KRC Members in the News

Clerke wins provincial cross country running championship

Kelowna Secondary’s Coonor Clerke strides to the finish line to win the B.C. high school cross country championship Saturday in Surrey.

Shawn Clerke/Contributor

 

 

Published: November 12, 2009 6:00 PM 
Updated: November 13, 2009 12:45 AM
 

 

In his senior year, Connor Clerke has been golden.

The Grade 12 student from Kelowna Secondary School captured the B.C. high school cross country championship on Saturday at Crescent Park in Surrey.

In a field of 249 competitors, Clerke won the 6.4 km run in convincing fashion in a time of 21 minutes 41 seconds.

Justin Kent, of Kwantlen Park, (22:01) was second, while Will Cliff, of St. Georges, (22:20) took third spot.

“It was an amazing feeling to win provincials in my final year of high school,” said Clerke, who also won the gold at the Okanagan Valley championship late last month in Penticton.

“It was a really tough and muddy race. It had rained the night before and the girls race before ours chewed up the course pretty bad.

“There were some sections that felt like quicksand,” Clerke added.

“I stayed in second most of the race, behind Kent, and then with about 400 metres to go, I had caught up to him and took off to the finish line without looking back.”

Mt. Boucherie’s Gord Minaker tied for 10th spot in the boys race in a time of 23:01.

In the girls’ race, Kelowna’s Sasha Schoch placed 12th overall in the 4.4 km event in 18:04.

Alex Siemens, of W.J. Mouat, was the winner in 17:07.

Victoria Frost of Kelowna finished with a time of 19:46.

Both Clerke and Schoch will be in Guelph, Ont., Nov. 28 to compete for Team B.C. at the national juvenile cross country championships.

KELOWNA CAPITAL NEWS

Kelowna mom reaches the 100K mark in road race

Kelowna’s Melanie Bos was third among all women during the Haney to Harrison Hot Springs 100 Kilometre Ultra Run last weekend.

Dirk Handke/Contributor

 

Clerke repeats at valleys

Kelowna’s Connor Clerke won the Okanagan Valley schools cross country title this week in Penticton.

Tom Carlson/Contributo
Published: October 30, 2009 11:00 PM

 

Cool conditions and a little of the white stuff wasn’t enough to stop Connor Clerke from defending his Okanagan Valley schools cross country running title.

The Grade 12 student at Kelowna Secondary captured the 6.1 km race on Tuesday in Penticton in a time of 20 minutes 57 seconds.

The runners were greeted at the start with zero degree temperatures and four to five centimetres of new snow.

Westsyde (Kamloops) Secondary’s Evan Hall was the runner-up at valleys, nearly a full minute behind Clerke in 21:56.

Mt. Boucherie’s Gordon Minaker took third in the boys’ division in 22:43.

In the girls’ race (4.2 km), Vernon’s Sarah Bailey took top spot in 16:38.

Kelowna Secondary’s Sasha Schoch was fourth in 16:58, while Boucherie’s Michelle Blackburne placed eighth in 17:19.

Blackburne, a Grade 10 student, finished third in the junior division, while Mirena Dimova, of Rutland Secondary, was ninth (18th overall) in 18:27.

In the junior boys’ division, Immaculata’s Mack Sali took fifth spot (22nd overall) in 25:02.

The B.C. School Sports provincial cross country championship will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, at Crescent Park in Surrey.
 

Top finishers in BMO Marathon

Kelowna runner Victoria Frost crosses the finish line during the Okanagan marathon on Sunday in first place in the women’s 10 kilometre run.

Published: October 13, 2009 6:00 PM

The 15th BMO Okanagan Marathon & Family Festival was a huge success with brilliant weather and a big increase in participants.

After a brisk 7 a.m. start Sunday, the weather warmed to near perfect conditions—setting the stage for 3,500 participants to have a go at a “new, old course.”

Calgary’s Brent Pickerl was the overall winner taking the male category in a time of 2:51:54. He was followed by Steve Russell of Vernon at 2:54:08 and Colin Miller of Vancouver at 2:56:19.

In the women’s event, Kellie Young from Fort Saskatchewan came in first at 3:07:52, followed by Paige Howat of Prince George at 3:11:50 and Deb Russell of Calgary at 3:12:10.

The 21.1 km men’s run saw Jeff Symonds of Penticton finish first at 1:10:17, followed by Matthew Cobb of Abbotsford at 1:16:20 and Curtis Sampson of Calgary at 1:17:34.

In the women’s half marathon, Christy Lovig of Kelowna finished first at 1:22:11, followed by Heather Sherwin of Sydney at 1:22:16 and Heather Johnson of Fruitvale, B.C. at 1:25:09.

One of the most exciting results of the day was Gwen McFarlan of Richmond breaking the world record in the women’s 75-79 category in the 21.1K run at 1:50:00.

The 10K men’s run, one of Canada’s best distance runners, Graham Hood, finished in 34:08, followed by Andrew Savage in 35:17, and Glenn Leer in 35:52—all from Kelowna.

In the ladies’ 10K, Victoria Frost of Kelowna finished at 43:38, followed by Glynis Sim of Salmon Arm at 44:18 and Susan Gordon of Port Moody at 45:05.

In the inaugural solo school challenge, James and Jon Sader cruised through the 10 K course in 41:01 to place first. Kelty Slaney and Jasprit Digpal took second, and Heather Halperin and Dominique Frost took third.

Saturday welcomed the Running Room Friendship, 5K, and BMO Kids for Kids—that brought out over 150 future marathoners.

The BMO Employee Charitable Foundation presented the Sunshine Foundation Dreams for Kids with $10,000. Additional monies were raised through pledges and donations. For complete results go to: www.okanaganmarathon.com and www.raceheadquarters.com.

Jordan snatches win from Symonds

Vernon’s Trevor Jordan won the annual Peak to Beak race Sunday in Kelowna in a time of one hour, two minutes and 59 seconds.

Randy Werger/Contributor

 

Published: September 22, 2009 6:00 PM

 

The 2009 Interior Road Race season ended on a high note for Vernon’s Trevor Jordan.

Not so for Penticton’s Jeff Symonds.

Leading the Peak to Beak race Sunday by an estimated 80 seconds, Symonds missed the turn on the home stretch with about 600 metres to go, allowing Jordan to run to victory in a time of one hour two minutes 59 seconds.

Symonds didn’t realize his mistake until it was far too late as he finished the 18 km race from Knox Mountain to Quail’s Gate Winery in 10th spot in 1:12:49.

Jordan momentarily made the same miscue and missed the turn, but quickly recovered to win the race by six seconds over Vernon’s Cameron Egan.

Vernon’s Nathan Champness was third in 1:03:52.

Kelowna’s Cindy Rhodes was the first woman to finish taking 11th overall in 1:12:56.

Trevor Haaheim was the first of 58 Kelowna runners to cross the finish line in fifth place in a time of 106:13. Gary Wade of Kelowna placed eighth overall in a time of 1:10:52. 

In addition to Haaheim and Rhodes, other age group winners from Kelowna were:

Ken Fell (men’s 45 to 49), Mel Bos (women’s 35 to 39), Chris Charbonneau (men’s 55 to 59), Leanne Armstrong (women’s 40 to 44), Pamela Glendinning (women’s 45 to 49), Garry Bell (men’s 65 to 69)), Jackie Mears (women’s 65 to 69), and Peter O’Brien (men’s 70 to 74).

On another note, the Kelowna Running Club’s Rudy Swab competed in the Peak to Beak for the 26th consecutive year  Rudy placed second in the men’s 65-69 category in a time of 1:49:17. In all 126 runners finished the event.

In the overall age graded Canadian Tire IRA season series, Kelowna’s Rory Switzer and Cindy Rhodes won the men’s and women’s titles, respectively.

Lear sets pace in 10k road race

Kelowna’s Glenn Lear took second place at the Bike Barn 10 k road race on Sunday in Penticton.

Pat Gable/Contributor

 

Published: September 17, 2009 6:00 PM

 

Glenn Lear set the pace for Kelowna runners with a second-place showing at the Bike Barn 10 K road race.

Lear finished Sunday’s Interior Running Association event in Penticton in 36 minutes 26 seconds, nearly 90 seconds back of winner Nathan Champness of Vernon.

Kelowna’s Joe Wessel was third in 36:38, while Dirk Handke took seventh place in 38:36.

Tim Dickinson of West Kelowna and Kelowna’s Ivan McKnight also cracked the top 10 finishing ninth and 10th respectively in 39:51 and 40:34.

Age group winners from Kelowna included: Doug McAechan, 11th overall and first in the 45-49 group in 40:52; James Young, men’s 35 to 39 in 41:37; Brian Rourke, men’s 60 to 64 in 41:40; Laurelee Welder, women’s 55 to 59 in 44:15; and Sally Heinrick in women’s 45 to 49 in 45:58.

Forty-one of the 134 runners in the event were from Kelowna.

The next event in the IRA series is this Sunday as the Kelowna Running Club hosts the annual Peak to Beak race.

For more information, visit kelownarunningclub.ca.

 

 

Locals on provincial long track team

KELOWNA CAPITAL NEWS

Ultra-marathons fit fitness bill for Makarewicz

Janice Makarewicz 
 

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Rhodes takes Summerland 1/2 marathon

Kelowna’s Cindy Rhodes was the first woman to complete the Summerland Centennial Half Marathon.

 

 

Published: August 05, 2009 11:00 AM 
 

 

Smokey skies and humid conditions didn’t stop Cindy Rhodes from winning the women’s division of the Summerland Centennial Half Marathon.

The Kelowna Running Club member finished eighth overall and first among all women competitors Sunday morning with a time of one hour 33 minutes nine seconds.

The top local among men was Kelowna’s Rory Switzer who took fourth overall and first in the men’s 45 to 49 age group in 1:24:46.

Vernon’s Trevor Jordan won the race in 1:16:18, while Vernon’s Aaron Heidt took second place in 1:17:24.

One other Kelowna runner cracked the top 10 as Dirk Handke was sixth with a time of 1:27:52.

Other Kelowna runners who finished in the top three in their respective age groups were:

Dane Van Heerden, second in the men’s 20-29 and 17th overall in 1:42:34; Tammy Craig, second in women’s 35-39 in 1:40:40; third in the women’s 45 to 49 in 1:59:25; Garry Bell, first in the men’s 65 to 69 in 2:11:28; and Guy Cupples, third in the men’s 60 to 64 in 2:15:50.

