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JESSICA SMITH TO COMPETE IN THE BIG APPLE

 

JESSICA SMITH TO COMPETE IN THE BIG APPLE ON SATURDAY, January 28th

Valley Royal runner Jessica Smith is traveling to New York to compete in the 800-meters at this Saturday’s first ever US Open Track and Field meet to be held at Madison Square Gardens.    In 2011 Smith had a big breakthrough over 800-meters as she ran the distance in a time of 2:01.54 at the Harry Jerome meet.  A graduate of Simon Fraser University, Smith is focused on qualifying for this summer’s London Olympic Games.

In New York, Smith will be matched against Ajee Wilson (USA) a high school sensation who last year won the 800-meters at the World Youth Championships in a time of 2:02.64.  Also entered in the event is Ethiopia’s Fantu Magiso a 20-year old that in 2011 had a world leading junior division time of 1:59.17.

While Smith is in New York three Valley Royal athletes will be in Seattle on Saturday to compete in the University of Washington’s Invitational.  Mike Mason, who two week’s ago won the high jump at this same venue (2.17 meters), will be out to improve on that performance.  Ruky Abdulai, priming for the heptathlon event at this coming summer’s London Olympic Games, will compete in the high jump, shot put and 60-meter hurdles in Seattle while Brianna Kane will run the women’s 800-meters.

-30-

For more information contact:

Gerry Swan, Valley Royals TFC

Ph: 604-859-9801

E: gswan@uniserve.com

BC Athletics Annual General Meeting – Review & Planning Survey

As part of the BC Athletics Annual General Meeting review and planning process, we would like to you invite you to take part in this survey so we can provide for you and AGM Delegates the information, reports, plans, professional development and social opportunities that will be the most effective and informative for you as part of the BC Athletics Annual General Meeting weekend.

This notice has also been distributed to 2011 BC Athletics members via email. Thank you for taking the time to submit your input. 

CLICK HERE to be re-directed to the survey. 

Responses will be accepted until Friday, February 10, 2012. 

Cobble Hill 10k Cancelled on Sunday January 22

The Cobble Hill 10K that was due to take place on Sunday, January 22 at 11 am has been cancelled due to weather and road conditions.

The announcement was made Friday after CEEVACS, the running club who organize the event, reviewed the race course. In a statement, CEEVACS said: “While the forecast is for warming and some rain, on viewing the roads just now we do not feel that the accumulations on the edges of the roads will allow for safe conditions for runners in an event this size. We also felt that making this decision would have to be in a time frame that would allow the best opportunity to get this message out to as many participants as possible, to allow travel plans to be altered/cancelled, especially for those coming from some distance.”

The Vancouver Island Runners’ Association (VIRA) will look at re-scheduling the race and contact participants when more information is available. For updates check the VIRA website – www.vira.bc.ca or email cobblehill@vira.bc.ca.

Dylan Wykes wins big in Phoenix

From Dylan’s blog

I lined up on Sunday in Tempe for my first race in a long time. I was excited to go out and see where my fitness was at after 8 solid weeks of training from mid November til now.

It was a lonely, but solid effort as I ended up winning the race in 1:02:39, with second place almost 6 minutes behind. Going into the event I wasn’t aware of who my competition might be on race day. It turns out it was a race against the clock. I set out at a pace that I felt was aggressive, yet reasonable. I went through the first mile in 4:49. I never looked back but didn’t hear any foot steps behind me so figured I’d just put the head down and try to keep an eye on my mile splits. I was able to maintain between 4:45-4:50 for the first 10 miles. The pace wasn’t super comfortable. I definitely had to stay focused and keep pushing. But, I was able to keep things going. From ~5-9.5 miles the course gained about ~130ft in elevation. I definitely felt that gradual incline. But, it was accompanied by a nice downhill section from 9.5-12 miles. I split a couple 4:38-4:40 miles during that section and tried to run really hard the last mile as I knew I was on for a good time. Turns out I only managed a 4:55 from 12-13miles. Despite that little blip I was happy with the result.

