2016 Club 8K Handicap Race

Under almost perfect spring like conditions Saturday, VFAC held it’s 28th annual 8k Handicap Race. It was also one of the best with 12 of 29 peeps beating their projected time, three women breaking 30 minutes for the first time, and three men breaking 27 minutes, possibly for the first time, and definitely the biggest ever award brunch after at Cardero’s (more than raced!). Big congrats to Irish newcomer Rory Moloney for being first home with a solid 27:23 (PB?) time, 6 seconds ahead of Mathieu Champagne (29:34 PB) and 12 seconds up on compatriot (gonna have to keep a quota of Irish members ;-)) Padraic Beades (28:50 PB). Thibault Chassagnette might been the fastest Turtle ever in 29:48 (PB)! Kevin O’Connor, already having put down a solid 25:42 this year in the Pioneer 8K, just wanted to get a solid training run in, but ran a comfortable, negative split 25:43 for fastest time (while pacing Rory in for the win). Drew Nicholson was second fastest with a near PB 26:30, just ahead of Nic Browne’s 26:34, off almost entirely cross training! With a lack of chip timing, Kate Gustafson and Ellie Greenwood were almost too close to call, but according to the video, Kate was a second ahead in a 29:20 for fastest female, while Meredith MacGregor was third in 29:42. Thanks to all who ran, and race photographer extraordinaire Rick Horne, turnaround marshall Jim Davies, and timing helpers Tim Adkins, Guy Smith and Brian Townsend.

Results by actual time:

Kevin O’Connor  25:43
Drew Nicholson  26:30
Nic Browne  26:34
Robert Logue  27:19 PB
Rory Moloney  27:23 PB
Hans Zimmerling  27:53 PB
Kyle Kimura  28:24 PB
Mitch Howlett  28:42
Padraic Beades  28:50 PB
Kate Gustafson 29:20
Ellie Greenwood  29:21
Mathieu Champagne  29:34 PB
Ben Lui  29:34 PB
Meredith MacGregor  29:42
Thibault Chassagnette  29:48 PB
Corri Longridge  30:32 PB
Gemma Slaughter  30:43 PB
Mike Cosentino  30:58 PB
Christian Beaudrie  31:22
Brandon Kirk  31:46 PB
Luc Isaak  31:50 PB
Geoff Scoates  32:18
Julianne Kuch  32:40 PB
Rachael Gardner  33:17
Brandon Quinn  33:22
Jill Delane  34:49
Kim Jow  36:39
Adele Wilson  37:35
Jane Howlett 38:12 PB