Meanwhile, plans are well under way for the 26th running of the Peak to Beak on Sept. 20.

Race no. 13 on the Canadian Tire Interior Road Race Series, the Peak to Beak is considered a tough and challenging, but very diverse 18 km course. After descending through Knox Mountain Park it winds through the downtown waterfront before crossing the William R. Bennett Bridge. A traverse through Kalamoir Park is followed by an ascent to Quail’s Gate Winery.

The race starts at Knox Mountain Park summit at 9 a.m. and finishes at Quails Gate Winery, 3303 Boucherie Rd. Registration is available online at: eventsonline.ca or by downloading a registration form from the KRC website at: www.kelownarunningclub.ca.

Clerke gets bronze at provincials

Kelowna’s Connor Clerke (front) competes in the men’s 1500 metre final over the weekend at the 2009 B.C. High School Track and Field Championships at Swangard Stadium.

Rob Newell/Black Press

 

 

Published: June 09, 2009 10:00 PM

Connor Clerke was the lone Central Okanagan senior athlete to make it to the podium at the B.C. High School Track and Field Championships.

The Grade 11 Kelowna Secondary School student ran to a bronze medal in the senior boys 1500 metres over the weekend at Swangard Stadium with a personal-best time of four minutes 3.71 seconds.

Clerke narrowly missed a second medal in the 3000 taking fourth place in 8:57:45.

James Turner of KSS also narrowly missed out on the podium after finishing fourth in the long jump with a mark of 6.42m. Turner came sixth in the 200 metres in 23.17 seconds.

Other top 15 performances from local athletes included:

• Natasha Agar, Mount Boucherie, eighth in the girls 100 metres in 13.35 seconds.

• Taylor Hagon, KSS, 13th in girls triple jump at 9.78m.

• Sasha Schoch, KSS, 13th in girls 3000m in 11:26.36.

• Erin Kokayko, KCS, 14th in discus at 23.87 metres.

Two gold for Joyce

Vedanta Academy’s Keefer Joyce was the top Kelowna performer at the Grade 8-9 All Comers meet last weekend at Swangard Stadium, an event which runs in conjunction with senior provincials.

Joyce won the gold medal in both the boys 100 (11.53) and 200 metre (23.15) sprints.

The other local medal came from Okanagan Mission’s Geoff Ansell who won silver in the boys shot put with a toss of 13.71 metres.

Other top-12 efforts came from:

• Sarah Maryschuk, George Elliot, fourth in discus at 24.10 metres

• Katie Maryschuk, George Elliot, ninth in discus at 21.20m.

• Michelle Blackburne, CNB, seventh in the 1500 (5:04.49) and eighth in the 800 (2:27.32).

• Rostam Turner, KLO, 12th in discus with a throw of 31.76 metres.

Rhodes first for women,
Lear 2nd male at Blackwell Dairy 15 K race held in Kamloops

Switzer wins 10 Miler race

Kelowna’s Rory Switzer strides to victory at the Blossom 10 Miler last Sunday in Penticton.

Dirk Handke/Contributor

 

Locals revel in running atmosphere

Keith Parks (left to right), Astrid Varga, Corrine Gable and Pat Gable were among several local runners to compete Monday in the 113th edition of the Boston Marathon.

By Warren Henderson - Kelowna Capital News

Apparently the novelty hasn’t worn off for Pat and Corrine Gable.

Monday’s race was barely over when the Kelowna couple decided they’d be returning for the Boston Marathon in 2010.

“It was no less of a thrill doing it the second time than it was the first,” said Corrine Gable, who ran in her first Boston Marathon one year ago.

“I’d recommend it to anybody, it’s such a wonderful experience. We’re coming back next year, no doubt about it.”

The Gables both ran to personal bests on Monday in the 113th edition of the world’s most storied marathon.

In cool, cloudy and, at times, windy conditions, Corrine covered the 26.2-mile (42.2 km) course in a time of three hours 34 minutes while Pat, running in his third straight Boston Marathon, came home in three hours 11 minutes 16 seconds.

Once again, the Gables rated the atmosphere as second to none and, although the crowds lining the route were not as large as last year, they were as vocal and supportive as ever.

“The crowds weren’t as big, but I’d say they were louder,” said Corrine. “The people just push you along and and are so supportive.”“

“This town is great,” added Pat Gable. “The people go all out to put on a great show, and welcome you with open arms.  It is everything that you’d expect from the Boston Marathon”.

Six other local runners from the Central Okanagan started and completed the 2009 race.

Conservative MP Stockwell Day, who calls West Kelowna home, finished with a clocking of 3:34:35.

Kelowna’s Ev Kroschinsky, who qualified for Boston for the first time, came home in three hours 45 minutes 23 seconds. Other times posted by local runners were: Keith Parks in 3:25:59; Helen Handcock in 4:19:49; Linda O’Neill in 4:26:51; and Astrid Varga in 4:23:07.

The overall winner was Ethiopia’s Deriba Merga in 2:08:42. The top woman was Kenya’s Salina Kosgei with a time of 2:32:16. For complete results, visit www.bostonmarathon.org.

Strong effort by Bos

Kelowna’s Melanie Bos (right) was the first woman to finish the Oliver Wine Capital of Canada 10K
on Sunday morning in the South Okanagan. Bos, seen here crossing the finish line with Kelowna’s
Dirk Handke, was 11th overall.

Kevin Bos/Contributor
 

Ten Kelowna runners broke the top 20 on the latest stop of the Interior Running Association’s road race series.

Tom Michie was the top local finisher at the Oliver Wine Capital of Canada 10K on Sunday morning, taking third overall and the men’s 20 to 29 age group title in 34 minutes 37 seconds.

Kelowna’s Melanie Bos was the first woman to finish the race, placing 11th overall in 39:48.

Penticton’s Olly Piggin won the race in 34:03, while Scott Tremblay of Kaleden was a close second in 34:21.

Rory Switzer won the men’s 45 to 49 age group and was sixth overall in 35:33. Kelowna’s John Machuga was seventh in 36:11, Glenn Lear took eighth in 36:43, and Joe Wessel rounded out the top 10 in 38:05.

Other age group winners from Kelowna were: Ivan McKnight, first in men’s 50 to 54 and 18th overall in 40:27; Shannon Thompson, first in women’s 20 to 29 and 19th overall 41:13; Brian Rourke, first in men’s 60 to 64 in 42: 48; Laurelee Welder, first in women’s 55 to 59 in 43:29; Sally Heinrick, first in women’s 45 to 49 in 45:33; and Jennifer Koga, first in women’s 30 to 34 in 48:13.

A record 232 runners, including 47 from Kelowna competed in the fourth race in the Interior Road Race Series.

The next event on the IRA series is the Peach City 10 Miler, Sunday, May 10, in Naramata.

For complete results, visit: interiorrunning.ca
 

Aabye, Lovig win event titles

Okanagan SimilkameenPublished: April 02,

Merritt’s Hans Aabye used his lengthy stride to pull away from the field and win the 2009 edition of the Campus to Campus Half Marathon.

The lanky, 31-year-old runner covered the 21.1 km course from Curtis Road to Okanagan College on Sunday morning in one hour 14 minutes 13 seconds.

Kelowna’s Rory Switzer—last year’s champion—was a comfortable second-place finisher in 1:16:40. The race drew more than 500 runners—including 270 individuals and 41 relay teams—the most ever in the history of the Campus to Campus.

The event, which has traditionally started from UBC Okanagan in past years, began on Curtis Road this year to accommodate a number of residents who live along a section of the former course.

Glenn Lear came home third in 1:19:16, Rod Franzen was fourth in 1:23:53, and Magnus Aaserud fifth in 1:24:48. Christy Lovig the first woman to finish, seventh overall in 1:25:40.

In addition to Aabye (M30-34), Switzer (M45-49), and Lovig (W30-34), age group winners in the Campus to Campus were: John Milner, men’s under 25 in 1:32:14; Carla Stoddard, women’s under 25 in 1:32:35; Vik Bains, men’s 25 to 29 in 1:33:13; Lindsey Bent, women’s 25 to 29 in 1:32:34; Craig Johnson, men’s 35 to 39 in 1:30:07; Mel Bos. women’s 35 to 39 in 1:27:39; Dirk Handke, men’s 40 to 44 in 1:25:28; Corrine Gable, women’s 40 to 44 in 1:35:31; Sally Heinrick, women’s 45 to 49 in 1:37:45; Ivan McKnight, men’s 50 to 54 in 1:26:13; Laurelee Welder, women’s 50 to 54 in 1:34:47; Paul Young men’s 55 to 59 in 1:32:04; Astrid Varga, women’s 55 to 59 in 1:55:50; Allan Kerr, men’s 60 to 79 in 1:30:19; and Jill Devenish, women’s 60 to 79 in 1:59:15.

In the bookworm relay, The Hybrids won the five-leg race in 1:36:42, Team Zizzou was second in 1:39:13, while Mac Attack was third in 1:39:58.

For complete results on the Campus to Campus Half Marathon, visit www.okanagan.bc.ca/Page12328.aspx

Switzer chalks up a win, while Welder 1st in her age category

Dirk Handke/Contributor

Kelowna’s Laurelee Welder was the first local woman to finish the River’s Spring Run Off 10K last Sunday in Kamloops.

A slippery track didn’t stop Rory Switzer from winning the third race of the season on the Interior Running Association series.

The Kelowna runner captured the River’s Spring Run Off 10 K in Kamloops last Sunday with a time of 36 minutes one second.

Switzer, who competed in the 45 to 49 age group, finished 25 seconds ahead of Ian Polos of Kamloops.

Kelowna’s Glenn Lear took third overall and first in the men’s 30-34 division in 37:48.

Other top 10 local finishers were Kelowna’s Dirk Handke who was fifth overall and first in the 40-44 division in 40:21, and Ivan McKnight who was eighth overall (first in men’s 50 to 54) in 41:47.

Two other Kelowna runners cracked the top 20, both in the men’s 60 to 64 class—Roy Uzelman was 19th in 43:26, while Brian Rourke took 20th in 43:43.

Laurelee Welder was the first Kelowna woman to finish and first in the 55 to 59 group at 44:52.

Other age group winners from Kelowna were: Peter Pollhammer, men’s 65 to 69 in 46:06; and Barb Lawson, women’s 40 to 44 in 49:24.

