More than 160 competitors turned out for the 10 th Annual Delta Whistler Resort Valley Trail Run on May 27. The majority of the competitors were local, but there were runners from as far away as Ireland.
In the 5K, Kellie Stoffell of Auburn, Washington, ran uncontested in the 13 to 17 category, but posted the eighth fastest time of the day at 20 minutes 23 seconds.
In the combined 18 to 39 category, Jared Ray of the U.S. was the top male with a time of 18:14.
Olympic gold medalist Jean Luc Brassard, who is in Whistler with the freestyle moguls team for a two-week training session, was second in the category and third overall with a time of 19:03. Given the choice between the beep test and running the 5K for a fitness assessment, the freestyle athletes chose the Valley Trail.
Derek Salmon of Whistler was third in the 18-39 category and fourth overall in 19:11. Ryan Johnson, another freestyler was fourth and fifth overall in 19:23, and local David Higgins was fifth and sixth overall in 20:12.
Freestyler Tami Bradley of Vancouver and Whistler was the top female in the category, crossing the line in 20:24.
Whistler’s Andrea Carter was next in 21:37, while locals Jackie Fulton and Brandi Higgins finished third and fourth with times of 22:45 and 24:11. Rachel Belliveau, another freestyler, was fifth in 25:19.
In the Over 40 category, Brenda Baker of Whistler finished first in the category and second overall with a time of 18:17. Shelly Donald was second fastest in the category in 23:30. Verna MacDonald was third in 24:41, Lois Lemieux of Brackendale was fourth in 25:07, and local Michelle Crowe was fifth in 25:39.
In the 10K races, Vancouver’s Michael Frew ran alone in the Male 17 and Under category and placed 79 th overall with a time of 53:59.
In the Male 25 to 34 race, Gord Addison of Squamish finished first in the category and second overall with a time of 35:00. Scott Young of Pemberton was second in 35:37, and locals Ian Goard, Paul Nicholas and Neil Mark were third, fourth and fifth with times of 36:11, 37:05, and 37:51.
In the 35 to 44 race, John Davies of Pemberton was first in the category and first overall with a time of 33:13. Doug Mulligan of Halfmoon Bay, was second and third in 35:25, Keenan Cannady was third and fifth in 35:51, Mark Homby was fourth in 37:57, and Rich Rawling was fifth in 39:56.
In the 45 to 54 race, David Clark of Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, was first in 37:23. The Pique’s own John Blok was second in 37:42, and Whistler’s Mike Quinn was third in 46:27. Ernst Wallgram and Len Giroday were fourth and fifth.
In the 55 and Over category, local Cam McCullough was first in 41:49. Vancouver’s John Christie was second in 45:50, and Bryan Walhovd of Whistler was third. Fourth and fifth went to Dennis Ray and David Connell.
In the women’s 10K Pemberton’s Lisa Helmer was first in the 18 to 24 Category in 46:48. Locals Tiffany Tremblay and Alyssa Wilson were second and third in 48:00 and 52:06. Fourth and fifth went to Tamara Cohen and Kate Pawlett, both of Whistler.
In the 25 to 34 race, Sheila Mullins of Vancouver was first in the category and 12 th overall with a time of 39:16. Pemberton’s Tracey Pope was second in 40:22, and local Louise McCorquoda was third in 41:01. Heather McCullough of North Vancouver and Whistler’s Christine Suter were fourth and fifth out of nearly 30 competitors.
Whistler’s Astrid Cameron won the 35 to 44 age group with a time of 41:56, followed by locals Jas Rai in 48:49 and Monique Davidson in 49:53. Fourth and fifth went to local Jacquie Reck and Pemberton’s Grace Chadsey.
In the 45 to 54 age group, the top five spots belonged to Patty Ritchie of Pemberton in 48:42, Coco Lonzon of Squamish in 52:33, and locals Jill Jacques in 56:26, Marilyn McIvor in 58:38, and Jane Clifford in 58:38.
In the 55 and Over group, Whistler marathon and ultramarathon champion Mae Palm was first in 47:55. Local Wendy Goodbrand was right on her heels in 47:55.
Proceeds from the Valley Trail Run went towards the Whistler Food Bank and the local Youth Action Team.