 

Stilwell training Down Under

By James Clarke, Parksville Qualicum News

She’s a long way from home — around 8,000 miles as the crow flies by our calculation — but Nanoose Bay’s Michelle ‘Mikey’ Stilwell is back in the news here in B.C. as she’s been nominated for another Sport BC Athlete of the Year award.

That nomination prompted The News to check in with Mikey, who is currently down under training with the Canadian national team in Australia.

“We are here for the warm weather training in prep for London as well as the Summer Down Under Series which begins Jan. 19 and runs through until Jan. 26.”

A showcase and litmus test for wheelchair athletes from the world over, the series features three nights of track and finishes on the 26th (Australia Day) with a 10km race through the historic Rocks in downtown Sydney.

Read more: http://www.pqbnews.com/sports/137453003.html

 

Rodhe goes big, Levins goes quick

From Kamloops This Week

Justin Rodhe, who trains at the National Throws Centre in Kamloops, threw 20.70 metres in shot put at the Lumberjack invitational Meet in Arizona on Saturday, Jan. 14.

The throw might have landed him a spot at the IAAF World Indoor Championships, which run from March 9 to March 12 in Istanbul, Turkey.

If another Canadian athlete does not throw further before the qualification period ends on Feb. 26, Rodhe will be eligible for selection.

At the same meet, Canadian Cross Country champion Cameron Levins, competing for Southern Utah University, finished second in the 800m in 1:52.18.

 

 

Jared Heldman places second in Pentathlon

Report from the Valley Royals

Jared Heldman competed in his first meet for Albany University by placing second in the pentathlon event held at the West Point Academy indoor complex in New York on Jan 7. Heldman scored 4,783 points to finish behind teammate Alfonso Scannapieco’s winning score of 4956 pts. Heldman’s performances were as follows: 60m—7.06; lj—6.48m; sp—12.25m; hj—1.82m; 60mhur—8.88; pv—4.15m; 1,000m—3:14.20

One week later, at the Pen State Invitational, Heldman competed in two individual events placing 5th in both the 60m (6.96) and long jump (6.97m).

University of Washington Indoor Preview Meet

The Indoor season kicked off for many athletes at the University of Washington Indoor Preview Meet.

UBC Thunderbirds report here: http://www.gothunderbirds.ca/news/2012/1/17/TRACK_0117125330.aspx

SFU Clan report here: http://athletics.sfu.ca/newsathletics/track-and-field/six-members-of-the-clan-qualify-for-gnac-championships-in-season.html

TWU Spartans report here: http://www.twu.ca/athletics/cc-track/schedule-and-scores/2011-12/2012-01-14.html

Valley Royals report here: http://www.valleyroyals.org/

Complete results: http://www.gohuskies.com/livestats/c-track/011412/index.htm

Barbara Howard to be inducted in the BC Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2012

Pioneer Category

BARBARA HOWARD – Track and Field

During the late 1930s, Vancouver’s Barbara Howard was one of the fastest female sprinters in the British Empire and looked poised to make her mark on the larger Olympic stage.  If not for the outbreak of World War II, she may well have.  In 1938, at the age of seventeen, Howard ran the 100-yards in a scorching time of 11.2 seconds at the Western Canada British Empire Games trials, bettering the British Empire Games record of the time by one-tenth of a second.  The result earned Howard selection to represent Canada at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, Australia.  After the month-long trip by boat, Howard, who had never left Vancouver before, became a minor celebrity Down Under, black athletes being a rarity at the time in Australia.  In fact, Howard is believed to be the first black woman athlete to represent Canada in international competition.  In Sydney, Howard finished sixth in the 100-yard dash and helped two Canadian relay teams to silver and bronze medals.  Determined to run at the 1940 Olympics in Tokyo, war intervened and the Games were cancelled.  Her sprinting career was over by the time the Olympics resumed a decade later.  Howard later became a Vancouver school teacher and today at the age of 91 remains active in the Burnaby community.