Fifteen of 23 runners from Kelowna reached the medal podium in their respective age groups.

The next race on the IRA series is the Wine Capital of Canada 10 K on Sunday, April 10 in Oliver.

The next local running event is the Campus to Campus Half Marathon being held on Sunday, March 29.

Clerke finishes 2nd again

Kelowna’s Randy Werger won the men’s 50 to 54 division at the Lakeside Resort 5K in Penticton.

Dirk Handke/Contributor

Published: March 12, 2009 10:00 PM
Updated: March 13, 2009 12:39 AM

 

In a repeat of the Interior Running Association season-opening race last month, Penticton’s Jeff Symonds and Kelowna’s Connor Clerke finished 1-2 at the Lakeside Resort 5 K race.

In cool, breezy conditions on Sunday in Penticton, Symonds posted a clocking of 33 minutes 56 seconds, while Clerke—the winner of the 16 to 19 age group—came across the line second in 37:08.

Symonds and Clerke were also the top two finishers at the Starting Block 10 K back on Feb. 15 in Lavington.

A total of 46 competitors from the Kelowna Running Club competed at the Lakeside 5 K.

Rory Switzer won the men’s 45 to 49 category and placed fifth overall in 17:36.

Glenn Lear took sixth place in 17:38, while John Machuga placed 10th overall in 18:34.

The first Kelowna woman to finish was Shannon Thompson who took 30th in 20:22.

Other results for local runners included: Randy Werger, first in the men’s 50 to 54 and 14th overall in 19:00; Ivan McKnight, 18th overall in 19:43; Vince Denis, 19th in 20:02; Dan Robson, first in the men’s 60 to 64 group in 21:00; Laurelee Welder, first in the women’s 50 to 54 in 21:37; Janice McQuilkin, first in women’s 45 to 49 in 22:53; and Diane Leonard, first in women’s 60 to 64 in 26:53.

Local runners brave elements

Kelowna’s Connor Clerke (left) leads a small group of runners through the snow, including
Kelowna’s Rory Switzer (far right) during the Starting Block 10K last weekend in Lavington.

Published: February 19, 2009 10:00 PM
Updated: February 19, 2009 11:06 PM
 

Four Kelowna competitors cracked the top 10, while another local runner won the women’s division on the inaugural stop of the 2009 Interior Running Association series.

In snowy and icy conditions, Kelowna teenager Connor Clerke finished second only to Vernon’s Jeff Symonds at the Starting Block 10K in Lavington last Sunday. Symonds ran away from the field in 33 minutes 56 seconds, with Clerke coming home next in 37:08.

Kelowna’s Rory Switzer was fifth and won the men’s 45 to 49 category in 37:27.

Chad Ulansky was eighth in 39:14, while Glenn Lear was ninth, first in the men’s 30-34 group in 39:42.

Abbey Miedema of Kelowna was the first woman racer to cross the line, 25th overall in 43:22. Other age group winners from Kelowna were: Randy Werger, first in the men’s 45 to 49 group in 40:57 and 15th overall; Dirk Handke, first in the men’s 40 to 44 group and 17th overall in 41:17; Cindy Rhodes, first in the women’s 50 to 54 class in 43:56; Laurelee Welder, first in the women’s 55 to 59 division in 46:49; Peter Pollhammer, first in the men’s 65 to 69 class in 46:38; and Corrine Gable, first in the women’s 45 to 49 group in 46:57.

The next stop on the IRA series is Penticton on March 8.

Maguire leads Kelowna skaters at North American finals

Keara Maguire led a strong performance by Kelowna speed skaters at the North American Long Track Single Distance Championships.

Top skaters from the United States and Canada gathered last weekend in Calgary to secure top honours in the continent and to earn
valuable national ranking points.

Only those preparing for the World Cups or competing at the world championships were missing from action.

Maguire bagged a pair of silver medals last weekend at the Olympic Oval finishing second in both the 3000 and 5000 metre
events in the under-19 category.

Her effort in the 5000 also stood as the second best time in the Open Age category, while her 3000m time placed her a seventh in the Open.

Keara, who trains and attends university Calgary, also scored three personal bests:
In the 5000, she lowered her time from 7:36,63 to 7:23.75;
In the 3000, she lowered her time from 4:22.68 to 4:20.34;
In the 500, she shaved her time from 43.10 to 42.91.

Nick Goplen and Keara Maguire will prepare for the Canada Cup No. 3 in Quebec City in early March.
 

Keara Maguire posted a pair of top-10 finishes last weekend at the Canadian single distance speed skating championships in Richmond.

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Maguire is on the rise

By Warren Henderson - Kelowna Capital News

Make no mistake, Keara Maguire is an up-and-coming presence on the Canadian women’s speed skating scene.

The 19-year-old from Kelowna is fresh off yet another promising performance at the Canadian single distance championships last weekend in Richmond.

Maguire, who lives and trains in Calgary, smashed her personal best in the 5,000 metre event with a time of seven minutes 45.72 seconds. Her seventh place overall finish came against all of the country’s senior aged speed skaters.

At 19, Maguire is technically still a junior.

“That was only my third 5 k race, so to do that well is really exciting,” said Maguire, who attends the University of Calgary. “I’m still sort of learning how to race at that distance and to be seventh, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. The top five go to the World Cup, so that means I’m getting really close.”

Maguire also turned in a solid effort in the 3,000 metres with a 10th place showing in 4:35.51. It wasn’t a personal best, but did rate as her best time ever at the Richmond Oval. This coming weekend, Maguire will compete in Canada Cup No. 1 at the Olympic Oval in Calgary. With some of the top skaters unlikely to attend, Maguire will be looking to move up in the standings.

A top-two result would be enough to earn Maguire a spot on the national development team for next season.

“When the season started I wasn’t even thinking about the development team, but now it could be within reach,” she said. “It would be great for me if I could get a spot for next season.”

Maguire credits some of her better than expected success in 2008-09 to her coach Crispin Parkinson as well as the switch to a new skate and custom-fitted boot.

The experience she gains every time she steps on the ice hasn’t hurt her cause either.

“The general development and training I go through is going really well,” she said. “I’m learning more about myself and what I’m capable of doing.”

Later this month, Maguire will compete at the Canada Cup No. 2 race in Richmond.

The event doubles as the national trials for the world junior long distance championships in Poland in February.
 

Keara Maguire

Maguire wins 5,000m bronze

Published: December 11, 2008 10:00 PM

 

Just maybe the 5,000 metres will become Keara Maguire’s bread-and-butter. In only her second competitive race at that distance, the 19-year-old from Kelowna won a bronze medal last weekend at the Can Am International long track speed skating event in Quebec City.
Maguire finished the race against many of the country’s best skaters in a time of eight minutes 21.54 seconds.
The event didn’t feature all of Canada’s speed skating elite, such as Cindy Klassen or Clara Hughes, but it was still a confidence builder for Maguire.
“Third was way better than I was hoping for,” said Maguire.
“It should put me in the top 10 in the country which is a good place for me to be right now in my career.”
Maguire, the former Kelowna Speed Skating Club member, also competed in the 3,000 meters in Quebec City where she placed fifth overall.
Maguire, who is in her second year in the business program at the University of Calgary, will return home to Kelowna for Christmas holidays on Dec. 20 before preparing for the second half of the season.
Included on her agenda is the Canadian single distance championships, Dec. 27 to 31 in Richmond, as well as a number of World Cup races in the New Year.
While Maguire continues to improve with each outing, she said competing for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver is a slim possibility at best.
Her long-term plan is to wear the Maple Leaf at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
“Well, 2010 is a little too close and Canada has a ridiculously strong team that’s peaking for those games,” said Maguire.
“My goal this year is to try and make the 2014 development team and work towards the next Olympics.”
 

Morel edges Haaheim in Nicholas cross-country run

 
Men’s and women’s champions Skeets Morel and Shannon Thompson are congratulated by Donna Nicholas (middle) following the Larrry Nicholas Cross Country run on Sunday at Mission Creek Park.

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Published: October 23, 2008 10:00 PM
 

 

Vernon’s Skeets Morel appears to have Trevor Haaheim’s number.
And that number just happens to be 11.

For the second time in a month, Morel beat the 35-year-old Kelowna runner by 11 seconds by winning the Larry Nicholas Memorial Cross Country run Sunday morning in Kelowna.

Morel finished the 9 km race at Mission Creek Park in 32 minutes four seconds, while Haaheim came across the line in 32:15.

On Sept. 19, the Vernon runner captured the Peak to Beak 18 km title in 1:04:49, while Haaheim was second in 1:05:00.

Vernon’s Cameron Egan was third overall in the field of 84 runners with a time of 33:03.

Kelowna’s John Machuga was eighth in 36:06.

The first woman to come home was Kelowna’s Shannon Thompson who was 14th overall 38:13.

Other results for Central Okanagan runners included; Ben Bruch, 11th in 36:49; Tom Carlson, 12th in 37:03; Ivan McKnight, 13th in 37:41; and Michael Zwardon, 17th in 38:37.

The next event on the Interior Running Association cross country series is the Summerland 8.4 km this Sunday at Cartwright Mountain.

Moody’s marathon debut a winner

Kelowna’s Gillian Moody made her first marathon
a memorable one by winning the women’s division.

Dirk Handke/Contributor

Published: October 16, 2008 10:00 PM
Updated: October 17, 2008 11:17 AM

The first time was a charm for Gillian Moody.

The 31-year-old Kelowna woman and former Canadian triathlon team member made her debut at the BMO Okanagan Marathon a triumphant one, capturing the women’s 42.2 km race on Sunday morning in Kelowna.

Moody completed the 2008 race course in two hours 55 minutes 50 seconds, good for fifth place overall.

Moody, who has been mainly an Olympic-distance triathlete and a road cyclist in the past, couldn’t have been happier with the result in her first ever marathon. ”My fear was that I’d start out too fast because all my training had been to slow down the pace,” said Moody. “But it went pretty well. I hadn’t really been thinking about going under three hours until I got through half of the race, then I knew there was a good chance.

“It felt great and I’m so happy I’m not injured,” she added. “It was great to see all the support out there an hear the people cheering as the first woman to finish.”

Brian Torrance of Edmonton set the pace for all 389 marathon finishers winning the race in a time of two hours 39 minutes 56 seconds.

