Wind slowed times – Colonist

Victorians may claim it rains half as much over there, but on the other hand, can anyone tell me if there were any new windstorms in Vancouver yesterday. On a otherwise beautiful Times-Colonist 10K weekend, a strong headwind still managed to blow solidly from halfway to almost 9km along waterfront Dallas Road. Combined with a gradual but steady climb for about half of that stretch, all hopes of PB’s were blown away. Its too bad, because the new course seems potentially quite fast, and with 8533 finishers, the race has almost the same “buzz” as the Sun Run. Even BC’s next great, Ryan Hayden, despite pacing well for a change and winning easily, had to settle for a time (30:41) 78 seconds slower than his Sun Run. Lucy Smith, who turned 40 days earlier, won the woman’s overall in 34:24. Bob Wade was the first VFAC runner in a very credible 37:52. Rita Ivanauskas ran 38:54, placing 9th overall woman and winning $300 with only Lucy ahead of her among the masters. Trefor Smith ran very well to beat his Sun Run time by 9 seconds in 40:30. Laura De Munain also ran solidly to place 13th woman overall in 40:56. Kirsty Siemens just missed the money, placing 4th overall masters woman (and 3rd 40-44), with a 41:33. Sharon Emslie beat her stitch-slowed Sun Run time easily, with a good 45:38. So, wind or not, the Times-Colonist is still worth the excuse to take a road (well, ferry) trip to Victoria. Marathon (and other) Post Script Graeme Wilson was 1st Canadian and 50th overall in the prestigious but too hot (18-24 degree) London Marathon last weekend in 2:33:40. Yesterday, in the resurrected and fast Eugene Marathon, Chris Brandt convincingly overcame his 3 hour marathon jinx with a 2:56:55. Finally, congratulations are also due to 17 year old Shaun Stephens-Whale, who finished first overall in the Golden Ears 5 Peaks Trail race in 1:07:24.