Related stories:

Valerie Jerome reaches out to Barbara Howard:

http://www.harryjerome.com/2010/07/03/valerie-jerome-reaches-out-to-barbara-howard/

Full BC Sports Hall of Fame Media Release:

http://www.teamradio.ca/news/olympian-among-the-class-inducted-into-bc-sports-hall-of-fame/

Twelve 2012 National Track League series events confirmed

January 17, 2012

The National Track League (NTL) announced today that 12 events will score across the series in this summer’s edition of the international track and field grand prix series taking place in six Canadian cities.  Last season ten events were recognized series wide with NTL champions crowned in each.  NTL scoring events are offered on a minimum of three occasions in the series providing athletes with opportunities to earn points in the hopes of securing NTL championship trophies and cash prizes.  Events not recognized with NTL status may still be offered on a meet by meet basis at the discretion of each competitions’ organizing committee.

Read the remainder of the article here http://www.nationaltrackleague.ca/news.php?id=50

BC Track & Field Pictures and Film Clips

In Search of BC Track & Field Pictures and Film Clips      

BC Athletics is looking for Photos and Film Clips from Indoor Track & Field Meets held at the Jericho Hangar in the 1970’s that you would be willing to share and/or allow to be copied.

If you have any please contact Brian McCalder at: brian.mccalder(at)bcathletics.org or by phone at: 604-333-3552.

Thank you

Learning to Run, Jump and Throw in Hope – Agassiz Observer Feature

January 12, 2012 - By Jessica Peters – Agassiz Observer

Running, jumping, throwing.

These are just a few of the life skills that children can carry with them through to adulthood. But they’re also skills that not everyone has a chance to acquire growing up, says Eric Sinker.

He’s setting out to change that, teaching physical literacy to anyone who works with young children.

Hope is a pilot program, which will begin with a Community Introduction to Physical Literacy on Saturday, February 18 at the Hope Recreation Complex. That introduction will explain two upcoming workshops, Kids CanMove (March 10) and Run Jump Throw (March 17).

The Community Introduction to Physical Literacy is a two-hour, free session with Sinker, at 10:30 a.m. on February 18. This is open for everyone in the community who works with children, or has young children.

The physical literacy workshops in March are designed for recreation staff, coaches, ECE workers, teachers, child and youth workers and anyone else who works with children. They are all day workshops, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hope Recreation Complex.

The program is supported by BC Athletics, the BC Sport Agency, the Provincial Government, Pacific Sport, Gymnastics BC and the Hope and District Recreation and Cultural Services.

RunJumpThrow is led by a Certified RJT Learning Facilitator and will provide participants with a thorough look at the skills of running, jumping and throwing as a basis for all land based sports. Technical progressions of each skills are identified and demonstrated to all participants in an active learning environment. Other modules include General Athletic Development, Why RJT, and Practical Application of learning’s and RJT games.

Read the full feature here: http://www.agassizharrisonobserver.com/sports/137198288.html 

Para Throws Workshop for Officials

BC WheelChair Sports and BC Athletics invite officials to participate in an informal technical workshop presented by Ken Hall, Canadian National Para Throws Coach.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

12-3 p.m.

Richmond Oval

6111 River Road, Richmond

The focus of this workshop is on tie-down throwing events. The instructor will provide practical experience for officials, working with athletes in a demonstration event, using a throwing chair.

Canadian Throws Judges must be familiar with rules and practices in this area in order to upgrade their certification. We will provide opportunities for experience in para throws at events in 2012, including:

Elwood Wylie Meet              Nanaimo       May 26-27

Langley Pacifics Meet         Langley          June 15-17

BC Jamboree                       Coquitlam     July 13-15

Register for this free workshop by telephone or e-mail.