Edmonton’s Niall McGrath was the runner-up in 2:43:25, while Calgary’s Curtis Sampson was third in 2:47:28.

Sean Lawrence was the first Kelowna man to cross the finish line Sunday at City Park, taking 30th overall in 3:17:24.

Other results for local runners included: Thomas Overwater (M 30-39) 41st in 3:25:55; Mark Robinson (M 50-59) in 3:27:18; Danielle Weill (F 30-39); Danita Schreiber (F 30-39) 55th in 3:27:12; and Keith Parks (M 40-49), 57th in 3:29:32.

In the 21.1 km event, Kelowna’s Tom Michie set the pace to finish first in 1:15:29. Merritt’s Hans Aabye was second in 1:16:14, while Edmonton’s Kevin Masters was third in 1:16:20.

Kelowna’s Kathleen Wood was the top local woman to finish the 21.1 k race placing 15th overall and second among all women in 1:26:43.

Kelowna’s Cory Forrest was 17th overall in 1:27:40, while Shannon Thompson took 18th in 1:27:46.

Roger Kirk won the men’s 50-59 age group taking 25th overall in 1:29:36.

In the 10 k race, Kelowna teenager Connor Clerke took top honors with a time of 34 minutes 35 seconds. Calgary’s Graham Hood was second in 34:52.

The first local woman to finish was Martha Sirdevan who was 15th overall in 43:25.

Shawn Baenziger won the men’s 60-69 category with a clocking of 49:49, good for 57th overall.

A total of 2,284 runners completed the three main events on Sunday—the marathon, the 21.1 k run and the 10 k run.

Victoria Marathon

At the Royal Victoria Marathon on Sunday, Kelowna’s Trevor Haaheim finished eighth overall in a time of 2:39:53. Steve Osaduik of Langley won the race in 2:25:31.

Haaheim, a former winner of the the Okanagan Marathon, was first in the men’s 35-39 group. Kelowna’s Martin McMahon was 49th in 2:56:00, while Rory Switzer took 52nd in 256:45.

Tom Carlson broke the top 100 in the field of 1,895 runners taking 89th in 3:05:15.

Cindy Rhodes was the first Kelowna woman to finish taking the 50-54 age class in 3:09:33.

Kelowna’s Dan Crockett was fourth out of 53 runners in the men’s 60-64 age group in 3:24:02.

For Gillian Moody, it wasn‘t so much a case of first time charmed, as it was first time champion.
The Kelowna runner, competing in her first marathon race, simply ran away from the women‘s field and cruised to victory by a margin of more than five minutes in the 14th annual BMO Okanagan Marathon on Sunday in Kelowna.
With cool temperatures providing perfect conditions for the race, Moody was the only female to break the three hour barrier, completing the two-loop, 42.2-kilometre course in a stunning 2:55:50. Her time was good enough for fifth overall in the field of 389 runners. As she caught her breath in the finish area after breaking the tape, the 31-year-old was surprised by the magnitude of her effort.
“I was hoping for anywhere around three (hours), and then when the possibility of under three started materializing, I really went for it,” she said. “I‘m pretty happy . . . I had so much help out there from all the people lining the course and my family was out there.
“A couple of guys let me draft for a good portion, so I‘d like to thank them for that,” she joked.
Although she had more than a minute lead over second place finisher Krissy Dooling of Edmonton at the halfway point, with some runners only completing one loop in their simultaneous half-marathon event, it was sometimes hard for Moody to know where she was in relation to the other competitors.
“I was trying to ask a lot of questions,” she said.
A successful bicycle racer, Moody‘s longest running race before this was a half-marathon “quite a few years ago in Hawaii.” Of the possibility of turning more attention to running, she admitted “I don‘t know. I guess I‘ve got some decisions to make.”
Dooling lost time over the second half of the race and came home in a time of 3:01:13, while Paige Howat of Prince George was third in 3:10:13.
Kelowna‘s Danielle Weil sewed up the seventh spot overall with a time of 3:27:31, and Danita Schreiber, also of Kelowna, rounded out the top 10 with her 3:29:42 result.
In the men‘s side, the 2:39:56 by Edmonton‘s Brian Torrance earned him first place over Niall McGrath, also of Edmonton, who trailed with a 2:43:25 showing. Curtis Sampson of Calgary completed the podium with a 2:48:28 clocking.
Torrance, a 10-kilometre competitor, said he took a piecemeal approach to his run.
“I tried to break it up into quarters,” he said. “I really wanted to get under 2:40, and I did that. It was a little jump out of my comfort zone.”
Torrance chased down eventual fourth-place finisher Michael Labelle of Victoria at mid-race, and passed him for the lead, but he wasn‘t going to assume victory was his.
“You can feel great at 27 (km), but crappy at 35,” Torrance said. “That‘s a long seven kilometers.
“This is an awesome event, and just getting bigger. You‘re out at 20 km in the middle of a vineyard and there‘s people cheering for you, so that‘s exciting.”
The top Kelowna finisher in the men‘s full-distance event was Sean Lawrence, who came in 30th overall with a 3:19:30 clocking.
Kelowna‘s Doug Elmore finished well after the elite runners had come in and cooled down, but he was just as satisfied.
“I used to smoke five cigars a day,” he said in the finish corral, “but my kids inspired me.”
Although he has done triathlons before, this was the first marathon for the 59-year-old.
“I‘ve wanted to do one ever since I ran track as a 17-year-old,” he said with a smile. “It‘s also nice my wife let me train for this.”
The “kids” he was referring to just happen to be his triathlete daughter Jeannette, other daughter Malindi Elmore, a 1,500-metre track star and Athens Olympian, and son-in law Graham Hood, a two-time Olympic runner in the 1,500 as well.
Tom Michie led the Kelowna contingent to the podium in the half-marathon, which was run alongside the full-length race. His 1:15:31 was good for first, while in the women‘s division Kathleen Wood was second with her 1:26:15 (behind winner Amy Barnett of Calgary‘s 1:26:15) and Shannon Thompson earned third with a time of 1:27:46.

Peak to Beak women’s champion Gillian Moody (left) is joined by men’s champion Skeets Morel and race director Mel Bos following Sunday’s road race from Knox Mountain to Quail’s Gate Winery.

Dirk Handke/Contributor

Kelowna‘s Trevor Haaheim has intimated age might be catching up with him.
“He turned me into an old man,” Haaheim said after 24-year-old Skeets Morel of Vernon passed him on the final uphill run through the Quail‘s Gate Estate Winery vineyards in the annual Peak to Beak road race on Sunday.
Haaheim has had a history of putting challengers away on the one-kilometre climb to the finish line, but the 36-year-old could not shake Morel and had to settle for the runner-up spot in the 18-km event – 11 seconds behind the national cross-country skier who won with a time of one hour four minutes 49 seconds.
“I really thought I had him buried after finally catching and passing him on Boucherie Road,” said Haaheim, who has won the race three times and now has three second-place finishes. “But he overtook me again just as we entered the vineyard and opened up a gap of about five metres. I think that spurred him on and I just couldn‘t respond. He was just stronger than me today.”
Haaheim, winner of the event in 2006, 2004 and 2003, played catch-up for most of the diverse, scenic and gruelling run. He was 15 seconds behind Morel and Cameron Egan of Vernon by the time they reached the bottom of Knox Mountain and didn‘t make up the time until they reached Boucherie. His lead was short-lived.
“It was a tough battle the whole way, but for the first time I can remember – near the end of a race – that I couldn‘t deal with a challenge,” added Haaheim. “Now I can‘t wait to get another crack at him this Sunday (Reino Keski-Salmi Memorial 10-km cross-country run in Salmon Arm).
Eagan, who fell off the pace with about two kilometres to go, finished third in a time of 1:05:22, while Vernon‘s Matt Wylie was fourth in 1:08:23. Glenn Lear of Kelowna was fifth overall in 1:10:08 and first in the 30-34 age category. Kelowna‘s Rory Switzer was sixth overall and the frontrunner in the 45-49 division with a clocking of 1:10:12. Seventh place went to Tom Carlson of Kelowna, who was second to Switzer in his age class with a time of 1:11:52. The first woman was Kelowna‘s Gillian Moody, who finished eighth overall. The 31-year-old triathlete and cyclist finished in a time of 1:12:20, well ahead of second place Danita Schreiber of Kelowna (1:23:01), who was first in the 45-49 age division. Vernon‘s Mary Edgar was third overall among the women in 1:23:02. Laurelee Welder led all women runners in the 50-54 age category and was fourth overall among the women with a time of 1:23:37. Expected heavy rain held off for the 128 finishers, although there was some drizzle, along with cool, but comfortable, temperatures under overcast sky.
 

Kelowna’s Chuck Abney crossed the finish line in 46 minutes 49 seconds at the Bike Barn 10k run, Sunday in Penticton to take sixth in the men’s 50 to 54 age group. Penticton’s Jeff Symonds won the Interior Running Association event, while Kelowna’s Rory Switzer was second and Joe Wessel was third.

Karen Maguire/Contributor

Henderson seventh at Peach City Triathlon

Published: July 24, 2008 10:00 PM

Malin top Okanagan finish

Published: July 22, 2008 10:00 PM

The hammering of six nails into a restored railway trestle on Sunday symbolized the realization of an Okanagan dream and the opening of Canada‘s newest historic site.

Thousands of people were on hand to witness the official reopening of the Myra Canyon trestles on the old Kettle Valley Railway line, southeast of Kelowna.

Restored at a cost of $18 million after they were destroyed by fire in 2003, the trestles were declared a National Historic Site and form part of the Trans-Canada Trail through the Okanagan.

“This is a fabulous day, a historic day,” Valerie Pringle, chairman of Trans-Canada Trail board of directors said. “This is the most beautiful trail in Canada.

“To see the trestles rise from the ashes, and get their rightful place as a National Historic Site is so exciting and so wonderful,” Pringle said.

The original trestles through Myra Canyon were built between 1912 and 1914, in what was described as an engineering marvel for the time. Eighteen bridges and two tunnels were constructed in a span of only nine kilometres through the canyon.

“Engineers used conventional technologies in ingenious ways to construct the railway through the rugged, mountainous terrain where workers faced the dangers posed by blasting and rock slides,” reads part of a National Historic Site monument unveiled by Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan.

The federal government provided 90 per cent of the money needed to rebuild the 12 trestles destroyed in 2003, with the provincial government providing 10 per cent.

