The following is written by Chris Kelsall and was originally posted in Flotrack.

The 19th running of the Garden City, Times Colonist 10k will take place this Sunday, April 27th 2008 attracting approximately 10, 000 participants.

One of them is David ‘Action’ Jackson, who will be looking for his first TC 10k victory, after placing second in 2007 behind Vancouver’s Ryan Hayden. Jackson would also like to make up for a disheartening error in last week’s Vancouver Sun Run. David finished in 30:40 and off-the-podium. A sub 30 was in the cards, but he missed a turn in the middle of the race and was not feeling 100%. Watch for some very exciting racing action between David and the likes of, Eric Kiauka, Scott Simpson, Ryan Day and Jim Finlayson, who has won the race himself, with sparkling time of 30:09.

Victoria athlete, Lucy Smith is sidelined and will lead the race on her bike instead of by foot. Runners can rest assured she knows the route well, as she is after all, a seven time TC 10k champion, including her 2007 victory on her 40th birthday weekend. An exciting race will likely unfold between the top three women who finished last Sunday’s 2008 Vancouver Sun Run within a handful of seconds from each other. Cheryl Murphy and Kirsty Smith were 2 seconds apart, look for an epic head-to-head challenge, especially over the final few kilometers. Master, Marilyn Arsenault who is running very well, will look to challenge the top three.

Rounding out the top are:

Women:

Race No. - Name - City

11 Lisa Harvey Calgary, AB
12 Kirsty Smith Victoria, BC
13 Cheryl Murphy Victoria, BC
14 Marilyn Arsenault Victoria, BC
15 Kristina Rody Whistler, BC
16 Melanie McQuaid Victoria, BC
17 Rachel Ruus Richmond, BC
18 Joan McGrath New Westminster, BC
19 Nancy Baxendale Shawnigan Lake, BC
20 Adrienne Attorp Victoria, BC

Men:

Race No. - Name - City

1 Steve Osaduik Langley, BC
2 Jim Finlayson Victoria, BC
3 Ryan Day Richmond, BC
4 Dave Jackson Victoria, BC
5 Alex Hutchinson Toronto, ON
6 Oliver Utting Vancouver, BC
7 Todd Howard Victoria, BC
8 Steve Murenbeeld Victoria, BC
9 Spencer Morrison Vancouver, BC
10 Grant Handrigan Marystown, Nfld
21 Eric Findlay Victoria, BC
22 Nick Walker Victoria, BC
23 Sean Chester Victoria, BC
24 Ian Hallam Victoria, BC

The course:

The TC10k features a fast course with few turns and fewer up-hills. The race is run mostly along the water on Dallas Road. Typically the biggest obstacle on race day is a strong head-wind. The 2007 edition featured a gusting and swirling head-wind for approximately 4 kilometers, drastically dampening the quality of the finishing times.

The course starts on Southgate at Quadra Streets, with a flat and false flat first kilometer into Beacon Hill Park. From there onto Dallas Road at the 1 mile mark begins a gentle down-hill and false-flat stretch, which usually features a tail-wind. This is a fantastic opportunity to split a very fast 3.5 kilometers with its net downhill.

The first 5k could be very quick.

The turn-around is poetically and poignantly placed next to the Ross Bay Cemetery, where the 180 degree change-of-direction happens, followed by the course’s only hill of concern and the likelihood of the aforementioned head-wind.

Warning: The following 1k split may be horrendous.

Once runners pass the heroic figure of Terry Fox’s statue at Douglas and Dallas, which is located just steps before the 7k marker, a length of personal best inducing down-hill begins. This is a straight piece, which is nearly 1 mile long – to the Ogden Point Breakwater.

The final 2 kilometers are fairly flat with a few corners, finishing on uber-flat Belleville, in front of the stately Legislature, Fairmont Empress Hotel and 10, 000 noisy supporters.

Again, if wind does not play a factor some solid times will be recorded.

Map here

2007 TC 10k results are available here.