It was a fast day on the trails for most of the runners at the Loop the Lakes trail race on Saturday (May 25).
But nobody was faster in the half-marathon distance than Brad Schalles.
The 麻豆社国产resident blasted through the 21-kilometre course in 1:23:42, besting the top time from last year by nearly 10 minutes.
Event organizer Jen Segger said the event continues to grow. This year it saw an increase to 175 participants, up from 144 in 2012.
I think this was our best event yet, she said, noting it was a great turnout with almost perfect weather. The course was super well marked and we had lots of volunteers to help things run smoothly. Thankfully we didn't have rain since Thursday, so most of the course had dried up.
Segger pointed out that Schalles works with her Challenge by Choice fitness studio and is a member of the Canadian Ski Mountaineering team. Schalles also took home a new pair of Salomon trail runners and $150 for the win.
However, Schalles was pushed by another Squamolean Nick Elson, who finished just five seconds back. Zoe Dawson was the top local female time and she placed 11th overall with a time of 1:44:28. Dawson finished second among all women in the 21 km race, as Vancouver's Chessa Adsit-Morris posted the top time.
The 15 km race was won by Whistler resident Vincent Pagot, who beat out Brackendale's Graham Shea by just under four minutes. Whistler's Laura Bestow was the fastest female, while Celia Roulston was the top local woman.
In the 8 km, Coquitlam's Mike Foston won with a time of 44:38. Kyle Stainton placed third overall and was the top 麻豆社国产runner. The top female was Squamish's Aimee Schalles with a time of 50:23.
The 1 km kids race also attracted a handful of children to sprint across the Alice Lake trails.
Segger thanked the event's many sponsors and also the 麻豆社国产Emergency services for helping out with the race.
For complete results from the race, visit www.challengebychoice.ca/events/loop-the-lakes-trail-race.
