With organizers on the verge of cancelling Texada Island’s eighth annual Run The Rock marathon, half marathon and eight-kilometre races due to poor air quality, a last-minute squall led to near perfect running conditions for the event on Sunday, August 26.
“This is the second year we dodged the bullet with smoky conditions,” said race marshall Ken Barton. “The rain on Saturday was enough to settle the dust. Instead, runners experienced overcast and cool conditions that were perfect for running.”
Keith Wakelin from Merville, BC, won the full marathon for the third time, finishing the race in 3:34:48, more than 40 minutes ahead of second place overall and the first-place woman, Vancouver’s Aileen McKeown, who finished with a time of 4:38:56.
Joe Pelletier of Terrace, BC, came first in the half marathon at 1:32.36 and Hennisea Hoy of New Westminster was first woman at 1:37.39.
Powell River’s Noah Bourcier was able to use the excellent running conditions to set a new record in the eight-kilometre race with a time of 29:53. Wilem Sturge of Gillies Bay came second at 40:47 and Katherine Rinehart of Port Moody placed third overall and was the first woman to cross the finish line with a time of 42:34.
Race director Rob McWilliam said he was happy overall with the races, however, he believes ongoing air quality issues during high summer may lead to rescheduling the event in the future.
“While we are pleased that everyone who came had a great day, our numbers were down because of the smoke, and a higher number than usual of those who had registered just didn’t show up because of concerns about the possible conditions,” added McWilliam. “We are going to have to look at moving the event to the spring or fall for future years.”
