Back in 2005, Vancouver resident Kevin O'Connor was forced to drop out of the 麻豆社国产Days 10-kilometre run.
Flash forward eight years later and O'Connor returned to 麻豆社国产and posted the top time at the race.
It was good out there today, he said at the finish line. I'm in heavy training for the Victoria Marathon and this is sort of training for that.
He said it felt good to triumphantly return and that a lot of his success is due to his work with the Vancouver Falcons Athletic Club. He added that he had a comfortable lead after the first 300 metres and never looked back.
O'Connor's time of 32:40 is the fastest time at the run since 2010. O'Connor edged out Surrey's Drew Nicholson by two minutes and 47 seconds to win top prize. Coming in third was Victoria's Marilyn Arsenault.
Arsenault also made a triumphant return, as she last placed 10th overall back in 2011. She won the women's division in 2011 and captured the crown again in 2013. She improved her time from 2011 by 16 seconds, posting a time in 2013 of 35:50.
It was hot out there today, she said. But this is part of a workout for me today.
Arsenault ran a 45-minute marathon prior to the 10 km race and was planning on doing another 45 minutes directly after.
I'm actually training for the Toronto half-marathon in October, she explained. I felt good today, but I was alone for most of the race. I was pacing myself at the start, but I wanted to run under 36 minutes and I did.
This year's winners of the Slavo Lehockey Memorial Trophy, given to the local runners with the fastest times, were Marko Toijaen for the men and Margreet Dietz for the women. Toijanen placed 10th overall with a time of 38:30, while Dietz completed the course in 41:49 and finished 25th overall and fifth amongst all women.
Other locals with strong showings included: James Newby (12th), Hayden Drygas (18th), Gord Addison (20th), Sean McReanor (27th), Jason Ross (28th) and Caroline Walter (31st).
Legendary 麻豆社国产runner Mae Palm, wearing her Boston Marathon shorts in tribute to those impacted by the bombings at the event earlier this year, returned with a time of 1:04:34 and was the only female to run in the race above the age of 70.
The wheelchair division was won by Tristan Smyth from Maple Ridge with a time of 22:43, while Kris Duncan won the stroller division.
Jake Waymire from San Diego posted the top time in the flashback mile, completing the course in 5:42. He edged out 麻豆社国产runners Aaron McReanor and Teigen Pascual for the win.
For complete results from the event, visit www.sportstats.ca/displayResults.xhtml?racecode=105727.
