After coming close more than once before, Shaun Stephens-Whale broke through for the win in Whistler on Saturday, Aug. 23, capturing a first-place finish on the long-distance course of the 5 Peaks Trail Running Series stop in the resort.
Stephens-Whale, who was the runner-up in both 2011 and 2012, finished the 10.6-kilometre Enduro course set in the Blackcomb alpine in a time of 56 minutes, 16 seconds.
The Victoria runner was comfortably ahead of second-place finisher Silas Wiefelspuett (59:10), while Whistler's own Marian Treger ran to the bronze medal at 1:02:09.
Vancouver's Chessa Adsit-Morris was the top woman on the Enduro course Saturday, getting to the finish line sixth overall at 1:03:18. Whistler resident Laura Bestow was the next-fastest female, clocking in at 1:09:37, while Squamish's Jessi Stensland placed third.
In some other impressive performances from local runners, Jake Breuer (1:06:41) finished eighth overall, Louise Oliver (1:17:17) was the fifth-fastest woman and topped her 40-49 age group, Daryl West (1:18:29) placed just outside the men's top 30, while Jordan Lenham (1:19:28), M.J. Poisson (1:19:46) and Karen Ellott (1:20:17) all finished among the top 50 overall.
Sea to Sky runners featured even more prominently among the top finishers on the Sport course, which measured 6.6 km.
Four of the top five overall were competing close to home, as Whistler's Vincent Pagot (34:31) posted the winning time and fellow resort resident Benat Larrasquet (39:33) was the runner-up. Squamish's Hunter Sones (39:47) hit the podium in third place, while Whistler's Quentin Emeriau finished fifth (40:11).
Mill Bay youngster Katie Farley not only won the girls' under-15 group, she was also the top female runner overall at 42:39. Therese Fricke (43:20) and Linda Dix-Cooper (44:01) rounded out the women's overall podium.
Nina Arnold was the quickest local woman on the Sport course, finishing eighth among female competitors at 46:14. Jennifer Demard (47:49) also landed in the women's top 10.
Visit www.5peaks.com to view full results.
LOCALS BREEZE THROUGH SEAWHEEZE
The SeaWheeze Half Marathon welcomed several Whistler-area runners among the 8,000-plus participants in the Vancouver race held Saturday, Aug. 23.
Lyndsey Zigar earned the best finish of the local contingent overall, completing her run in one hour, 41 minutes, 20 seconds to finish 128th among all women and in the top 300 overall.
Other Whistler runners who broke the two-hour mark included Kwang Chen (1:48:44), Amy Billinghurst (1:50:03), Nadine Boudreau-Beland (1:55:49), Catherine Aird (1:57:21) and Aimee Decaigny (1:57:33).
Many other locals posted impressive finishes among the top half of the field — Jason Mastalir finished in 2:01:41, Pemberton's Jasmine De Serres finished in 2:03:41, Lindsay Deane clocked in at 2:05:42 to finish two seconds ahead of fellow Whistler runner Nicole Grant, and Christa Vandeberg notched a finish time of 2:09:11.
Visit www.seawheeze.com to access full results.
MEET THE CANUCKS MASCOT
Fin, mascot of the Vancouver Canucks, will be making a stop at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler on Friday, Aug. 29, planning to hit some balls on the golf course before heading to the Mallard Lounge to play garden games with kids. All are welcome; the fun gets underway at 5 p.m.
Fin is perhaps scouting out the resort before the Canucks arrive in Whistler to open training camp for the 2014-15 NHL season, as they'll be skating at Meadow Park Sports Centre from Sept. 19 to 22.
SPROATT TRAIL NEEDS HELP
Construction on the Sproatt Alpine Trail is making good progress, but it could take even more steps toward completion with the help of a few good volunteers over the coming weeks.
WORCA's next scheduled trail day for the future multi-use route is on Saturday, Aug. 30. Anyone looking to help out can meet up with the group at 9 a.m. in Function Junction. Contact Dan Raymond at 604-967-3933 for more details. After Saturday, another day of work on the alpine trail will happen on Sept. 13.
Individuals wishing to volunteer their time that are unavailable for the trail days can contact Raymond for info on how to help on other days as well.
SIGN UP AT STRUT YOUR STUFF
Parents will have the opportunity to sign up their children for fall and winter activities during the return of Strut Your Stuff, happening next Thursday, Sept. 4.
The annual gathering, which runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at Myrtle Philip Community School, allows attendees the chance to register for programming and to speak with representatives from community groups and Resort Municipality of Whistler recreation staff. As well, small sports equipment and clothing can be purchased or traded, and a concession stand will be available.
Strut Your Stuff is organized by KidSport Whistler and the RMOW's Corporate and Community Services Department, with support from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation.
KidSport provides aid for children who wish to get involved with organized sports, but are facing financial obstacles. Attendees at Strut Your Stuff can learn more about the initiative, which has been operating in Whistler for 18 years, or apply for assistance through the program.
Visit www.kidsportcanada.ca/british-columbia/whistler/ to learn more about KidSport.
