’s race was marked by a new course record by Islander Steve Osaduik in 2:16:49, and New Westminster’s Suzanne Evans captured the win on the female side in 2:47:05. Check out the complete RVM results here.