The 25th annual Squamish Days 10K, held in conjunction with the Squamish Days Logger Sports Festival, was also the penultimate race in the 2011 Lower Mainland Road Race Series.
Marilyn Arsenault was a surprise last-minute entry, as it marked her return to competition after a 10 month absense following a serious illness. Vacationing in the area, the Victoria resident showed she is not far off her former fitness, beating Vancouver’s Gillian Gook comfortably, winning in 36:06 to Gook’s 36:47. Now turned 40, Arsenault was also top master. Another athlete not seen locally for some time finished third. Carmen Ballard, NCAA All-American and former National Junior 1500m Champion, clocked 39:02.
Even further travelled was the winner of the men’s race. Joshua Ricardi from Seattle showed the locals a clean pair of heels, winning unpressed in 32:41. Victoria’s Ian Hallam finished second in 33:28, with Vancouver’s Ynuk Bosse completing the podium in 33:56. The top master was Paul Skarsgard in 35:56.
The super-vets were again in evidence. 71 year old Herb Phillips finished 33rd overall in 40:17. 81 year old Frank Kurucz clocked 52:52. And another 81 year old, Lenore Montgomery recorded 58:31.
Besting all the runners were the top wheelchair athletes. Kelly Smith flashed through the finish in 23:37, with new wheeler Tristan Smyth second in 27:16.
Complete results here: http://www.raceheadquarters.com/results/rhqResultsRun.php?nYear=2011#jul
The final race in the Lower Mainland Road Race Series is the Richmond Oval 10K on Sunday, August 14.
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