Rachel Cliff was the star on an un-summer-like morning as athletes from across BC and beyond descended on Stanley Park for the BC 10K Championship held in conjunction with the Summerfast 10K, hosted by the Vancouver Falcons. The event was also the final race in the 2014 Timex BC Road Running Series, and race 9 in the Lower Mainland Road Race Series.
Cliff shattered the course record set last year by Natasha Wodak by over a minute, placing 8thoverall in 33:58, to also take the BC Championship title. Lindsay Carson from Whitehorse was also under the old record in 34:47. Kimberley Doerksen, from the host club took 3rd in 35:17. Sabrina Wilkie completed the 10K Championship podium in 35:42, reversing positions from the 5K Championship with Catherine Watkins who finished close behind in 35:59 to take top master and just miss her masters course record.
The men’s race was a repeat of 2013, with Kelly Wiebe returning from injury to successfully defend his Summerfast title, and Theo Hunt again taking the runner-up spot. Wiebe was 20 seconds slower this year, but was still a comfortable winner in 30:17. Hunt had the consolation of taking the BC Championship in 31:28, as Wiebe represents his native Saskatchewan. Adam Byles chased hard for third place in 31:44. Fourth place was another Yukoner in Logan Roots (32:42), so the Championship positions were completed by Nic Browne in 32:53.
Mark Bennett again showed no sign of slowing down, bettering all other masters as well as most younger runners, placing 6th overall in 33:32 at age 53, the top age-graded performance of the day.
Championship results can be found here, with overall race results here.
Following the race and Championship awards, winners of the 2014 Timex BC Road Running Serieswere announced.
Championship winners:
