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Tag Archive for: Thomas Nobbs

News, Pioneer 8K

Natasha Wodak and Thomas Nobbs win 44th annual Prairie Inn Harriers 8K

Media Release

Natasha Wodak and Thomas Nobbs win 44th annual Prairie Inn Harriers 8K

For immediate release — North Saanich, BC — The 44th running of the Harriers Pioneer 8K kicked off the 41st annual Vancouver Island Race Series as well as the BC Super Series on Sunday. Participants enjoyed near-perfect race conditions. The race is also the provincial 8K championships.

Vancouver-based athletes Natasha Wodak and Thomas Nobbs won the women’s and men’s races respectively.

Wodak won for the ninth time in 10 attempts at the Pioneer 8K. The one time she did not win, she finished second.  Sunday, Wodak, took the lead at mid-way and finished strong in the time of 26:20 to set a new masters (plus-40) age-group event record. She currently holds the course record of 25:55 and the event record of 25:28, which is an all-time Canadian best time for the distance.

Photo credit: Joseph Camilleri

Wodak currently holds the national marathon record from Sept. 2022 where she clocked a 2:23:12 performance in Berlin. The two-time Olympian said, “It was a great day at the Pioneer 8k. The rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits — everyone was racing hard and having fun! It was great to be a part of my favourite 8k again.“

Wodak next races the Houston Half Marathon, where she once held the national record of 69:41. On Sunday, Jan. 15, she may attempt to take back the record which now sits at 69:38.

Finishing in second place was fellow Olympian Genevieve Lalonde who clocked a 26:35. Lalonde holds the national 3000m steeplechase record at 9:22.40. Taking third was Kate Ayers with her finishing time of 27:24. The performance represents a new personal best for the Victoria-based runner. She previously ran 27:54 in the same race two years prior.

Thomas Nobbs, a former University of British Columbia Thunderbird was taking his first run at the 8K distance. He came into the race with a 10,000m best of 29:31.68. Sunday, he clocked 24:01 for the win.

Photo credit: Joseph Camilleri.

“It was such a blast getting to witness the energy of the Vancouver Island running community while briefly coming up for air in a big training block,” shared Nobbs. “I wanted to race this a little smarter with even splits all the way through the race and just rode the atmosphere of the other racers cheering me on during the second half. Was much more fun to run on my own effort and see who may or may not be there at halfway into race.”

Finishing second was Jaxon Kuchar who clocked a 24:27 finish time. Gabe Van Hezewijk took third in the time of 24:57. Both athletes compete for the University of Victoria Vikes.

The top junior U20 runners were Kuchar and Ella Ballard with her 28:48 clocking. She took ninth in the women’s field.

Roslyn Smith who was competing in the 75-79 age category was the fastest age-graded runner on the day at 96%, one percent faster than Wodak.

Olivia Lundman from Lanztville, BC, a national-level race walker, finished second in her 20-24 age group while walking. She clocked a 37:45 finish time.

There were 619 finishers, which is the most in nine years and the 11th most in the event’s 44-year history.

The next race in the eight-race series is the Cobble Hill 10K happening Sunday, Jan. 22. Information about the series is available at www.islandseries.org.

January 8, 2023/by Christopher Kelsall
https://www.islandseries.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_1011-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 Christopher Kelsall https://www.islandseries.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/cropped-4-300x300.jpg Christopher Kelsall2023-01-08 21:25:152023-01-08 21:25:19Natasha Wodak and Thomas Nobbs win 44th annual Prairie Inn Harriers 8K

Order your VIRS winter jacket now – just $200

Badass holiday message

Elf Rob has a holiday message

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEtPof_V2io

Elf Wayne has a holiday message

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C0oD5DRoCU

Elf Katie says, “buy the gift of fitness,”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOqM9G_YdxM

Natasha Wodak about the Pioneer 8K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4WGHWUusUg

McLean Mill 10K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj4WzndL4NU

Cobble Hill 10K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjO2Ji7sppM

Nick Walker welcomes you to the Hatley Castle 8K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBCMnQ9Zh2Q

Rob Hare welcomes you to the Bazan Bay 5K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfEIh_8QuDA

Wayne Crowe welcomes runners to the Comox RV Half

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAycoFSfbXo

Jeff Beddoes tries to invite you the Pioneer 8K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zm6Tfmpagk

Kathleen and Jason mention “prizes”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9fSEIZOkU8

2019 Pioneer 8K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9NPVyh_RjM&t=9s

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Season passes are now at the awesome rate of just $175 and are now available and starting Saturday, Nov. 12., single race entries will be available.

We have some “things” up our sleeves. Register now, don’t miss out. 

January 8 — Harriers Pioneer 8K

January 22 – Ceevacs Cobble Hill 10K

February 12 – Bastion Cedar 12K

February 26 – Westcoast Running Sooke 10k

March 12 – Frontrunners Hatley Castle 8K

March 19 – Comox Valley RV Half Marathon

April 2 – McLean Mill 10K

April 23 – Synergy Health Centre Bazan Bay 5K

COVID-19 PROTOCOL

All Vancouver Island Race Series events will abide by British Columbia Provincial Health Orders active at that time.
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