McLean Mill 10K: Comebacks, snow and delicious chowder

Jonah Brost and Jennifer Erickson won the 2026 McLean Mill 10K in 32:14 and 38:25, respectively, on Sunday, March 29. Post-race, all finishers enjoyed chowder, Dog Mountain Brewery beverages and snow—yes, it is nearly April, but the Alberni Valley is special.

Men’s race

Jonah Brost, representing the Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club, won the race in cool but calm conditions against strong series runners Nathaniel Tabert, Logan Roots and Liam Hobbs.

Tabert, with Speedfarm, finished second in 32:36, while Roots, from Cumberland and running for Esprit RC, clocked 33:14 for third place.

Jonah Brost for the win. Photo credit: Screenshot from Startline Timing camera.

The first master (40+) finisher was Brent McMahon, who ran 35:30 to place eighth overall. Myles Jones was the first junior (U20, age 16–19), recording a time of 35:42. While McMahon represents his real estate company and series sponsor Dinnie-Smyth McMahon Real Estate Group, Jones was sporting Peninsula Track and Field Club colours.

So far this season, Brost has run three 10K races, finishing in 32:14 at the Cobble Hill 10K, 32:01 at the Sooke 10K and now 32:13 in Port Alberni. If anything, he is consistent. McLean Mill served as a bit of redemption for the Victoria-based athlete: he won the Hatley Castle 8K (race three of the series) on February 8, but was later disqualified after accidentally missing part of the course.

Last year, Brost set a personal best of 31:14.37 on the track (10,000m) and has run 32:01 on the roads this year. In March 2025, he clocked 14:59.40 for 5000m in Vancouver. He was formerly coached by two-time Olympian Bruce Deacon in the Harriers junior program and now competes for the club in the open category.

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Women’s race

Erickson won the race in 38:22 in 2025. This year, she was two seconds off that mark, although neither performance approaches her personal best of 34:50, set at the 2024 TC10K.

The former University of Victoria Vike owns a 5000m personal best of 16:55.48. Now 33, she is competing and coaching with Speedfarm.

Jennifer Erickson for the win. Photo credit: Tashia Potter

Bailey Toupin finished second in 39:05, representing HMCS Malahat. Laura Taverna placed third; the Speedfarm athlete just managed to dip under the 40-minute barrier with a 39:57 gun time.

“For me, this race served two purposes: to shake off the cobwebs and get out and race, even when I know I’m not at my best (something we encourage our Speedfarm athletes to do!), and to see where my fitness is at.

“Happy to manage a repeat win in the process, it’s something I never take for granted. And as always, the atmosphere at the Island Race Series is always fun to be a part of,” shared Erickson.

During the series, age-group awards are based on chip time, while gun time is used for official overall results, records and standards. Taverna and Toupin were each two seconds faster by chip time.

Stella Nadler was the top U20 junior, finishing in 41:17.

The masters division was competitive. Jessica Ainsworth, of the Bastion Run Club, competing in the 45–49 age group, appeared to be the top masters runner (40+). She effectively tied with 50–54 winner Andrea Wilson of the Comox Valley Road Runners, with both credited at 44:41. However, it was 55–59 runner Margaret Dietz who led the masters field, recording a 43:42 performance. All three earned 20 club points for winning their respective age groups.

Series fodder…

The final race of the 2026 season happens Sunday, April 12, in Sidney. The Saanich Physio + Bazan Bay 5K runs from Tulista Park and back, offering one of the fastest road 5K courses in Canada and possibly North America.

The race is capped at 900 registrations and will sell out.

There may be a showdown at the Bazan Bay 5K as Brandon Vail with Speedfarm is leading the series-long competition with 868.79 points. Brost is running second with 840.72 points. Likewise, the women are close with Toupin leading Erin Dopko of Speedfarm with 787.51 versus 756.26 points.

Currently, three-time champions Speedfarm are again leading the Island Series Cup Championships with a low score of 143 points. Following in second place are the Prairie Inn Harriers, who have 713 points. Following in third place is Bastion Run Club of Nanaimo, who could leapfrog the Harriers—Speedfarm is uncatchable.

