Oceanside Running Club Association had a strong contingent competing in the second race in the Vancouver Island Race Series – Cobble Hill 10K – on Sunday, Jan. 26.
The rain cleared out and the sun was shining, brightening up the spirits of the more than 500 participants that showed up in Sooke.
Mary Beil improved her results from the Harrier Pioneer 8K race by two rungs, placing sixth on the podium in the women’s 65-69 catgory with a time of one hour and 26 seconds. Christine Rivers, returning from an injury, also made the podium, finishing ninth (1.03.47) in the same category.
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ORCA runner Jill Davies finished first in the women’s 75-79 category in a time of 1:04.49 while Rhys Harrison placed fourth in the men’s 70-74 age group. Other ORCA results: Debbie Kuhn (W50-54) 1.09.33; Cathy Byron (W55-59) 1.05.39; Maureen Kenyon (65-69) 1.13.39.
The overall winner was Jim Finlayson of Victoria with a time of 35:31. He also broke the course record in the M45-49 division, set by Craig Odermatt in 2015.
On the women’s side, Jen Millar broke the tape at 36:37.
The Cobble Hill 10K is followed by Cedar 12K on Feb. 9, Hatley Castle 8K on Feb. 23, Port Alberni Paper Chase 15K on March 8, Comox Valley RV Half Marathon on March 22, TriStars Sooke 10K on April 5 and the Synergy Health Management Bazan Bay 5K on April 19.
To register for any of the races in the Island Series go to www.islandseries.org.