The Q’s Victoria Track Series first meet of 2011 proved to be very exciting with a Canadian Record (pending certification by BC Athletics), sprint finishes and a windless, dry evening at the University of Victoria’s Centennial Stadium.

Canadian Record: In the 4 x 800m relay, the men’s 50-59 age-group record previously was 9:39, it is now 9:24.74, thanks to the fast feet of Kevin Searle of Shawnigan Lake, Peter Holmes, Garth Campbell and Mark Pinkard of Victoria, BC. Kevin Searle lead the relay off with a 2:18, Campbell in 2:32, Holmes 2:24 and Pinkard in 2:10 in front of a very boisterous crowd who cheered them onto the record from beginning to end.

Other races included the comeback of one of Canada’s best 800m/mile racers, Trevor O’Brien, who is back after 4 years of dealing with injury. O’Brien ran the elite men’s 1500m, breasting the tape in 3:57.15, second place went to UVic Vike, Dylan Haight with his 3:59.09 and rounding out the top three was Vike, Scott Secco in 4:14.92.

In the Elite women’s 800m race UVic Vike Maureen McCulligh held off a close finish from 3 other Vikes and Jeanette Van den bulk, who has been one of Canada’s top 400m runners until recently where she moved up to the 800m distance. Van den bulk was second 2:16.59 and UVic Vike, Alicia Roske took third in 2:16.70.

The men’s 800m elite race kicked off the meet with a very close sprint finish between UVic Vikes Josh Clouthier (1:56.30) Rowan Forseth 1:56.50, two tenths of a second back and third Ryan McKenzie, previously a University of Windsor Lancer. McKenzie is on the comeback trail and owns an impressive 5000m personal best of 13:35.

The Open Mixed 800m race was won by Prairie Inn Harrier, Chris Callendar in a personal best time of 2:13.96 over Brett McCullough and Andrew Wilkinson. Female winner of the Open race was Elizabeth Venebles in 2:36.60, followed by Marcia Stromsmoe and Martha McNeely.

In the Open Mixed 1500m race, 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games competitor Gordon Christie took first in 4:49.38 followed by Prairie Inn Harriers, Jim Barwise and Michael Arensen. The women’s winners were, Juliette Christie, Farisha Arensen and Chloe Hegland who finished 5:10.68, 5:10.71 and 5:10.78 respectively.

Full results are available at the track series website: www.victoriatrackseries.ca/results/
The second of the eight meet series happens again at the University of Victoria, Saturday, May 28th with the gun sounding at 6:30 PM. Athletes must sign in or be registered no later than 6:00 PM.
Proceeds go to the Mustard Seed Food Bank.