In the VIRA Cup, where the goal is to gain as many age-group points as possible, Speedfarm leads three-time defending champion Harriers with 3427 points to 2366. Currently in third place is Bastion Run Club with 2159. Again, the race for second is not over, but first for Speedfarm is a lock.

Five men in the 80-84 category ran the race. Frank Towler bettered Eric Ellis 53:22 to 54:51 gun time. They were several seconds fast in chip time.

Derek Brenchley won the 70-74 age category and set a new course record for his age group, clocking in at an impressive 41:47 or 41:49 chip time. One week ago, he broke the Comox Valley RV Half Marathon age group course record, running 1:30:51.

Full results
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Holly Pinto: Race recap from McLean Mill 10K

I brought home my best time ever for a 10km. Nothing about this article has to do with that. Just thought you should know. You should also know the McLean Mill 10K was the Kinder Surprise Egg of the series. Y’all, edge of my seat! In reference to my last post about rituals… there was no room for that. So, what do we do when a race goes nothing as planned? 

Step 1: stay warmed up…

Step 2: just run. 

It’s been said before, it’s not the destination, it’s the journey. While I can exaggerate the importance of keeping race day similar to training days, sometimes I don’t have control. It’s going to rain though the forecast said 0% chance of precipitation. It’s going to false start right when the preworkout kicks in. You might cross the finish line just to… cross another? With all that eclipse energy to share, I shouldn’t have been surprised that nothing was how I planned. A gentle reminder that we all came to simply… run. 

Like every race in the series, you can’t help but get lost in the beauty of the course. There’s no hustle and bustle. I zig-zagged the back road forest which canopied the rainfall. That’s why I run. To be lost in amongst trees. I forgot for that moment the stress of this and that and just ran. Yes, race day should have a pressure to play your best. However, the heart in showing up is the love for the run. With the Vancouver Island Run Series, we escape into pockets of the island’s lushest country life. And the McLean Mill 10K was so. As rolling hills take you through the miles you can’t help but feel like a Mario cart driver in the jungle using all gears. The snowcap mountains in the background display you are in fact running at the most beautiful place in the world. And that final stretch UP humbles efforts of going for the fast finish. 

After we cheer Dog Mountain Brewing beer we congratulate each other. Ribbons are handed out while we warm up to the most perfect chilli. A thought I had: I didn’t ask a single person their timing. No one asked mine. You know why? We were all there for the love of running. Our runner’s high didn’t leave space for competition (ok, a little). Rather everyone was smiling and joyously hollering and celebrating. This is the best part of this friendly island cup game. The camaraderie is a balance of chasing goals while catching up with pals. It’s about just running. 

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Ambassador Holly: This is the race I’ve been waiting for (McLean Mill 10K)

Three sleeps until the McLean Mill 10K.

This is the race I’ve been waiting for. I’ve called Port Alberni home for almost a decade. Leading up to race day I had the same nerves as I did pre-Comox — the last race I participated in. Even though any race starts with jitters, I have to credit the Vancouver Island Race Series for routing out incredible backdrops that completely distract me.

The Comox Valley RV Half Marathon did not disappoint. With rolling country backroads and farm animal spectators, my favourite snippets from the last race in Comox will reflect here in Port Alberni. I know the route coming up on Sunday. Like Comox, there will be snow-capped mountains in the distance with old-growth trees lining the course. While My goal for the Comox race was to complete it. This Sunday, I’m hoping to bring home my best time for a 10K. No matter the distance, I like to keep prerace day rituals the same. With three sleeps out here are my go-tos (as an amateur runner):

Go-tos

Sleep. Snack. Stretch. Sip.

Sleep.

Leading up to race day I make sure my sleep schedule is clean. No late nights, no sleeping in. Keeping my rest regimented allows me to know how I’ll feel come race day. There’s nothing worse than a sleep hangover from too much sleeping or exhaustion from not enough. With three days out, I’ll be turning off my phone and hitting the pillow for 8-10 hours sleep. 

