Christopher Kelsall, Athletics Illustrated

The defending champions of the Harrier’s Pioneer 8k road race, Victoria’s Geoff Martinson and Vancouver’s Natasha Wodak were all set to defend their 2013 titles on Sunday, January 12th however; two athletes had other plans. Vancouver’s Rob Watson and Erin Burrett of Nanaimo showed up to challenge for the win. Under mild temperatures with a light breeze, 625 runners took in the annual first race of the new year, as well as the first race of both the Frontrunners Island Race Series and the BC Timex Race Series. The Pioneer 8k is also the provincial road championships for the distance. Read more