Sanda Turner

(604) 525-2375

sanda_turner@yahoo.ca

Local Sport Development Funding – Application Deadline February 6, 2012

Local Sport Development funding available to start or expand community sport opportunities

Applications are now being accepted to help local sport, municipalities, Aboriginal and community organizations increase sport opportunities for British Columbians of all ages and abilities.

The Local Sport Program Development Fund provides grants of up to $2,000 for sport programs that aim to increase access to British Columbians. This could include opportunities such as clubs establishing a youth division; a new sport program that requires specialized equipment or coach training; or a club that wants to introduce their sport to local schools.

The deadline for applications is 4:30 pm PST on February 6, 2012.

For further details, please see the program guidelines and application form online at: www.2010legaciesnow.com/local_sport_development_fund/

Originally developed by 2010 Legacies Now, the Local Sport Development Fund is supported by the Province of British Columbia through the BC Sport Agency. To learn more about how the BC Sport Agency is taking bold action to deliver on the vision of an active, healthy British Columbia where sport inspires a field of possibilities for all visit www.BCSportAgency.com

Level 2 Officials Workshop – Kamloops – February 12 2012

HOSTED /SUPPORTED BY: BC Athletics Branch Officials Committee & Kamloops Track & Field Club

LOCATION:   Tournament Capital Centre – 910 McGill Rd., Kamloops, BC

DATE/TIME:   Sunday, February 12, 2012 – 10:00am – 3:00pm

INSTRUCTORS:  Cliff Weathermon – Level 5 Technical Official,  Bob Cowden – Level 4 Technical Official

 This workshop is required for advancement to Level 2 in the National Officials Certification program.  Registration fee covers instructor costs, honorarium handouts and a 2012/2013 IAAF Rule Book.  Rules and best practices are covered in a lecture/discussion format.  There will be one 30 minute break.  Beverages and a light lunch will be provided.  Participants should being a notebook and pen.

Workshop contact information: alvan50@shaw.ca  (250) 372-9640

 FEES:

 BC Athletics 2012 Members  $28.00 (25.00 + HST)

 Non -Members – $33.60 (30.00 + HST)

Sport BC Athlete of Year Finalists Announced

Richmond, BC (January 10, 2012) – Sport BC announced today the outstanding amateur athletes, coaches and officials named as finalists for 14 of the 17 award categories to be presented at the upcoming Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards, presented by TELUS.

The awards ceremony and gala dinner, set for March 8, 2012 at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond BC, recognizes BC’s best amateur athletes, coaches, and officials for outstanding performances in their sport over the 2011 season. Each finalist was nominated by their Provincial Sport Organization, high school or university, and voted for by a selection committee of BC sportswriters, broadcasters, athletes and amateur sport experts.

“We received a number of very strong nominations this year from our Provincial Sport Organizations,” said Sport BC’s Event Manager, Carey Summerfelt. “Sport BC’s Athlete of the Year Awards provides a great opportunity to give these talented athletes, coaches and officials the recognition they deserve.”

Other awards presented at the ceremony include Best of BC, a people’s choice award presented to an outstanding professional or amateur BC athlete. Submit your vote starting January 23 for the Best of BC award winner and reserve tickets for the dinner and award ceremony at SportBC.com.

Athletics Finalists are:

Anatoliy Bondarchuk  – Coach of the Year

Peter Lawless – Coach of the Year

Georgia Ellenwood – High School Female

Adam Keenan – High School Male

Christa Bortignon – Master Athlete

Dylan Armstrong – Senior Male

Braedon Dolfo – Athlete with a Disability

Michelle Stillwell – Athlete with a Disability

Helen Crofts – University Athlete of the Year

Congratulations!!!

