Victoria might not be looking its best for the 30th anniversary of the Times Colonist 10K. But the regional wastewater-facility construction along the Dallas Road portion of the route won’t affect the race, and the bike lane construction along Wharf Street will only slightly, said organizers on Friday.
“The CRD, City of Victoria and Windley Contracting have been very co-operative in making sure Dallas Road is ready to go Sunday,” said Chris Siver, president of RunSport, which organizes several running events in the region, including the Times Colonist 10K.
“They have promised a higher-level cleanup along Dallas Road this weekend and all lanes should be open for use in the race on nice pavement. Nobody will be rolling their ankle on something that shouldn’t be there.”
Wharf Street, however, will not be available this year for the normal turn up Johnson Street. But all that means, said Siver, is that the runners and walkers will keep going up Government Street and will turn up Yates Street instead of Johnson.
“This event is a community treasure and helps make Victoria one of the running, walking and overall athletic capitals of Canada,” said Siver.
The annual race, meanwhile, is again nudging to its old plateau of five figures.
“We are creeping up to 10,000 registrants, which will be the highest total in three years,” said race director Trish Fougner.
“Sunshine always helps and we are hoping for a surge in late registrations right up to the deadline [today to 6 p.m. at the race Expo at Uptown].”
Among the throng will be Colin Fewer of Newfoundland, who has travelled from rock to rock to take part.
“I’ve come Island to Island,” he said.
“But it’s worth it because this is one of the premier 10K races in Canada. I’ve done the [Vancouver] Sun Run the past two years but wanted to do Victoria again, which I haven’t done in eight years.”
During that last visit to the Times Colonist 10K, Fewer clocked 30 minutes, 34 seconds, which was just off his personal best of 30:27. With those kinds of times, the 41-year-old PE teacher is definitely a threat to take the men’s masters title on Sunday.
Fewer races to win — in his prime he represented Canada in the world cross-country championships — but it isn’t the be-all and end-all for him anymore.
“Running is a personal journey. It’s a big part of my life and creates balance in my life,” he said.
“But the greatest competition is within yourself.”
Among the other elites is returning men’s champion Haron Sirma of Kenya with a personal best time of 28:30.
“I’m happy to be back,” said Sirma.
About Kenya’s greatness in running, Sirma added: “We grow up running at high altitude and proudly looking up at our past Olympic and world champions.”
Haron will be pushed by fellow-Kenyan Daniel Kipkoech, a two-time past winner of the Times Colonist 10K and five-time winner of the Victoria GoodLife Fitness marathon.
Also challenging will be Matthew Travaglini of Calgary, who was fourth two weeks ago in the massive Sun Run.
The women’s side will be led by Olympian Malindi Elmore of Kelowna, previous-champion Dayna Pidhoresky of Vancouver and Sarah Inglis of Great Britain but based in Vancouver, who has run 32:30 this year.
“I think the women’s race record [the 32:56 set by Karolina Jarzynska of Poland in 2011] is in serious jeopardy,” said former Canadian international Ulla Hansen, five-time winner of the Times Colonist 10K, and now elite athlete manager for the race.
“It is going to cost us money but we will be happy to hand it out.”