Snacks! Snacking is any athlete’s favourite part of training. Leading up to race day I ensure I’m getting in my protein and carbs. No skipping meals or splurging on treats. The value in keeping the gut clean for race day is crucial. There’s nothing worse than showing up for a race after investing in training just to have your gut hold you back. 

Stretching. Movement. Flow. I rest on my weight lifting and running workouts this close to a race while allowing an easy run, like chit-chat pace, to keep routine. Each day leading up I’ll continue to do a classic “warm up” with simple drills and mobility offering my muscle memory to keep in action. In the evenings I’ll do a foam rolling for fascial release and bring blood flow to the spots holding tension. Conserving my endurance for the big day while still keeping my body moving. 

Sip, sip, hurray! An honest mistake I have made as a rookie is chugging all the water 24 hours out from a race and then feeling sluggish. It’s frustrating hitting the course on race day just to be interrupted for a toilet break. Starting now, I’ll make sure I am sipping my water continuously until the race. A couple hours out from the race start, I’ll add my favourite electrolytes in. Supplementing these minerals has me prepped for the first few race kilometres. Like gas in the tank rather than starting on empty. 

Banking on these pre-race rituals helps me feel prepared and eases the pressure leading up to racing. The starting line is close in sight today and I’m ready to see fellow racers. Not just to see ribbons handed out, but also to toast personal bests and some friendly “I did its!” 

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McLean Mill 10K: A guide to quickly running to chowder

With the half marathon behind us, it’s just a 10K and a 5K race left until the end of this year’s series. In Cobble Hill, you have already set a time to beat, and McLean Mill is a fantastic opportunity to see how much you’ve grown into your race routine.

When you look at the elevation profile of the McLean Mill course, it looks relatively flat. That is if you don’t look at the scale. So you’ve been warned: the course will be a bit hilly. However, to reward you for battling all the hills, there will be chowder. So when the gun goes off, your race to chowder begins. The first 200 metres or so, you make your way to the road and downhill you go. The first 4 to 5K are fast. It’s mostly downhill and you need to go give ‘er in this first half. Because think about it: the faster you go here, the sooner you’ll get your hands on chowder. Also, the second half is less forgiving and might make you slow down your pursuit of chowder.

Photo from the first 200m of the 2023 edition of the McLean Mill 10K. Photo credit: Joe Camilleri

After you’ve hit the halfway point though the course will go uphill. The last 2.5K you will be backtracking the first kilometres, so you will be going the same way up as you came down. So while the way out was downhill and fast, the way back will be uphill. Here’s the positive thing about the uphill on the way back: you’re closer to the chowder than you are to the start. So even if the hills feel relentless: don’t give up! Remind yourself that there’s chowder waiting for you at the finish to give yourself that extra bit of motivation to push a little harder.

By the time you hit the point on the road you came on at the start, don’t be fooled. You’re not there yet! You still have half a kilometre to go. Keep going on the road, listen to the kind volunteers that will make you take a 180 turn, run back on the road and then a left turn towards the mill. You go up a little bump and then you can sprint down to the finish. At that point, you can basically smell the chowder.

Port Alberni, bring it on!

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Fernwood Social Run Club wins social media photo contest

The Fernwood Social Run Club entered a few photos into the social media photo contest. In a random draw, the one below was the winner.

The prize? Ten pairs of Vancouver Island Race Series socks.

Pictured here are a few members of the Fernwood Social Run Club positioned at the front of the startline to the McLean Mill 10K in Port Alberni.

The race took place at the National Historic Site McLean Mill. It was the first year of the new race course, name and location.

Follow the intrepid Fernwood club on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fernwoodsocialrunclub/

See other awesome submissions from Badass Chicks Run Trails (BCRT), Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club, Capital City Run Crew among others. Below is a montage from BCRT.

The next race on the schedule is the Westcoast Sooke 10K.

The event includes a 1K kid’s run with chocolate for every finisher. Entry is just $5. Runners must be U12, however, we will not being checking ID.