See the full list of finalists at:

www.sportbc.com/news/sport-bc-news/2012/01/10/46th-athlete-of-the-year-finalists

BC Athletics’ Officials’ Newsletter – January 9, 2012

UPCOMING Competitions needing your assistance:

Event: Jerome Outreach Elementary School Team Indoor Relays & 2012 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Indoor Classic (Hosted by Achilles Track and Field Club)
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2012
Location: Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond - 6111 River Road, Richmond
Parking: Parking is available at the Oval at a cost of $1 per hour
Free Parking is available at the WorksafeBC lot (off Elmbridge Way)

Times:
Track
First event – 10:00am (Elementary Schools Relays)
11:30am (Van. Sun/H.J. Indoor)
Last event – 4:20pm
Field
High Jump – 11:30 (first event)
Shot Put – 12:00 (first event)
Lunch will be provided.
Officials who have committed to participate: Bill Koch, Peter Fefjar, Shirley Young, Jason Swan, John Cull, Carol Cull, Keith Hooey, Brian Thomson.

Event: 2012 Province Gran Forza High School Indoor Relays (Hosted by Achilles Track and Field Club)
Date: Saturday, March 10, 2012
Location: Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond - 6111 River Road, Richmond
Parking: Parking is available at the Oval at a cost of $1 per hour
Free Parking is available at the WorksafeBC lot (off Elmbridge Way)

Times:
Track
First event – 1:00pm
Last event – 5:00pm
Field
Standing Long Jump – 1:00pm (first event)
Shot Put – 1:00pm (first event)
Lunch will be provided.
Officials who have committed to participate: Jason Swan, Shirley Young, Peter Fejfar, John Cull, Carol Cull

If you are available to help at either or both of these Meets, please contact Carol (carolcull@telus.net) Those Officials who reside outside the Lower Mainland and would like a day trip experience at an Indoor Meet are most welcome to
come.

Workshops and Clinics

Level II Officials’ Workshops

Location: Nanaimo & District Track & Field Clubhouse - Rotary Bowl – 355 Wakesiah Ave., Nanaimo
Date: March 4, 2012
Time: 9:30am to 3:00pm
Instructors: John and Carol Cull
Registration Form: http://www.bcathletics.org/main/pdf/ws_off_lev2_mar4.pdf

Location: Langley Legion, Branch 21, Langley - 20570 56th Avenue
Date: TBD (we are looking to book a March or April date)
Time: 9:30am to 3:00pm
Instructors: John and Carol Cull
If you would be interested in participating in this workshop please contact Carol or John Cull (johncull@telus.net)

National Starters’ Technical Workshop

Location: Langley (to be held in conjunction with the Langley Pacific Invitational Meet) McLeod Athletic Park Stadium - 58th Avenue & 214th Street
Date: June 15, 2012
Time: 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Instructor: Dale Loewen
This workshop is required for advancement to Level 4 in the National Officials Certification Program.
Participants will be given practical experience and coaching on Start teams during the Langley Pacific Meet, June 15-17.
Registration Form: http://www.bcathletics.org/main/pdf/ws_off_starters_jun15.pdf

Technical Rules Update – Racewalk

There have been some inquiries about the wording in the IAAF Rule Book concerning Race Walk paddles and whether there is still a need for a symbol on the paddles. The new wording in the book unfortunately left out a phrase however please be assured that the paddles do need a symbol. Previously (prior to 2007-­‐2008) the rule

Indicated essentially that the paddle (which was WHITE) must have the “>” symbol on one side of the paddle signifying “bent knee” and the “~” symbol on the other side of the paddle signifying “loss of contact” or sometimes called “lifting”. Then in 2009 the rule indicated that two paddle were needed with one paddle indicating > on both sides and the ~ was the symbol on the other yellow paddle. The significance of the new rule, based on an interpretation by Jorge Salcedo (IAAF Chairman of the Technical Committee) is that for 2012-­‐2013 RW Judges need not carry two paddles, they can carry just one paddle with a separate symbol on each side if they wish. There is nothing to indicate that a RW Judge can’t carry two paddles as in 2010-­‐2011. If there are any questions, please contact David Weicker at dweicker@athletics.ca

 2012-2013 Competition Rule Book

Yellow Paddle

4. When a judge is not completely satisfied that an athlete is fully complying with Rule 230.1, he should, where possible, vshow the athlete a yellow paddle indicating the offence. An athlete cannot be shown a second yellow paddle by the same Judge for the same offence. Having shown a yellow paddle to an athlete, the Judge shall inform the Chief Judge of his action after the competition.

