The Christie-Phoenix Insurance Victoria Run Series is set to add a new event for its seventh year.
This year the run series will return to the track for three nights of short-distance events, May 14, 28 and June 11, at the University of Victoria’s Centennial Stadium.
In September the run series heads to Elk Lake for a 10-kilometre race followed by a traditional cross-country race with three laps of a 2-km route.
Then comes the new event, a challenging run up Mount Douglas Park, which is sure to draw interest.
“This is the only opportunity for people of all ages and abilities on the lower Island to run track,” said race director Christopher Kelsall.
“It’s great fun to cheer on Olympic hopefuls and runners in the 70 to 79 age group. Where else will you find that?”
It’s been years since an organized race used the steep slope of Mount Douglas, such as the Gutbusters series, though Lambrick Park secondary holds an annual King and Queen of the Mountain race.
The track distances contested will include traditional events, such as 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m and 5,000m, and also opportunities to race one or two kilometres.
Participants are encouraged to enter multiple races to accumulate points throughout the series for a chance to win shoes from Frontrunners, or a weekend getaway to the BlackRock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet.
Entry is as low as $6.50 per race with a season pass, which includes entrance to the year-end party and silent auction, and a series shirt. Single race entry is $10.
Proceeds from the run series go to KidSport Greater Victoria.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com