Comox Valley runners dominate at Eastside 10k

Three members of the Comox Valley Road Runners (CVRR) travelled to Vancouver and once again did the Valley proud at the Under Armour Eastside 10k road race on September 16.

Newcomer Brian Stewart, who is quickly making a name for himself on the provincial running scene, led the CVRR contingent, battling local favourite Danny Keyes all the way to the finish line. Stewart earned bragging rights (this time) and won his M55-59 category with a sparkling time of 38:17. Keyes was hot on his tail, finishing third in the same category with a time of 38:54. In fact, only former Olympian Art Boileau came between him and Stewart on the podium.

“I’m going to be gunning for him in the next battle for sure,” joked the always good-natured Keyes following the race.

Rounding out the Comox Valley runners was Derek Brenchley, who continued his winning ways with yet another age group title in his 60-64 age group with a stellar time of 41:12. Brenchley also won his age group at the San Francisco Marathon and placed second at the BMO Vancouver Marathon earlier this summer.

The Under Armour Eastside 10k, billed as “in, for and with the Eastside” is a major fundraiser for that under-serviced Vancouver community. The race featured a challenging course with some major hills and attracted some of the top runners from across Canada. Nearly 3,000 athletes participated, with overall winner Geoff Martinson finishing in a time of 29:59, beating out a strong field that included Olympian Dylan Wykes. The woman’s champion, Sarah Inglish, finished in 33:45, defeating Olympians Natasha Wodak and Lanni Marchant in the process.

The next test for the Comox Valley Road Runners will be when they join thousands of other racers on the starting line of the Victoria Goodlife Fitness Marathon, Half Marathon and 8k events on October 8.

To learn more about the Comox Valley Road Runners, visit www.cvrr.ca.