“This has been a long and exciting journey for us over the past four years,” said Ken Campbell, president of the Myra Canyon Trestle Reconstruction Committee.

“Many said that it couldn‘t be done – and I know none of those people are here today,” Campbell said with a laugh.

From the Myra Canyon portion of the KVR, there are spectacular views down towards Kelowna, with Okanagan Lake visible in the distance. While the area was burned in the massive wildfire of 2003, lush new vegetation and alpine flowers provide a colourful accent to the dark bones of burned trees.

“The variety of scenery is outstanding. This is a beautiful place,” said Vlad Rybicka, an oilfield manager from Calgary who came to the Okanagan with his wife Zoja specifically to take in the reopening of the trestles and cycle along the KVR from Penticton to Kelowna.

Before the fire, an estimated 50,000 people a year hiked or biked through the Myra Canyon.

“With all the pent-up demand and international publicity, some are predicting we‘ll see 100,000 people visiting the trestles this year,” said Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd.

She and others paid special tribute to Campbell for his work in restoring the trestles, first in the 1990s, when the original structures were falling into disrepair, and again after the 2003 fire.

But when it came time to pound six nails into a trestle to symbolize the end of the restoration project, Campbell turned the hammer over to Carl Marcotte, who was the first president of the Myra Canyon Trestle Reconstruction Society.

Campbell praised the energy and commitment shown by Marcotte and other society directors in the first restoration effort.

“If they had not undertaken that project, we probably would not be standing here today, and the trestles and Myra Canyon would have been an unidentifiable footnote to the history of the KVR,” he said.

Switzer leads the way in Princeton to Coalmont 18.5 K

Bos top Kelowna runner at Scorched Sole

Switzer top Kelowna runner at Peach Half

Kaleden’s Scott Tremblay was second in 1:15:39, while Olly Piggin of Penticton was third in 1:17:22.
The first female finisher was Renee McKibbon of Delta in 1:32:07.
Kelowna’s Mike Baldigara was 26th in 1:39:18, while John Yuill came in 29th at 1:40:45.
The first Kelowna woman to cross the line was Ev Kroschinsky in 1:40:22, good for 28th overall.
Westbank’s Ron Gorman was second in the men’s 60-64 age group, 32nd overall in 1:42:18.
Kelowna’s Linda O’Neill won the women’s 45-49 age division in 1:52:46, while Westbank’s Astrid Varga took the women’s 55-59 class in 1:57:28.
Heather Kroschinsky took the women’s under-19 division in 1:59:04.

In the 10 K, Doug McMehcan was the top Kelowna runner taking sixth in 40:47.
Angelique Pires and Heather Hendricks were the first local women to finish in 49:46.
Shawn Baenziger won the men’s 60-69 group in 51:54.

Interior running

The Kelowna Running Club’s Rory Switzer captured the men’s 45-49 age group at the last stop on the Interior Running Association circuit.

Switzer finished third overall in the Blossom 10 Miler on Sunday from Naramata to Penticton in a time of 58 minutes 11 seconds.
Penticton’s Andriy Yastrebov won the race in a time of 57:11.

Other local finishers included:

• Dirk Handke—10th overall, second M 40-44 in a time of 1:04:42
• Ivan McKnight—11th overall, second M45-49 in a time of 1:05:48
• Ramon Gemperle—13th overall in 1:06:29.
• Fred Van der Gaag—19th overall in 1:07:39.
• Shannon Thompson—18th overall, first in F 20-29 and first among Kelowna women in a time of 1:07:26
• Cindy Rhodes—25th overall, first F 50-54 in a time of 1:08:46
• Dan Crockett—26th overall, first in men’s 60-64 in 1:08:52.
• Pat Gable—27th overall in 1:19:13.
• Bernice Lightfoot, first in the women’s 45-49 category, 28th overall in 1:09:21.
• Astrid Varga, first in the women’s 55-59 group in 1:20:52.
• Diane Leonard, first in the women’s 60-64 division in 1:27:43.
• Min Rayson, first in the women’s 65-69 group in 1:30:49.
The next race on the IRA series is the Blackwell Dairy 15k May 25 in Kamloops.

Interior running

Kelowna resident Bill Spill was one of hundreds who took part in the 10 Mile Blossom Road Race in Penticton Sunday. (Photo: Kyle Sunderman)

Local runners do us proud

Amazing event for participating Kelowna runners

Pat Gable (left to right), Leo Rutten, Corrine Gable, Keith Parks, Missy Blackburn and John Wickenheiser share a celebratory glass of water after finishing the 112th Boston Marathon on Monday. Rutten made the trip from Kansas, while all other runners hail from Kelowna.

Wessel fifth in Oliver 10K running race

Kelowna runner holds on to early lead in half marathon

Hunt sets the standard in Penticton run

March 14, 2008

 

Kelowna’s Theodore Hunt (right) outlasted Vernon’s Greg Johnson (left) and Penticton’s Tom Evans
to win the Lakeside 5K on Sunday in Penticton.
 

Kelowna’s Theodore Hunt set the standard as six local runners broke into the top 10 at the latest stop on the Interior Running Association’s road race series.

Hunt won a three-way battle with Penticton’s Tom Evans and Greg Johnson of Vernon
to capture the Lakeside 5 K in Penticton on Sunday morning in a time of 16 minutes 41 seconds.
Evans was second in 16:43, while Johnson came third in 16:47.

Kelowna’s Connor Clerke, who won the men’s 16-19 age division, was fourth overall in 16:57 as four runners broke the 17-minute barrier.Kelowna’s Rory Switzer came fifth overall in 17:03 to win the men’s 45-49 division.

Rounding out results for local runners in the top 10: Kelowna’s Joe Wessell, eighth in 18:09, Randy Werger, ninth in 18:22, and Westbank’s Kevin Weremy was 10th in 18:26.

Other age group winners from the Kelowna area were: Shannon Thompson (women’s 20-29) in 19:37; Cindy Rhodes (women’s 50-54) in 19:40; Dell Balfour (men’s 50-54) in 20:32; Kari Bailey (women’s 40-44) in 21:10; Astrid Varga (women’s 55-59) 23:02; and Diane Leonard (women’s 60-64) in 24:37.

The next event on the IRA series is the River’s Spring Run-Off 10K this Sunday in Kamloops.

Clerke fastest local runner at Interior road race event

February 29, 2008

Two school principals from Kelowna and two from Vancouver Island were among 33 recognized today
by a national organization as the country's outstanding principals for 2008.

The B.C. winners are Carol MacWilliams from KLO middle school in Kelowna, Curtis Schreiber from Rutland middle school in Kelowna,
Tarjeet Mann of Braefoot elementary in Victoria and David Betts of Sooke school district.

The honour was bestowed by The Learning Partnership, a national not-for-profit organization that champions public education.
It said the principals were chosen because they have made a measurable difference in the lives of their students and their communities.

"In helping to prepare young people to one day assume their place as leaders, more than ever, it is important that we continue
to recognize the efforts of the educational leaders, the principals who are shaping today's youth for a better Canada tomorrow,"
says Veronica Lacey, The Learning Partnership's president.

"It is truly a privilege to be able to recognize a group of principals whose talents and accomplishments are as diverse
as the students they teach and the communities they serve."

