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Just another strong Whistler showing

Sports Briefs: Local riders earn high finishes in final Test of Metal series race
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hawaii-bound Whistler's John Blok will head to the Xterra World Championships in Hawaii after a strong finish in the off-road triathlon. photo submitted

Several Sea to Sky riders were among the top finishers at Just Another Bike Race (JABR) on Saturday, Aug. 16, the final race of the Test of Metal cross-country series in Squamish.

Squamish's Eric Goodwin was the quickest corridor racer of all, finishing fourth overall at three hours, four minutes, six seconds, which was a little less than seven minutes behind the winning time set by 18-year-old Washington rider Nolan Brady.

Whistler's Michael Robinson also landed in the top five, finishing just three seconds behind Goodwin.

Mahon Lamont (sixth), Tony Routley (ninth) and Jean-Sebastien Lareau (10th) all finished among the top 10 overall out of approximately 150 competitors. Whistler's Quentin Emeriau, in 14th place, won his 20-29 age group, and fellow resort resident Henric Meldgard finished atop the men's 60-plus category.

Squamish's Zoe Dawson was the overall women's winner, finishing her race in 3:33:19 to be more than 30 minutes ahead of the field. Squamish's Sarah Greenwood was the fourth-fastest female and the top finisher in the 30-39 age group.

ELSON, MAGNUS TOP SQUAMISH 50

Nick Elson and Kim Magnus were the winners of the Squamish 50 Trail Running Festival's main event over the weekend, capturing the men's and women's titles in the 50-mile race held Saturday, Aug. 16. Elson topped the men's race at 7:30:12, while Magnus beat the women's field with a time of 9:14:00.

In the following day's 50-kilometre event, Adam Campbell was the top men's finisher at 4:55:08, and Ellie Greenwood was the first woman to the line in 5:20:39.

A few dozen brave runners completed both distances to record combined times in the 50/50 race. Michael Wardian (13:45:10) was the No. 1 men's finisher and Kathy McKay (16:56:36) was the fastest female.

Finally, the 23-km race on Aug. 17 saw Mario Mendoza notch the quickest time at 1:45:28, and Anne-Marie Madden as the fastest woman at 2:04:48. See www.squamish50.com for full details.

BLOK EARNS BERTH AT XTERRA WORLDS

Whistler's John Blok qualified for the 2014 Xterra World Championships over the weekend with a great performance in the off-road triathlon series' stop at Alberta's Canmore Nordic Centre on Sunday, Aug. 17.

Blok finished second in his 60-64 age group, and 35th overall, on the race's full-distance course, which sees competitors swim 1.5 km, bike 22 km and run 10 km. He completed the race in 3:25:01, including a category-best time of 58:43 on the run.

The Xterra World Championships take place Oct. 26 in Hawaii.

NEW FONDO EVENT

The RBC GranFondo Whistler has introduced a new Pursuit Challenge sprint competition that will take place on Blackcomb Way the day after the main event on Sept. 6.

Competitors will race on a 900-metre loop course in elimination heats until a winner is determined. All ages are welcome and all proceeds will go to the Whistler Cycling Club. Visit www.rbcgranfondowhistler.com for more info.

ROUTLEY OUT

Whistler's Will Routley was scheduled to return to racing with his Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies teammates this week at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado, but he ended up withdrawing from the multi-stage race due to illness. He'll now prepare to race with the team at next month's Tour of Alberta.

LOCAL FUNDRAISING FOR WORLDS

Whistler's Corey MacKinnon has qualified for next month's World Martial Arts Games, and is turning to the community to help him cover some of the costs.

Prior to the event, which runs Sept. 3 to 7 in Richmond, MacKinnon will host a Creekbread fundraiser on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 5 to 9 p.m. MacKinnon is also seeking donations for silent auction prizes at the fundraiser. Call 604-966-4810 for info.