The club competition is getting exciting.

VIRA Cup standings, heating up

The VIRA Cup is turning into a race. The defending champion Ceevacs Road Runners, have made big ground over the recent two races. The Prairie Inn Harriers who lead, will need to be on full force to hold off the Ceevacs during the final two races coming up.

Big first place age-group wins by Ceevacs Jill Ramstead, Angela Maclean, Teresa Lewis-Schneider, Colleen Vanderheide, and second place finishes by Gary Vermette, Kelly Shellenberg and Diana Persson helped the powerhouse Ceevacs make good ground on the Harriers at the McLean Mill 10K.

However, Keith Mills second overall, first master, had a great race, David Hoskins with an age-group win and Mark Ritchie with a second place run in the 55-59 age-group was a good counter.

Both teams will be showing down at Sooke, for sure, because the grand finale, the Bazan Bay 5K will see all toe the line. It’s a two-horse race for first, but wait! There’s more.

There is a five-horse race for fifth place between the GCE South Island Runners who currently have 764 points and Speedfarm with 606. In between are the Badass Chicks Run Trails, Capital City Run Crew, and Salt Spring Sneakers.

Potential civil war to break out in the Comox Valley for third place. The battle isn’t over yet between the Comox Valley Road Runners and Run to Beer Comox Valley.

Get yer ya ya’s out — this is going to be fun to watch. All hands on deck for Sooke and Bazan.

Prairie Inn Harriers – 2272

Ceevacs Road Runners – 2102

Run to Beer Comox Valley – 1536

Comox Valley Road Runners – 1086

GCE South Island Runners – 764

Bastion Run Club – 727

Salt Spring Sneakers – 722

Badass Chicks Run Trails – 620

Speedfarm – 606

Esprit RC – 515

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Triumphant return and record run at McLean Mill 10K in Port Alberni

Port Alberni, BC – April 2, 2023 – Sunday saw a triumphant return of the Port Alberni edition of the Vancouver Island Race Series. Previously known as the Paper Chase 10K and then 15K, the race not only has a new name, but a new course too: the McLean Mill 10K.

The race starts and finishes in the National Historic Site McLean Mill — a picturesque setting to be sure.

Keith Mills finishing second overall and first master (Prairie Inn Harriers). Photo credit: Joseph Camilleri.

The 2022 series champion Jonathan Walker (Esprit RC) won in the time of 33:36. Emily Bugoy (Mettle Heart Endurance) took her first race win in the time of 37:41, a two-minute and six second personal best. Both performances set course records, being the first time that the new course has been used.

“It was a good race, hillier than I thought, with a tough second half, but I am happy with the win.,” shared Walker. “I will be looking to improve my personal best which is 32:56 at the TC10K April 30 and running well at the Bazan Bay 5K on April 23.”

Asked how the race went, Bugoy, who cycled 45K from Coombs said, “My feet were numb from the ride. I hadn’t raced off the bike before. It took awhile to get comfortable. I am happy with the new pb.”

There was snow falling after the race — she rode back home to Coombs. Asked if she will be cycling to the next race, the Sooke 10K, she said, “yes, from Victoria though, not from Coombs.”

Finishing in second place was also the first 40-plus master Keith Mills (Prairie Inn Harriers). He clocked a 34:56 performance. Taking third was Chris Walsh (GCE South Island Runners) in 35:09.

The second female was Natasha Parsons in 38:05 (Badass Chicks Run Trails). Jill Ramstead (Ceevacs Road Runners) took third in 39:48, she was also the first master.  

There was a record 404 finishers. The previous Port Alberni series’ record was 364 in 2010 when it was the Paper Chase 10K. The race had a successful return after taking a two-year pandemic pause.

The next race in the series takes place Sunday, April 9 in Sooke at the Westcoast Sooke 10K. As it happens on Easter Sunday, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids and a 1K kid’s run, which includes chocolate for every finisher.

Information about the race series is available at www.islandseries.org.