Local runners do well in Sacramento

In minutes, pilot rescued 5 from Harris fire By Tony Manolatos UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER October 31, 2007 City officials familiar with long road to recovery 'She tried to inspire us' Officials talk cleanup News you can use A stern warning for those looking to defraud fire victims Video CDF helicopter pilot Michael Wagstaff describes the rescue of a group of firefighters who were overcome by the Harris fire near Potrero. SignOnSanDiego video by Yvette De La Garza. Media Player The FREE Windows Media Player is necessary to play Windows Media.   Mike Wagstaff was circling the Harris fire in his Super Huey helicopter, sucking water from ponds and dumping it on flames, when the call came in. “Come over here to the western side of the fire. I need you to find these guys,” Cal Fire Chief Ray Chaney radioed Wagstaff from the command plane monitoring the fire. It was just after noon Oct. 21. The Harris fire had been burning less than three hours, but the tiny town of Potrero was already in flames. Wagstaff has been a contract firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service for 23 years. He doesn't rattle easily, and he didn't panic when Chaney delivered the news: Flames had overrun a fire engine and its crew. One person was dead and everyone was burned, including one civilian. A firefighter was missing. Wagstaff clicked a frequency switch and radioed the Cal Fire captain of the charred engine, Raymond “Ray” Rapue. The pilot's voice was calm. “OK guys. I'm comin' in to getcha,” he said. “Talk to me.” Wagstaff was familiar with the rural stretch of San Diego County near the U.S.-Mexico border because he had fought fires there before. He figured the firefighters were at the rear of the fire's head, which had just blown through the center of town. Before Wagstaff swooped down, he dumped all of his water – about 300 gallons – on a hot spot so he could more easily maneuver the copter. He also located power lines he knew were somewhere beneath him in the clouds of blinding smoke. It wasn't easy. The lines were gray just like the smoke.   NELVIN CEPEDA / Union-Tribune Mike Wagstaff, shown at Gillespie Field in El Cajon yesterday, was called to rescue a fire engine and crew trapped in the Harris fire soon after it began Oct. 21. Wagstaff is assigned to the Ramona Air Attack Base from May through November. “The wind was – the wind was just howling,” Wagstaff said at a news conference yesterday, standing straight and tall in his tan pilot jumpsuit and speaking with a New Zealand accent. “It was very bumpy. Very strong.” On the ground, other firefighters were trying to get to the trapped crew. But the flames were too intense and they had to turn back. As Wagstaff circled, he and Rapue kept talking. “I can hear you, but I can't see you,” Rapue said from the ground. From the command plane, Chaney watched, listened and worried. “He came in and landed in an area where no one should have,” Chaney said last week, fighting back tears as he described what Wagstaff did that day. Wagstaff arrived at the Harris fire at 9:43 a.m., about 20 minutes after it began. By 10:35 a.m., Potrero was under mandatory evacuation. Engine 3387, carrying Rapue, rookie firefighter Andrew Pikop and two other firefighters whose names haven't been released, arrived about 11 a.m. after a 67-mile drive from San Marcos. The crew's instructions were clear: Evacuate homes ahead of the fast-moving fire. And be quick and careful because the fire is intense and the Santa Ana winds are surging. Just before noon, the engine stopped in front of a home off Emery Lane and state Route 94. Diane Varshock had left, but Thomas Varshock, 52, and the couple's 15-year-old son, Richard, had stayed behind to hose down their house. The family had lived there 20 years, and neighbors said Thomas Varshock was a strong-willed and serious man who cared deeply about his family, his neighbors and his ranch. Richard was a wrestler at Valhalla High School. His dad belonged to the Kiwanis Club.   NELVIN CEPEDA / Union-Tribune Mike Wagstaff (left) and firefighter Brad Corbin prepared to land at Gillespie Field in El Cajon yesterday. “He worked hard for what he had. He didn't want to lose it,” said Gordon Hammers, whose house is about two miles from the Varshocks'. Wagstaff, meanwhile, had dropped off seven firefighters on the dirt road where the fire had begun. He went back up alone and started making water drops. Wagstaff, who is 48 and divorced, works for Idaho-based Kachina Aviation, and this was his third fire season in San Diego County. He is assigned to the Ramona Air Attack Base from May through November. The first sign that something was wrong came across Chaney's radio. He could hear people screaming. “I got a burnover situation on the Harris fire,” Rapue said from the trapped engine. “OK, sir. I understand your situation,” Chaney said. “We're comin' to get you.” In the background, Chaney heard more screams. He radioed Wagstaff, and less than a minute later, the pilot spotted someone wearing a yellow firefighter's jacket, beneath all the smoke. “I asked the captain on the other end of the radio to wave to me, and sure enough, he waved,” Wagstaff said. Wagstaff inched his copter closer, but a thick cloud of smoke was blowing toward its nose. He pulled up into clearer air, then dropped down as the smoke cleared. Rapue radioed Wagstaff again. The captain said someone was missing from his crew. From his window, Wagstaff saw that one of the people below – it turned out to be Thomas Varshock – was wrapped in a silver rescue blanket. He told Rapue to remove the blanket so it wouldn't blow into the helicopter's blades. Wagstaff squeezed the copter down about 150 yards from the fire engine. One of the copter's blades hung over a chain-link fence. Another touched some burnt brush. Four burned survivors climbed into the aircraft. “I looked back, and they were all helping each other,” Wagstaff said. Varshock was dead. Pikop was missing, and Rapue figured he was dead, too. Wagstaff made sure the door was locked, then lifted off. The rescue, from the time he got the call until he took off, had taken about two minutes. Chaney, still watching and directing, told Wagstaff to fly the injured passengers to a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection station about a half mile away. Then Wagstaff took off again to find Pikop. Cal Fire Capt. Carl Schwettmann Jr. also was searching for Pikop. The flames had moved west, and Schwettmann steered his white Cal Fire pickup into what was left of Potrero. The smoke was lifting, giving everyone a clearer view of the scorched earth and the burned homes. Schwettmann radioed Wagstaff and said he had found Pikop. Within seconds, Wagstaff picked up his last passenger and headed to the fire station. By then, Richard Varshock was being flown to UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest. After Pikop was reunited with his crew, the firefighters were flown there, too. Pikop and Rapue, who are sharing a room in the hospital, were listed in fair condition. The two firefighters who haven't been identified remained in critical condition, as did Richard Varshock. Since the day of the rescue, Wagstaff hasn't had much time to think about his dramatic rescue. Once everyone was safe, he flew back to the Harris fire and dropped water until 6 p.m. After yesterday's news conference, he went back to work again.

Strong showing for local runner

By Kevin Parnell - Kelowna Capital News - October 28, 2007

Kelowna runner Paul Macklem, here in the annual Beach to Peak race, was third out of 199 runners in the Detroit Half Marathon last weekend.

by Randy Werger/Contributor

Having grown up in Windsor, Ontario, Kelowna resident Paul Macklem had always wanted to race in the nearby Detroit Marathon.
Now Macklem can scratch that accomplishment off his list of things to do.
But Macklem, 52, didn’t participate in the half-marathon portion of the Detroit Marathon just to say he did it. He was looking for a solid placing in the event, which featured close to 16,000 runners taking part in the marathon, half marathon and five kilometre runs and took place last weekend.
“I’m competitive by nature,” said Macklem this week, after returning from Detroit. “I probably shouldn’t be at my age but it’s fun. I had a time in mind and I thought if I could achieve that time I could place OK.”
And OK he did. In fact Macklem was quicker than he thought, finishing under his time goal. His time placed him third in the male 50 to 54 age category in a field of 199 runners in his category. More impressive, he was also 43rd overall out of 4,700 runners that ran the half-marathon.
The Detroit Marathon is unique in that it crosses the international border between Canada and the United States twice. Runners head over the Ambassador Bridge which links Detroit and Windsor and return to the U.S. in the Detroit Windsor tunnel, underneath the Detroit River.
“It brought back a lot of memories,” said Macklem. “When I was a kid I spent time in Detroit going to sporting event and concerts. Just being there was interesting and exciting. I’ve never been in a race with that many people.”
“Having 16,000 people competing for 250 porta potties was very enlightening,” he joked.
Macklem has been running for some twenty years and this year has placed first in his age category in the annual Beach to Peak Race as well as the Campus to Campus Marathon. Now the director of financial services at the City of Kelowna, he has been with the city for 19 years and runs five times per week with the Kelowna Running Club.
Married with two children, Macklem says the Detroit Marathon was probably a once in a lifetime experience.

kparnell@kelownacapnews.co

Local runners show well in cross-country race series

October 26, 2007

  

 

Kelowna’s Melanie Bos was the first woman to cross the finish line in Sunday’s Larry Nicholas Memorial 9K in a time of 38 minutes 13 seconds.

by Randy Werger/Contributor
 

Four Kelowna runners cracked the top 10 in the third cross country race of the season on the Interior Running Association series.
Trevor Haaheim was the top local finisher in the Larry Nicholas Memorial 9K on Sunday at Mission Creek Park taking third overall in 32 minutes 51 seconds.
It ended Haaheim’s two-year hold on the event which he won in 2005 and 2006.
No one could catch Penticton’s Jeff Symonds who set the pace in the 89-athlete field with a time of 30: 24. Vernon’s Stephen Lowry was second in 31:28.
Kelowna’s Rory Switzer won the men’s 40 to 49 age division and placed fifth overall.
Gary Wade was seventh in 34:34, while Chad Ulansky took ninth overall in 35:00 to round out Kelowna’s representation in the top 10.
Melanie Bos was the top Kelowna woman to cross the line in 38:13, good for 19th overall and first in the women’s 30 to 39 age group. Kathleen Wood of Kelowna was right behind in 20th in 38:48.
Results for other local athletes included: John Machuga, 11th in 35:30; Carlos Capela, 14th in 37:00; Dirk Handke, 17th in 37:48; Mark Fromberg, 23rd in 39:21; Shannon Thompson, 25th in 39:59; Justin Nicholas, 27th in 40:26; John Wickenheisen, 28th in 40:28; and Alex Harvie, 29th in 40:32.
Other local age group winners were: Dan Crockett, Kelowna, first in the men’s 60 to 69 division in 41:51; and Astrid Varga, Westbank, first in the women’s 50 to 59 in 46:05.
The next cross country event on the IRA series is the Summerland 8K this coming Sunday.
For more information, visit www.interiorrunning.ca.
In other running news, Kelowna’s Paul Macklem completed the Detroit Half Marathon on Sunday.
He placed 43rd overall out of more than 4,700 runners and was third in the 50 to 54 men’s age grouping

Kelowna runners atop the field

October 19, 2007

 

Dirk Handke was one of seven Kelowna runners to win his
overall season age title on the 2007 Interior Road Race series.

by Randy Werger/Contributor
 

Kelowna runners left a heavy footprint on the 2007 Canadian Tire Interior Road Race series.
Local athletes won seven overall age group titles, while another eight placed in the the top three of
their respective divisions.
Dirk Handke, who was the only Kelowna runner to compete in all 13 races of the season series,
 won the men’s 40 to 44 age division as well as the Iron Leg award for participation.
Here’s a look at how local runners fared in the season standings:

M 30-34 2nd place—Adam Elliot
M 35-39 2nd place—Steve Fairhurst
M 40-44 1st place—Dirk Handke
M 45-49 1st place—Ivan McKnight
M 50-54 3rd place—John Wichenheisen
M 55-59 3rd place—Keith Burton
M 65-69 3rd place—Bill Stephens
F 20-29 1st—Shannon Thompson
F 30-34 1st—Tracie Green
F 30-34 2nd—Martha Sirdevan
F 40-44 2nd—Caroline Raine
F 50-54 1st—Cindy Rhodes
F50-54 2nd—Lauralee Welder
F 55-59 1st —Astrid Varga
F 60-64 1st—Diane Leonard
Merritt’s Hans Aabye dominated the series, competing in all thirteen races, setting two course records,
posting nine overall wins and twelve age category wins.
Mel Doherty from Kamloops completed all 13 races again this year stretching his series participation to
177 consecutive races in the IRA series.
Awards will be handed out at the annual IRA banquet to be hosted by the Kelowna Running Club on November 17.
 

Tremblay takes OIM from Haaheim

Nancy Gillis/Contributor

Kaleden’s Scott Tremblay raises his arms in victory after crossing the finish line first on Sunday at the Okanagan International Marathon. Defending champion Trevor Haaheim of Kelowna was the runner-up.

Oct 10 2007

Kaleden’s Scott Tremblay has ended hometown favorite Trevor Haaheim’s one-year grasp on the Okanagan International Marathon.
Tremblay covered the 42.2 km course through the streets of Kelowna on Sunday morning to win the 13th edition of the OIM in two hours, 38 minutes, 27 seconds.
Haaheim settled for second best to Tremblay finishing 73 seconds back at 2:39:40.
The two runners kept each other within striking distance for much of the race, but Tremblay finally pulled away over the last two kilometres.
“I ran as hard as I could for the day,” said Haaheim, 35. “I was running on borrowed time the last 10 km and I just don’t think I quite had the fitness.
“Scott’s a nice runner and he set a pace that I couldn’t quite hang on to.”
It was the first year the race had been run entirely north of Highway 97 due to construction of the new bridge and the absence of the bridge tunnel. The runners had to make two loops of the course which ran from City Park to the Glenmore area and back again.
Haaheim, who won last year’s marathon in 2:38:33, has been a contender the last several years finishing second in 2005 and sixth in 2003.
Tremblay, 33, who was third in Kelowna in 2004, is a national-class triathlete who finished 19th overall earlier this summer at Subaru Ironman Canada in Penticton.
Kelowna’s Martin McMahon turned in his best overall finish at the OIM taking fourth place in 2:57:58. McMahon also took first out of 106 competitors in the men’s 40 to 49 age division.
The top female finisher was Calgary’s Christy Lovig at 3:14:23.

