University of Victoria runners Ben Weir and Alison Hooper were the first overall menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 finishers in SundayB次元官网网址檚 Bazan Bay 5K race in Sidney.
A field of around 519 people took part in the event, that saw cool temperatures, but no rain, and was described as very good conditions for the mostly flat, quick course along Lochside Drive. The race is the final event in the Island Race Series 2018 calendar and was followed by a season-end awards ceremony at the Mary Winspear Centre.
Weir, who said he placed second in the event two years ago, says the course is beautiful.
B次元官网网址淚 love the races here. ItB次元官网网址檚 nice and close to home. We had a pretty good crowd of guys out there,B次元官网网址� he said, adding he was hoping to win the race.
B次元官网网址淲e were all pushing each other, trying to go a little faster.B次元官网网址�
He said Josh Kozelj, who won last yearB次元官网网址檚 Bazan Bay race in 15:17, pushed him a lot over the course of the event.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檇 respond real well, and try to pull away from me a little bit.B次元官网网址�
Kozelj placed second overall, followed by another UVic runner in third, Derrick Evans.
The 5K and 10K racer for UVic is training now for the Times Colonist 10K and then heB次元官网网址檚 on to PortlandB次元官网网址檚 Twilight track event, racing in the 5,000 metre run.
Hooper (F25-29) said this was her fifth time on the course and her second win in as many years.
B次元官网网址淭his is the best weather weB次元官网网址檝e ever had. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 windy, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 raining. The last bit felt a little harder than normal, but that was just where I was at today.B次元官网网址�
Her goal was to be under 16:30, and just missed her goal, finishing at 16:47. She was the first female finisher in the 2017 race in a time of 17:01.
Following Hooper in second place overall among the women was Chloe Hegland (UVic) and in third place was Catrin Jones (F35-39).
Hooper, a UVic cross country runner and former professional triathlete, said the course felt smooth and fast, but said she prefers the mud, grass and hills of cross country. SheB次元官网网址檚 training now for national-level racing.
Her next race will be the Sun Run for training, then race in the TC 10K and then will join Weir down in Portland later this year.
editor@peninsulanewsreview.com
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