Running: Canada's Second-Largest 10km establishes new attendance record

Monday, April 30, 2007 - 02:42 PM

10,000 race for fun and fitness at TC 10K

The sun broke through the clouds in time for the 18th running of the Times Colonist 10K Sunday morning, but it hardly mattered. The smiling faces of nearly 10,000 participants were more than enough to light up the day.

A record number of 10,049 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes registered for the race, and approximately 8,500 finished the course winding around Beacon Hill Park, Dallas Road and the Inner Harbour to the finish line in front of the legislature. Nearly 1,000 youngsters took part in the 1.5K Thrifty Foods Kids Fun Run.

Ryan Hayden of Richmond, making his TC 10K debut, was the overall winner, in a time of 30:41, and Victorias Lucy Smith, for the sixth time in 10 years, was the top woman, 23rd overall, in 34:24. The winners each earned $1,200 from the prize money pot of $10,900.

Like Smith, well seasoned to the gusty winds along the Dallas Road waterfront, most of the top finishers were from Victoria, including David Jackson, who was second in 31:06, Jim Finlayson, third in 31:21, and marathon man Bruce Deacon, who, breaking the masters record, was fourth in 31:31. On the womens side, Victorias Marilyn Arsenault was second in 36:15, Kristina Rody of Whistler, third in 36:23, and Carolyn Murray of Victoria, fourth in 36:30.

Courtenays Simon Harrington and Jessica Des Mazes of Vancouver were the mens and womens winners of the wheelchair division, while 12-year-old Josh Brown, a Grade 6 student at Royal Oak, and Shayna Hemsworth, 11, a student at Keating Elementary, were the fastest pair in the Kids Run.

Wearing numbered bibs, with plastic chips attached to their shoes to set off the computerized timing system, the tremendous mob of people arrived from all directions to line up elbow to elbow under colour-coded balloon arches at the start line. Hayden and Smith, No. 1 and No. 2 stood at the centre of the elite athletes at the front of the throng, and by the time Bruce Springsteens Glory Days pounded over the loudspeakers, they were heading for the finish line.

Hayden, running in his first TC 10K, only arrived in Victoria late Saturday night, and hadnt had a chance to scout out the course, but he adapted quickly.

It was really, really windy, and the wind made it really tough, said Hayden, who is training with the goal of making the Canadian Olympic marathon team in Beijing. The 25-year-old decided to pick up the pace after a slow beginning. After the first K, I just hammered. I went really hard, and built up a big lead. Hayden came third in the recent Vancouver Sun Run, but preferred both the placing and the fans in Victoria.

The whole time they were cheering for us, and keeping us all motivated and pumped up.

That emotional lift of the crowd, the cheering and the community are the reasons Smith keeps coming back for more, smiling all the while. Despite partying in celebration of her 40th birthday on Friday, Smith was able to create the smooth efficient style that battled the massive head wind, and took her to victory.

Ive been running for so long, I know every single step I have to do to perform well on race day, said Smith, a multi-sport athlete who spent 12 years on the national team. She loves Victoria so much she said she might as well have grown up here, rather than in Nova Scotia. I get really passionate about certain things. For me, I love being able to race in downtown Victoria. I love this community, where so many people are out running and riding on Sunday.

In the wheelchair division, Harrington was just happy it wasnt raining. Although the strong crosswind blew his front wheel around, and caused havoc with steering, it wasnt as bad as when it rains, when the grip slips and water flies off the front wheel.

It was a perfect day for wheeling, Harrington said, although Des Mazes, a track specialist, wasnt sure about that in her second straight TC 10K victory.

It was a beautiful course, but wow, that wind, said Des Mazes, one of two women racing in wheelchairs. The other, Michelle Stilwell of Nanoose, was using the 10K as cross training. The 200-metre world champion, Stilwell is on track to qualify for the Paralympics in Beijing.

From Paralympians and Olympians to people trying to run or walk their way to better health about 2,500 walkers came out for the new ActNow BC walking category the TC 10K is a kaleidoscope of community life, and 700 volunteers made it happen. Tony Ibaraki, the finish line coordinator, has been involved for eight years. Joking he got the job for his loud voice and mean demeanour, he has a contingent of 42, including his curling buddies and 25 students from the Mount Doug leadership program, charged with keeping everyone moving across the finish line.

I like to come and help, he said. From the top athletes to someone partially paralyzed, its quite an inspiration.

The crunch was over by the time Christa Brydle and her daughter Tiffany came through. Christa said she was given a second chance at life a few months ago, and described herself as the quintessential former couch potato. Eleven-year-old Jonny Toombs of Sooke was running in his second 10K, because he likes to challenge himself, and Rilla Andrew, accompanied by her partner Darcy Sampson, figured her baby, which is due May 29, would be back in person next year.

And next year might be bigger yet.

Race director Cathy Noel said the new, less traffic-congested route no longer blocks Douglas Street, and allows the TC 10K room to grow. Already the second largest 10K in Canada, next to the Sun Run, Noel anticipates another 5,000 or 10,000 participants in the future. And for her, the best part will always be the start, the finish, and everything in between.

There are all different shapes and sizes and ages. Its a real community event, she said. Its just a huge celebration. Its not just about being the fastest.

Next year I want everyone to get a medal.