EB 2009 Ultras

22nd ANNUAL ISLAND RUNNER ELK/BEAVER ULTRAS
Race report.
Hosted by Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club - Victoria, BC, Canada - May 2, 2009

The weather, although a little blustery and damp did not detract from a glorious event that virtually ran itself.
There were some stellar performances on the classic 10K lake trail.

Notably Hassan Lotfi-Pour of North Vancouver, our fastest runner at the Lake.
He won the 100K division in a very respectable 7:50:47 a PB for him at this distance, and the first time running this event. Having spent most of the morning sharing the lead with our local hero of the 100 K, and Prairie Inn Harriers running club member, Darren Froese. Andy Bachmann of Pitt Meadows was third with a sub 8 hour finish, Brad Holmes, toughed it out to finish in 4th.place.

The 50 mile Canadian Championship race was won by 35 year old Denise McHale from Whitehorse YT with a new course record of 6:41:15. After a great performance last year in the World 100K Championship in Italy.
The Mens title went to Joe Huising from Edmonton AB, with Rob Mackay from Victoria a solid third place finish, after his 50K victory last year at Elk Beaver Ultras.

The 50K proved to be the most popular event this year with 19 finishers.
Walter Cantwell (P.I.H.) 41 y/o of Victoria held on to his dominance of the entire race building up a fifteen minute lead over a stunning PR performance from John Edwards 63 y/o from Ladysmith BC.
Most of the remaining field finished around the 5 hour mark, with Rainy Kent (4:56:51) of Burnaby, after a serious hamstring issue in the first lap, hung on for another Ladies 50K win to add to her collection.

This year I introduced a new event.A "First Timers" 26.2 mile race.
This was won by Martin Lingnau of Victoria with a very respectable 3:51:31, setting the bar for the next "Rookie Marathoner", to try and best.
The womans race was won with a solid 4:06:21, by Liz Collings of N.Vancouver.

The final event on this year's race card was the 25 mile (4 lap) Ultrawalk.
This year two women walked the four laps within talking distance of each other the whole event keepin each other true to their sport.Eventually Martha McNeely (PIH) of Victoria, BC 58 5:01:49 *just pipped Jacquie Farris by one second at the line for our closest finish and setting a great woman's course record.

Finally I would like to thank our sponsor. Island Runner of Victoria BC, Bob Reid, who inaugurated this great event many years ago, and all the volunteers, and family members that made this event possible.
Till next year!

Carlos Castillo Race Director
Victoria May 3rd. 2009