Race Information: Victoria Marathon

As Lenore and I arrived at Victoria, BC, on October 7, 2000, the day before the Royal Victoria Marathon, I felt apprehension. While I love everything about Victoria and its marathon, the clear, sunny weather with 70 degree temperatures on that Saturday did not bode well for the run to come. However, on race morning the running conditions were ideal. There were overcast skies and air temperatures in the 50’s. Surely, the clouds would soon burn off, and cold natured runners such as I would be working hard for a slow time. I was wrong. The cloud cover and cool temperatures persisted, and I had a good run.

I had hoped to run a sub 3:50 Boston Marathon qualifying time so that I could run in Boston in 2002 instead of 2001. After 10K it appeared that a finishing time in the 3:55-4:00 range was more realistic. I thought I was running well but with most road markers being in kilometers, it’s not easy to judge one’s running progress. Three miles from the finish, I felt that I could reach my primary goal. I pressed the last few miles and finished in 3:46:17 (8:38), 742 of 2386 participants and first of 4 in the 70+M division. It was my most satisfying marathon this year!

The race was won by Colin Dignum, 30, of North Vancouver, BC, who ran a 2:26:52 (5:36.) He was followed by John McCrank, 25+, of Vancouver, BC, (2:32:22) and David Beaulay, 30+ (2:36:59.) The women’s race was won for the 6th consecutive year by Cindy Rhodes, 40+, of Kelowna, BC, in a good time of 2:54:22. In second and third were Stephanie Owen, 35+, of North Vancouver, BC, (2:57:17) and Tina-Louise Harris, 30+ of Mission, BC (3:01:50.)

There were a few runners on hand whom I knew. They are listed below:

3:11:47  Leland Wakelin, 40+, White Rock, BC
3:19:15  Greg Judge, 50+, Des Moines, WA
3:30:44  Mel Preedy, 67, 1st 65-69M, Ravensdale, WA
3:33:12  Ken Bonner, 55+, Victoria, BC
3:42:23  Mike Dutton, 30, Everett, WA
3:46:17  Bob Dolphin, 71, 1st 70+M, Renton, WA
4:08:56  Andrew Dunn, 40+, Seattle, WA
4:36:28  Richard Andrews, 55+, Mukilteo, WA
4:52:32  John Sullivan, 71, 2nd 70+M, Rockport, WA
5:08:47  Catherine Grunenfelder, 45+, Olympia, WA
5:08:47  Phyllis Sund, 40+, Tumwater, WA
5:21:08  Clive Heatherington, 65+

Due to an injury, our friend Eb Engelman, 50+, of Salem, OR, briskly walked the course.

Thanks to Rob Reid, his staff, and volunteers for putting on a well-organized marathon. We enjoyed the Saturday night pre-race dinner and speakers and the post-marathon awards ceremony.

Local artist, Richard Hunt, prepared a Native American design of the moon and two ravens which adorned the marathon sweatshirt and finisher’s medal. He patiently autographed sweatshirts for many of the marathoners. Thanks to Sandra Hunt for tracing and locating my entry form!

Fringe benefits of the post-marathon ferry ride back to the mainland were the conversations generated by our Royal Victoria Marathon sweatshirts that we wore proudly. Anne Yutrzenka of Anchorage, AK, had run her second marathon at Victoria and was pleased with her PR 4:18:20. Her description of her first marathon at Anchorage was very appealing. She encouraged us to stay with her and her husband when we go north for the Anchorage Marathon. We hope to do that within the next few years.

Valerie Roy of Edmonton, Alberta, was euphoric about running her first marathon in 4:24:40. She trained as a member of the Running Room Running Club (Edmonton Chapter of 11 Canadian cities.) She was noncommittal about running a second marathon….but time heals. Her husband Dale ran the 8K at the Victoria Festival of Running and enjoyed the race.

We look forward to returning to Victoria again next year. Our hotel reservations have already been made!!

Written by Bob Dolphin