Old wording:

Caution

Athletes shall be cautioned when, by their mode of progression, they are in danger of failing to comply with rule 230.1 by showing the athletes a yellow paddle with the symbol of the offence on each side…

2012/2013 IAAF Rule Books

The new rule books have been ordered and we expect them to arrive soon. These will be distributed to all member Officials (Levels 2 and up). Please ensure that you have registered with BC Athletics and paid your membership fees for 2012.
Donʼt forget that you can find a summary of some of the new rule changes in the Officials Section of the BC Athletics Webpage (see the posted NOC NOC issue).

Travel / Mentoring / Upgrading

If you wish to Upgrade your current certification please complete the Upgrading Survey Form which can be found in the Officialsʼ Section of the BC Athletics Website (bcathletics.org). You can also contact Kathy Terlicher (kdterlicher@shaw.ca) for more information about the process involved. Kathy, Bill Koch and Carol Cull will be meeting on January 16th to revise our list of those Officials wishing to be upgraded. You are strongly encouraged to send in your requests prior to this date so that a Mentor can be assigned and Mentoring and Evaluation opportunities can be arranged for you.

To Date, Out-of-Province Travel, Evaluations and Meet experiences have been arranged for
the following Officials in 2012:

Brian Beck – Saskatoon, Knights of Columbus Meet
Bill Koch – Winnipeg, CIS Indoors
Bob Cowden – Saskatoon, Canada West Meet
Wally Smeaton – Edmonton, Golden Bear Meet
Michele Peacock – Edmonton, Golden Bear Meet
Iain Fisher – Edmonton, Golden Bear Meet

We hope to arrange additional Travel opportunities both within and out of the province for other Officials as the season progresses and requests are made.

If you have questions or concerns regarding any of the information contained in this Newsletter (or about Officiating in general) or just want to say hello, please drop me a note. If I donʼt have the answer for you I know I can find someone who will. Looking forward to hearing from you and another great year in Athletics,

Carol

2012 Winter Wheelchair Athletics Clinic: Invitation to throws coaches in British Columbia

Courtesy of BC Wheelchair Sports Association – Jan 6, 2012

BC Wheelchair Sports Association (BCWSA) is hosting the Winter Wheelchair Athletics Clinic from January 21 to January 22, 2012, and is excited to announce National Para Throws Coach, Ken Hall, will be conducting the throws portion of the two-day clinic. BCWSA is inviting current throws coaches who are interested in learning about para throwing (focus on tie-down throwing), the opportunity to attend the clinic and gain valuable experience working with current para throwers in the province under the instruction of Ken Hall.

BCWSA with support from BC Athletics have undertaken the development of tie-down throwing in order to develop athletes leading up to the 2013 Canada Summer Games. Each province has been allocated two spots (one female, one male) for para throwers to compete in the shot put and discus events at the 2013 Games. In 2011, tie-down throws events were introduced at three track and field meets in British Columbia (Elwood Memorial, Nanaimo; Pacific Invitational, Langley; and BC Jamboree Championships, Coquitlam). Fifteen athletes from across the province were introduced to the sport last year, with seven athletes competing at the three track and field meets. The objective of this clinic is to educate current throws coaches in the province on para throwing in order to increase the knowledge of this sport to support the development of para throwers leading up to the 2012 National Track and Field Championships and the 2013 Canada Summer Games.

