If you haven’t already signed up for this Sunday’s Hatley Castle 8K road race, you can still register up to race day.
The event, the fourth of eight in the Frontrunners Island Race Series, will attract no shortage of runners, from the serious to the recreational. While the more advanced athletes in the field may be out to secure series points or record a personal best time, others will simply be taking the opportunity to do something healthy, while challenging themselves on a course known for its killer opening hill.
Race director Nick Walker hopes for no repeat of last year, when a rare snowfall pushed the race back a week.
“This is the fourth year for Frontrunners Athletic Club to host the event and we are anticipating over 400 participants to take part,” he said.
Langford firefighters will be on hand cooking up free post-race hot dogs for participants and taking donations for muscular dystrophy research and support. Royal Bay Bakery will provide freshly-baked treats.
Thomas Holm with the Harriers club was the top men’s finisher in last year’s Hatley race in a time of 27 minutes, 22 seconds, while clubmate Claire Morgan was fastest woman in 30:35.
After three races, the Prairie Inn Harriers lead the club standings with 1,557 points followed by Comox Valley Road Runners with 927 and Nanaimo’s Bastion Running Club with 739.
The race gets underway at 11 a.m. Feb. 22, starting and finishing at the Royal Roads University gymnasium.
Online registrations ended Wednesday, but runners can sign up at Frontrunners, 123-755 Goldstream Ave., on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. ($30 adults, $25 students), or at Royal Roads on race day ($35/$30) before the start.
For more information, visit vira.bc.ca.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com