The 2001 Series concluded with three smaller-sized events but very important ones for determining final point scores, as those without the required number of qualifying races were eliminated from the rankings going into the final race.
Squamish Days 10K – August 5th
Organizers were worried the night before the event with only 50 competitors pre-registered, but race day brought a crowd of 150 late entrants to bring the total up to the usual level. (This seems to be a trend this year — waiting until race day to register. It makes more money for the event with late fees, but causes much worry and headaches over how much food and supplies to order! Perhaps with some events offering quick and easy on-line entry, participants are getting lazy about the “old-fashioned” mail-in forms and just showing up on race day with cash in hand.)
The race for first overall was closely contested among two Surrey athletes originally from Kenya, Enock Keter and Philip Metto, and Jim Finlayson of Victoria, with only 9 seconds separating first from third. Keter, also leading the 19 & Under contingency, got there first in 30:16 while Metto edged out Finlayson, 30:23 to 30:25.
On the women’s side, Alison Rendell, still on a high from her win at Summerfast, kept the momentum going with an even faster 10k clocking to best the women’s field in 36:13 and place 18th overall. Running a solid 37:38 for second was Nurten Tasdemir, with Lisa Hamelin in a bit of a slump managing 38:44 for third.
Tenth through twelfth places overall were claimed by the top three masters men, led by Mike Moon in 34:26. Half a minute back were Sean Wolfe and Guy Smith respectively, just two seconds apart at the line. Masters women were led by Lori Spence in 40:09, followed by sisters Astrid and Aenea Cameron in 40:38 and 41:33. As many will recall, Astrid was the local PowerBar rep in years past; she now owns a retail food outlet in Whistler.
First woman under 20 was Junko Murakami in 46:35, with Ken Williams taking second in the men’s 19&U after race winner Enock Keter.
Full results can be found at Race Headquarters.
Run for the Ferry 10k – August 25th
An earlier start time this year made for more comfortable temperatures during the race, less traffic, and more time to enjoy the pancake breakfast before taking in Bowfest, the island’s annual summer festival. Some construction along the course resulted in a better finish line location than previously, moving it away from the final downhill section to give room for a decent finishing sprint.
The starting line was filled with many familiar Series faces, all showing up to grab some points and bring the total races up to qualifying level if necessary. Colin Dignum, Norm Tinkham and Bertrand Plouvier started together but Dignum managed to pull away over the hilly 10k course to finish first with a wide margin in 32:29. Tinkham appeared at the finish line 37 seconds later and Plouvier showed up another 20 seconds behind him.
Master and Series leader Nancy Tinari returned to defend her overall title from last year, winning easily in an impressive 36:31, good for 8th overall. Moving into second spot was another master, Leslie Black, squeaking under the 40 minute mark by one second. Chasing her across the lagoon bridge was Rene McKibbin in 40:03, while not far behind, Michele Carr took third masters female spot in 40:24.
Jim Swadling, in the 50-59 age group, blasted away the rest of the masters men’s field with 7th place overall and a 36:21 finish time. In ninth overall and 37:07 was Guy Smith, while Roger Brownsey rounded out the top three in 40:06.
A young local ran an excellent 39:26 to win the Junior men’s division — Colin Kerr from Bowen Island. Ken Williams stacked up more Series points with a second place in this category in 41:52. Junior woman Colleen Mahoney took top spot with a 53:51.
Full results are at Race Headquarters.
Running Room Labour Day 8k – September 2
This event unfortunately suffered from some confusion regarding the date of the race. After more than twenty years of being on the Labour Day Monday, organizers were forced by the Richmond RCMP to change it to the Sunday. Though the new date was highlighted on this website and listed correctly in the Calendar of Events, a late-produced entry form and incorrect listing on the Kajaks website resulted in many folks (most non-Series competitors) showing up a day too late for the start.
But despite a small field, some solid results were produced and a high percentage of Series award winners were present to score their final points for the year and receive their recognition.
Colin Dignum, having already locked down the overall Series win, played “Mr. Mom” so his wife Tracy could race, leaving Bertrand Plouvier to lead the field on his own, which he did in 25:32. Plouvier needed this race to qualify for awards — and move into third place overall in the final rankings. Next to appear was Luis Estrada in 25:57, while Junior steeplechaser Chris Winter snuck in that qualifying fifth race to take third in 26:18 and first in the Series 19&U division.
Taking top spot among the women and 6th among the men was national 1500m team member Leah Pells, “taking it easy and enjoying herself” after the Worlds in Edmonton — in a speedy 27:28. Just out for a Sunday jog… Second woman and second in the overall Series ranking was Nurten Tasdemir in 30:01, with Leslie Black close behind in 30:15, also matching her overall Series position.
Top masters on the men’s side were Mike Moon and Guy Smith, with just five seconds separating them (28:20 to 28:25), with Nick Stark taking third in 29:02. Black was the first female master, while Lori Spence and Lois Klingbeil rounded out up the top three.
First junior woman was Amanda Hall with an even 34:00 clocking, securing her lead in the final Series age group scores.
Full race results at Race Headquarters.