Other results for Central Okanagan runners include:
Steve Fairhurst (30-39), 36th in 3:18:47; Kurt Innes (30-39), 50th in 3:25:08 (chip time 3:21:33); Kyle Lunman (20-29), 65th in 3:29:49 (chip time 3:27:20); Daryl Spencer (40-49), 71st in 3:30:39; Randy Werger (40-49), 85th in 3:33:37 (chip time 3:31:35).
Kelowna’s Joanne Marees (40-49) was the top female finisher among local athletes taking 107th place in 3:39:06, while Ellen Boelcke was 117th overall and seventh out of 80 in the women’s 40-49 group.

In the 21.1 km (half marathon) event , Surrey’s Mark Sherman took first place in a time of 1:14:30.
Three-time marathon winner Sergio Pio of Penticton was second in 1:16:08, while Jeff Krar of Calgary was third in 1:18:16.
Taylor Lick was the top Kelowna finisher taking fifth—and first in the men’s under 20 class—in 1:22:49.
Kathleen Wood of Kelowna was the first woman to cross the line in the 21.1 km event in 1:26:23.

Other results for local athletes include: William Running, Kelowna, eighth overall and first in the men’s 20-29 division in 1:26:01; Howard Davidson, 13th overall in 1:26:44; Tim Dickinson, 25th overall and first in the men’s 50-59 age group in 1:30:22; Bill Justus, 34th in 1:32:27; Shannon Thompson, 43rd and third out of 190 c competitors in the women’s 20-29 in 1:33:36; Caroline Raine, 45th in 1:34:03; and Cheryl Bjorgan, 48th in 1:34:58.

In the 10 km event., Edmonton’s Kevin Masters posted the best time at 34:59. Jonathan Bird of Calgary was second in 35:29, while Kevin Lindland of Calgary was third in 37:37.
The top Kelowna runner was Andrew Corcoran who was sixth overall in 41:37.
Kim McCrea was the fastest local woman finishing 11th in 44:24.
In the marathon wheelchair category, Jim Hudec of Salmo was first in 2:17:11, with Kelowna’s Paul Clark second in 2:25:19.
Between the marathon, 21.1 km, 10 km, and walking races, more than 2,500 people finished the various events at the OIM.
 

Defense of OIM title a challenge for Haaheim

Kelowna’s Trevor Haaheim will be back to defend his title on Sunday
at the 2007 Okanagan International Marathon.

By Warren Henderson
Staff Reporter

Oct 05 2007

When it comes to being physically and mentally prepared to run a big race, Trevor Haaheim said he’s seldom felt better.
But the 35-year-old runner from Kelowna isn’t making any assumptions about the odds of defending his title this Sunday at the Okanagan International Marathon. “There could be 10 guys that show up who are capable of running 2:25 or 2:30, you just never know what’ll happen,”
said Haaheim. “I could end up 20th.
“You can’t control what other runners do. But I am feeling better than other years, so we’ll see how it goes.”
One runner Haaheim won’t have to contend with this year is Vernon’s Trevor Jordan. Haaheim out dueled Jordan in a head-to-head battle in 2006 to win by a margin of 21 seconds in two hours, 38 minutes, 33 seconds.
Haaheim was second in the OIM 2005 and sixth in 2003.
For Haaheim and the other 800-plus runners who are expected to compete in the marathon, the course will have a drastically different look than in past years. Due to the bridge construction, the 42.2-km route is set up entirely north of Highway 97.
In the past, most of the race was run south of Harvey Avenue.
This time, the runners will make two loops of the course which begins in City Park, winds from downtown through Glenmore on High, Valley, Curtis, Mail and Longhill Roads, then back to City Park again.
“It’s a more picturesque, more scenic course than the last one,” said race manager Tom Keough. “There’s a gradual climb up into the (Glenmore) area, then about the last nine kilometres coming back in there’s a bit of a downhill grade, so the runners should be just smoking at the end of each loop.” From at least one runner’s perspective, two loops of the same course can create a few challenges.
Kelowna’s Martin McMahon, who was ninth overall in last year’s OIM in 2:50:52, expects this year’s run to be a bigger test, at least from a mental standpoint.
“I think it’ll be a little harder psychologically,” said McMahon, who won the Campus to Campus race this spring in Kelowna. “When you do double loops, you see the same parts of the course twice. You want more change in a long race like that.
“But it’s still a nice race regardless of the course. I’m really looking forward to it again.”
Whether McMahon expects the new route to actually prevent him from bettering last year’s time apparently isn’t up for discussion.
“I’ve got a goal but I’m keeping it private,” McMahon, 43, said with a laugh. “That way, no matter how I do I can play it however I want when it’s over.”
In addition to the marathoners, more than 1,600 people have signed up for the 21.1 km event (half marathon) while another 550 are registered for the 10 km race.
Another 200 or so people will also be walking one of the three courses for a total of more than 3, 000 entrants on Sunday.
The weekend’s festivities begin Saturday with the Friendship Walk/Run at 9 a.m. followed by the BMO Kids Run for Kids at noon.
On Sunday, the 21.1 km race starts at 7 a.m., the Excel 10k goes at 7:30, and the marathon starts at 8 a.m.
Next year, organizers will be adding a five-kilometre event.
“In addition to the competitive aspect, we really want this to be a recreational event with more and more people coming out and getting active,” said Keough. “Whether it’s running or walking, we want to cover all the distances so everyone—kids, parents, grandparents—can all come out and be a part of it.”

For more information or to volunteer, call 762-7677, or visit: www.okanaganmarathon.ca.
whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
 

Sep 28 2007 Haaheim?s bid for a fourth title comes up short

Oliver?s Steven Murrenbeeld prevented Kelowna?s Trevor Haaheim from winning his fourth title in five seasons in the last race of the year on the Interior Running Association?s road series. Murrenbeeld completed the 14 km course in Sunday?s Beach to Peak race from Gyro Beach in Kelowna to Quail?s Gate Estate Winery in 50 minutes and 21 seconds. Haaheim was second in 51:18. The race, which has been called Peak to Peak, Peak to Beak and Peak to Pyramid in the past, was shortened up by about four kilometres this fall because of the bridge construction. Haaheim won the event in 2003, 2004, and 2006, while placing second in 2005. Haaheim also won last year?s Okanagan International Marathon. Hans Aabye of Merritt was third in 52:35. Kelowna?s Cindy Rhodes was the top female finisher in taking 12th overall in 1:02:33. Kelowna?s Rory Switzer was fifth overall and first in the men?s 45 to 49 group in 53:23, while Gary Wade was sixth in 56:27. Joe Wessell won the men?s 30 to 34 group and was seventh overall in 58:07, Dirk Handke was eighth in 59:23, and Steve Fairhurst rounded out the top 10 in 1:00:28. Other age group winners from the Central Okanagan were: Paul Macklem, first in the men ?s 50 to 54 and 11th overall in 1:01:34; Tracie Green, in the women?s 30 to 34 in 1:03:23; Shannon Thompson in the women?s 20 to 29 in 1:03:44; Leane Marton in the women?s 35 to 39 in 1:11:34; Astrid Varga in the women?s 55 to 59 division in 1:15:00; Diane Leonard in the women?s 60 to 64 group in 1:16:24; Anna Yuill, first in the women?s 16 to 19 in 1:32:38.

© Copyright 2007 Kelowna Capital News

 

Sep 21 2007 Kelowna triathlete tops 35-39 age group in Washington event

Contributed Kelowna?s Biggi Weischedel (right) and Pascal Sutherland were among the top finishers in their respective age groups in the half iron at the Grand Columbian Triathlon last weekend. Kelowna's Biggi Weischedel set the pace for her age group in the half iron at the Grand Columbian Triathlon last weekend in Grand Coulee, Wash. Weischedel captured top honours in the women's 35 to 39 age group, completing the 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride, and 21 km run in five hours, 28 minutes, 15 seconds. That was good enough for 10th place among women competitors and 56th overall. Another Kelowna athlete, Pascal Sutherland, was second in the men's 30 to 34 age group in 5:08:28. Sutherland placed 28th overall out of 295 racers. Due to heavy smoke from a nearby fire, organizers decided to change the course the day before the race. "It was a tough race," said Weischedel, who races for Team Stay Put. ?The run turned into a more challenging course with rolling hills and the bike course was also changed. "The bike includes the Almira Grade, a very steep climb up to a mesa (plateau). ?On the plateau the headwinds and tough rollers kept our legs turning. ?Most roads we rode on were very rough so that our bodies took a beating," said Weischedel.

