A Recap

Weather is one of the most talked about subjects in this city, wind, rain, heat and wind again. Saturday June 26th was another windy night at the Jack Wallace Memorial Track at Oak Bay High School. Despite the coolness, there was a decent-sized crowd gathered on the infield as well many people on or around the bleachers, add to that athletes and volunteers and we have atmosphere.

A lesson to runners about focus:

Focusing on pace and effort will perhaps allow you to run a personal best, which often is one of the primary goals of racing. However, when you are riding the edge of going too fast – straddling that fine line, you may just mis-count how many laps you have completed, say during a 5000m, 12.5-lap event. This happened to Melissa Ross, who was bound for a giant personal best, but stopped at 4600m, only to be frantically told by her coach to finish the last lap – SHOCK! With Melissa was Jessica Sedlock. Needless to say, they both finished well and at least Melissa I know, ran a personal best despite the premature finish-start-up again-debacle. Jessica may have also run a personal best; results are here.

The Races:

A group of faster runners, decided not to risk coming over (from the lower mainland – Vancouver) to race, as their team are experiencing some injuries or threat of injury and backed out on the trip over, which killed one elite section – the 5000m men’s race. This and lack of participation from elite women at that distance caused the three 5000m races to be combined into one good-sized event. So runners of all abilities ran in the same race. I am sure the non-elite runners got a thrill everytime a 15-something minute runner flew by, perhaps in their wake, a swirling of tartan dust….

There were some notable performances throughout the night, for instance Ian Hallam ran 5000m in 15:29 for the win; he had a very solid race. Lemlem Ogbasilassie nearly ran a personal best with her 2:04 800m performance in a mixed elite race. Maurice Tarrant succeeded in accomplishing yet another Canadian age-group record, this time in the 1500m distance and Frontrunner’s Westshore store owner and former University of Victoria Vike, Nick Walker ran all three races – in a blaze of character I will add – I mean nobody does that! Also, Kenyan, Willy Langat ran a solid 1500m race winning over UVic’s Matt Pietersen, Jerry Ziak and Nick Walker with a finish line sprint effort that showed the whites of his eyes from over 100m away. His eyes were the size of garbage can lids.

Fun event.

I had good help, from the Chris Loran who is with our title sponsor, 100.3 the Q!, David Jackson for his MC work and tear down help, The Mustard Seed Food Bank girls for their registration help.

Now I await photos from Hicham El Amari.

Did I even do anything? Oh yeah!! Video – now I edit.

Now come on out and race, cheer or volunteer – it’s a lot of fun. I am sure the weather will be better for the second half of the season and perhaps you will win a pound of freshly grinded Level Ground brand coffee – we gave away 6 last time! Or an adidas running watch from Island Runner Footwear or perhaps some swag from Saucony of Canada, all of whom have generously donated to this series of events.

Until the next event.

Christopher Kelsall,

Series Guy.