Guest Para Throws Coach, Ken Hall:

• Canadian National Para Throws Coach, provincial coach for Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association and Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association.
• Head throws coach at the IPC Para Pan American Games, Mar Del Plata, Argentina
• Head throws coach, IPC World Championships, Christchurch, New Zealand
• Currently coaches Kyle Pettey (F34 shot put), ranked #3 in the world, two time world record holder, 2010 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist, 3 time Paralympian, and Rene Foessel (F38 shot put, discus, javelin) ranked #1 to #3 in the world. 

WHEN/WHERE:

• Saturday January 21, 2012 (9am – 4pm) – GF Strong Rehab Centre Gym, Vancouver
• Sunday January 22, 2012 (9am-3pm) – Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond

FOR:

Coaches in British Columbia who would like to learn about para throws under the instruction of National para throws coach, Ken Hall, and have the opportunity to work with current para throwers in the province. You will gain valuable knowledge on para throwing and gain experience working with athletes with a physical disability.

OUT OF TOWN COACHES:

• BCWSA will provide travel subsidies for out of town coaches attending the clinic.
• Host Hotel: Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel (7551 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC V6X 1A3).
• Room Rate: $119 + tax www.sheraton.com/vancouverairport

TO REGISTER:

Contact Holly Tawse – BCWSA Program Coordinator (holly@bcwheelchairsports.com or 604.333.3526)

Harriers Pioneer 8K Results

The first race in the Frontrunners Island Race Series – the Harriers Pioneer 8K – took place yesterday, Sunday, January 8 in perfect race conditions. The race started and finished at Saanich Fairgrounds, and was hosted by the Prairie Inn Harriers. It was also the first race in the Timex BC Road Running Series.

It was a one-two-three finish for Prairie Inn Harriers athletes with Steve Osaduik winning in 24:46. Jim Finlayson came second in 25:03 and Dylan Gant third in 25:10. Lucy Smith dominated the women’s field finishing in 28:30, also making her the top Women’s Master. Marilyn Arsenault proved she was back on the competitive scene, coming second in 28:59. Third was Care Wakely in 29:25.

“It was a perfect start to the Island Series today,” said Cathy Noel, President of the Vancouver Island Runners’ Association (VIRA). “We had over 600 pre-register for the race and we had 629 finishers. We also have 315 pre-registered for all eight races in the series, which shows we will have some great competition and challenges fromIslandrunners.”

The Frontrunners Green Jersey for the fastest male sprinter over the last 100-metres was won by Chris Callendar in the under 40 category (12.72) and Ian Hallam in the over 40 category (16.36). Sarah Daitch won the female under 40 in 17.05 and Susie Hallam the over 40 in 18.68.

The Prairie Inn Harriers, Victoria lead the club standings with 897 points, followed by Comox Valley Road Runners with 282 and Frontrunners Athletic Club with 252. Full results are on http://pih.bc.ca/results/Series.php?race=186.

Eight races make up the Frontrunners Island Race Series. All races are sanctioned by BC Athletics. Registration is now online at www.vira.bc.ca

Road Running Series Kicks Off this Sunday

The 2012 Timex BC Road Running Series (http://www.bcathletics.org/RRSeries/) gets underway this Sunday at the Harriers Pioneer 8K in Saanich. The race is also the first event in the Frontrunners Island Race Series (http://www.vira.bc.ca/), the first of the regional race series to get underway.

The Lower Mainland Road Race Series (http://www.lmrrs.com/) starts up later this month, with the Icebreaker 8K in Steveston on January 29, which is also the second event in the Timex BC Road Running Series.

Racing in the Canadian Tire Interior Running Series (http://www.interiorrunning.ca/) kicks off on February 12 with the Starting Block 10K in Lavington (Vernon).

The Prince George Grand Prix Series (http://www.pgroadrunners.ca/) will be the final regional road running series to out of the blocks. Racing in the North starts on March 25 with the Heights Fiver.