© Copyright 2007 Kelowna Capital News

 

Boe, Pommier lead locals at the Ironman Randy Werger/Contributor Kelowna’s Ken Pommier heads for home at Ironman Canada Sunday in Penticton.  Pommier, who finished the race in 10 hours, 37 minutes, 23 seconds was second only to Ken Boe (10:34:24) among Central Okanagan finishers. Aug 29 2007 Ken Pommier won’t forget his first Ironman Canada anytime soon. In fact, the Kelowna man ranks Sunday’s triathlon in Penticton as one of the definitive highlights of his 44 years on the planet. “It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done,” Pommier said on Monday, admitting he was a little sore from the previous day’s activities. “I have a big grin on my face. Everybody in this community gets so involved and they’re so supportive, they make you feel like a rock star for a day.” Pommier finished the 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride and 42 km run in 209th place overall out of more than 2,500 competitors. His time of 10 hours, 37 minutes, 23 seconds placed Pommier 34th out of 393 athletes in the men’s 40 to 44 age group and second among all Central Okanagan competitors. The first Kelowna triathlete to cross the finish line on Sunday was Ken Boe in a time of 10:34:24. Boe, 46, was 189th overall and 16th out of 296 men in the 45 to 49 group. Ackland, New Zealand’s Kieran Doe was the overall winner of the 2007 Ironman in 8:32:45, while Penticton’s Jonathan Caron took second in 8:39:59. Canadian pro Lisa Bentley of Caledon, Ont., won the women’s title for a third time in 9:41:01. The first Kelowna woman to cross the finish line was Kathleen Wood who was 14th out of 150 athletes in the 35 to 39 age group and 497th overall in 11:17:34. Other results for Central Okanagan athletes included: Chris Ovelson, 228th in 10:40:33; Sean Orb, 240th in 10:41:52; Curtis Schreiber, 341st in 10:56:44; Steven Sharpe, 525th in 11:21:58; David Anderson in 11:40:58; Tanya Traverse in 11:48:25; Janine Benson in 11:50:23; Chris Wilson in 11:53:29; Ian McKee in 12:07:26; Stuart Dolbel seventh in the men’s 60 to 64 category in 12:09:09; Ellen Boelcke in 12:11:26; Tonya Haines in 12:12:16; Dean Clutterbuck in 12:12:47; Andrew Dartnell in 12:29:57; Dale Patterson in 12:36:36; Gordon Zimmerman in 12:42:45; Doug Nicholas in 12:44:08; Linda Lovig in 12:47:35; Paul Plocktis in 12:56:38; Hayley Boucher in 13:04:13; Stephen Pope in 13:05:26; Andrea Brygin in 13:09:48; Darren Banting in 13:13:01; Chris Beausoleil in 13:25:38; Tina Kristiansen in 13:26:51; Shelley Would in 13:30:58; Shane Driscoll in 13:33:28; Eric Peemoeller in 13:41:31; Kim McCombie in 13:56:35; Darren Milaney in 13:59:18; Kim Froom in 14:01:07; Amanda Henzie in 14:04:33; Pam Moore in 14:14:26; Darren Umeris in 14:29:29; Crystal Flaman in 14:33:40; Lewis McCombie in 14:46:11; Kristoffer Grain in 14:54:39; Tony Lonergan in 15:05:35; Brad Lohmeier in 15:20:46; Brian Lundy in 15:26:29; James Brodie in 15:33:55; Bronnie Hautala in 15:54:26; Jeffrey Maxwell in 15:55:44; Bobbi Driscoll in 16:37:55; Pelma Haffenden in 16:46:06; and Sharon Lonergan (Iron Spirit Award winner) in 16:52:38.

Sep 12 2007 Kelowna quintet dominate top 10 finishers at IRA event

Rory Switzer led a contingent of five Kelowna runners who finished in the top 10 at the latest stop on the Interior Running Association series. Switzer was fourth overall and first in the men's 45 to 49 age group at the Bike Barn 10 K on Sunday in Penticton in 35 minutes, 56 seconds. Merritt's Hans Aabye was the overall winner in 34:24, his third straight victory on the IRA series. Adam Elliot was sixth in 36:52, Chad Ulansky finished eighth in 38:12, Ivan McKnight was ninth in 39:19, while Dirk Handke was 10th in 39:38. Steve Fairhurst was 12th in 39:41. The top local woman was Kelowna's Martha Sirdevan who was 16th overall and first in the women's 30 to 34 division in 41:36. Tracie Green was 17th in 41:43, while Cindy Rhodes was 18th and first in the women's 50 to 54 age group in 41:50. Rhodes has won eight age group titles this season. John Wickenheisen rounded out the top 20 in 42:23. Caroline Raine captured the women's 40 to 44 age group and was 21st overall in 42:32. Other age group winners from the Central Okanagan were: Shannon Thompson (20 to 29) 22nd overall in 42:52; Astrid Varga (55 to 59) in 46:18; Sally Heinrick (45 to 49) in 46:40; and Diane Leonard (60 to 64) in 49:44. The next and final race of the series is the Beach to Beak September 23 in Kelowna. Information on the event can be found on the IRA page or at the Kelowna Running Club web site at http://business.silk.net/krc. Two Kelowna runners competed in the Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon on Sunday. Norm Drake finished the 21 km race in 1:34:33, while Katherine Hickman crossed the line in 2:29:26.

© Copyright 2007 Kelowna Capital News

 

Aug 24 2007 Kelowna runners make strong showing in Salmon Arm

Three Kelowna runners cracked the top 10 at the latest event of the Interior Running Association's 2007 series. Adam Elliot led the Central Okanagan contingent taking fifth place overall at the Raven Run 10 k on Sunday morning in Salmon Arm with a time of 40 minutes 33 seconds. Dirk Handke was eighth in 41;24, while Randy Werger won the 45 to 49 age group in 41:40 and placed 10th overall. Hans Aabye from Merritt continued his domination of the series completing the 10 k route in 36:50. This Raven Run is arguably the toughest race in the series with its steep downhill start followed by several steep inclines and an undulating, but down hill finish. Cindy Rhodes from Kelowna was the top female finisher with a time of 44:15, first in the women's 50 to 54 division and 20th overall. The next race in the IRA series is the Bike Barn 10 km in Penticton on Sept.9. With only two races left in the 2007 IRA series, these Kelowna Running Club members lead the series in their age groups: Dirk Handke M 40-44; Ivan McKnight M 45-49; Tracie Green F 30-34; Cindy Rhodes F 50-54; and Astrid Varga F 55-59.

© Copyright 2007 Kelowna Capital News

 

Aug 19 2007 Buddies help each other compete in 100 mile races

Kevin Parnell/Capital News Ultra marathoners Shirlee Ross (left) and Janice Page completed the Stormy 100 in Squamish last weekend in 28.5 hours. By Kevin Parnell Sports Reporter Duo watch out for each other through most difficult of races. Spending nearly 30 hours with your closest friend at your side might create some tension even within the tightest of pals. Try running trails for 100 miles with that friend. Shirlee Ross and Janice Page did just that this past weekend and the twosome never quarreled. In fact the pair helped each other finish the grueling Stormy 100, the third ultra marathon they have run together. The two Kelowna moms were in Squamish running the ultra marathon: A 100 mile cross country race that took them 28.5 hours to complete. They were two of just three women competing in the race and they completed it together. "It's wonderful to have someone to do it with because you have to run through the night," said Ross, 39. "It was a first year race and you don't know exactly where the course goes." Ultra marathons are a test of endurance and fitness. The Stormy 100 in Squamish started at 10 a.m. last Friday and ended Saturday afternoon for the pair. Having someone to run with provides motivation, said Page. "Shirlee and I are lucky because we run well together," said Page, 51. "If we are hurting or having a hard time we know we can depend on each other. I look forward to doing a 100 miler with her. I know we will get though it." Completing the race was never in question for Ross and Page. Both have completed a half dozen of the 100 milers and both say they will continue to run them. "It's definitely a challenge," said Page. "I've never got to the point where I've thought I'm not going to finish. Physically and mentally you have to stay strong. I always think this will be my last ultra but within a day or two I'm thinking which one am I going to do next." Ross, who late this week still couldn't get her shoes on because of painful blisters she suffered in the race, said the challenge of testing yourself and your body is the reason she likes the ultra marathons. "I believe when we make ourselves uncomfortable and challenge ourselves, that's when we grow as a person," she said. "It's a huge accomplishment to say that you didn't give up." The Stormy 100 in Squamish was a relatively small ultra marathon. But Ross says she is gearing up for a big year next year when she hopes to tackle some of the larger and more popular ultras, held in the United States. And it's more than likely that when they do enter another long endurance race, they will do it together. "I'm comfortable with how Shirlee runs and how positive she stays," said Page. "I think we're getting smarter at it but I don't know if we're getting faster." Ross also wants to see the partnership continue. "Janice has a real steel will, there is something about it that helps me get through the race," she said. kparnell@kelownacapnews.com

© Copyright 2007 Kelowna Capital News

 

Jul 22 2007 Crockett does Knee Knacker under 7 hours

Sean Connor/Capital News Dan Crockett set a new record in the men's 60-plus division at the Knee Knackering North Shore 50-kilomtere Trail Run last weekend. By Bobbi-Sue Menard capital news contribut For his 60th birthday, Dan Crockett decided to take on the gnarliest 30-mile trail run in Canada. Last Sunday, Crockett shaved 20 minutes off his age group record for a finishing time of six hours, 41 minutes in the 2007 edition of the Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run. Crockett feels he just completed his best race yet. The annual ultra marathon is considered one of the top 25 runs in North America for difficulty. "You have to maintain focus the entire way," said Crockett. "It's rooty, rocky and bumpy. There was snow on the trail this year. It was real difficult from start to finish." The Knee Knacker rises straight up Black Mountain at the start, and it is grueling. Every year there are competitors who do not finish under the 10 hour cutoff. This year's event was held in sweltering, humid 28 C coastal heat. "I was drenched with sweat," said Crockett. "It was a different heat than we get here in the Okanagan." Crockett started running long distance races 10 years ago at the age of 50. He runs primarily long trail distances having now run 15 ultra marathons and 15 road marathons. His races have ranged anywhere from 5k to 100 miles. "I find that I am better at the longer distances: 50K or longer seems better to me," explained Crockett. Ultra-marathons require an entirely different strategy than traditional distance road marathons. "This is different," said Crockett. "You can't just show up and run. This takes planning, the clothes, the right equipment. If you do it right it all comes together." His strategy includes walking early in the race, drinking bottle after bottle of water, and eating power bars and gels, even peanut butter and banana sandwiches, "You've gotta be eating and drinking the whole time or you won't finish," said Crockett. Crockett loves the ultra-marathon. "I don't like running roads. Regular marathons are my nemesis. They hurt worse, there is no pleasure in them for me, just the pleasure of finishing." Twice a week Crockett heads out to train for what he really enjoys. "My pleasure for the week is my trail run. It is my get away, my stress release." In Crockett's 10-year racing career, he has run the Knee Knacker four times. "I had not run the race since 2000. When I hit 60, I thought I should do it again. I saw the record for the age group and thought I could do better than that." This year was the race of Crockett's career. "I usually don't run so smart. I was focused and disciplined and that counts a whole lot." Crockett feels he ran a conservative race, and finished feeling great and knowing he had the record in the bag. Crockett doesn't rule out running the Knee Knacker again, "I still think I can run faster. I think I have my best running still ahead of me. I am still learning." Two other Kelowna athletes completed the Knee Knacker run last weekend. In other results: Margaret Scott finished seventh in the women's 50 to 59 age group in 9:04:24, while Shannon Wilford was 18th in the women's 40 to 49 division in 9:08:39.