The rain kept the numbers down, but the 12 th annual Whistler Valley Trail Run still managed to attract 106 runners in the 10K and 5K categories. The first ever Teddy Bear Trot around the village after the race also managed to attract a good crowd of kids under the age of 10.
According to organizer Paul Vacirca of Nike @ Whistler, the event raised $3,000 for the Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation, which will use the money to fund children’s charities.
"All of that money came from registration and the sale of T-shirts," said Vacirca. "Our costs (T-shirts, printing, permits and the rental of the GLC) are about $1,600, but I figure that’s my expense as the manager of Nike @ Whistler. Thanks to Whistler-Blackcomb, I’m happy to say that all of the money from registration and all of the T-shirt sales go to charity.
"All the prizes were donated, and we had some great volunteers – it’s pretty special to be able to tell people that every cent from their registration and T-shirts are going to help kids."
The event was also well-supported by the community, with the Resort Municipality of Whistler supplying cones, permits, race volunteers and the Valley Trail. Whistler-Blackcomb provided T-shirts, food and prizes, and Zeuski’s, Thai One On, Residence Inn, and Home Hardware chipped in prizes as well.
In the 10 kilometre race, North Vancouver’s Brian Torrance set a blistering pace, completing the lap around Lost Lake and the Whistler Golf Course in just 32 minutes, 55.44 seconds. That’s an average pace of 3:17 for each kilometre.
Torrance, who was racing in the men’s 20 to 29 group, recently graduated from the University of Alberta, where he ran for the cross-country team.
Ian Goard finished a close second, coming in at 34:46.87, two minutes and 20 seconds faster than the previous year.
Third place overall went to Paul Nicholas in 37:07.39. Like Goard, he was racing in the men’s 30 to 39 category.
Tracey Pope was the top woman, racing in the 30 to 39 age group. Her time of 40:06.58 placed her 13 th overall.
She was followed by Val Burke in 41:26.74 in the same division, and third overall went to Lisa Helmer is 43:14.74 in the women’s 20 to 29 group.
Results:
Men’s 10K 19 and Under
1. Daniel McDuff, 39:14.92
2. Scott Waldhovd, 45:53.58
3. Robert Laird, 46:04.89
Men’s 10K 20 to 29
1. Brian Torrance, 32:55.44
2. Nivs Robinson, 39:31.35
3. Duncan Munro, 42:58.04
Men’s 10K 30 to 39
1. Ian Goard, 34:46.87
2. Paul Nicholas, 37:07.39
3. John Davies, 37:25.86
Men’s 10K 40 to 49
1. Daniel Havens, 38:22.69
2. Mick Petfield, 21:36.00
3. Walter Walloram, 41:32.51
Men’s 10K 50 and Over
1. Cam McCullough, 43.20.05
2. Jannie Grobler, 46:52.85
3. Brian Walhovd, 47.17.72
Women’s 10K 19 and Under
1. Claire Daniels, 45:09.92
2. Maria Shallard, 48:40.83
Women’s 10K 20 to 29
1. Lisa Helmer, 43:14.74
2. Sue Belyea, 43:53.83
3. Orsa Horvaith, 45:02.76
Women’s 10K 30 to 39
1. Tracey Pope, 40:06:58
2. Val Burke, 41:26.74
3. Cowen Kennedy, 43:23.47
Women’s 10K 40 to 49
1. Heather Hall, 48:08.28
2. Sylvie O’Keefe, 50:01.87
3. Pamela Halverson, 52:12.74
Women 10K 50 and Over
1. Jinny Ladner, 58:28.36
2. Jane Clifford, 58:31.67
3. Maria Agnes Shallard, 1:18:36.00
5K 19 and Under
1. Malcolm Coeddes, 21:50.94
2. Kai Riess, 21:53.50
3. Max Horner, 25:32.76
5K 20 to 39
1. Vincent Marquis, 18:43.36
2. Justin Bagley, 18:47.56
3. Mike Hamelin, 18:55.73
5K 40 and Over
1. Bob Deeks, 19:38.40
2. Char Riess, 24:44:67
3. Katie Ferge, 30:29.18
