From www.triathlon.org – Canadian Simon Whitfield’s renown sprint finish did not let him down today at the Hy-Vee ITU Triathlon Elite Cup. In what seemed like a replay from the Beijing Olympic Games, four men came into the finish straight together side by side: Whitfield, Germany’s Jan Frodeno, who was the man to pip Whitfield in Beijing, Australia’s Brad Kahlefeldt and New Zealand’s Kris Gemmell. Unlike Beijing however, Whitfield would cross the line first with an elated roar one second ahead of his chasers in a time of 1 hour 49 minutes and 43 seconds, claiming triathlon’s top payday. After a photo finish review, the third of the season, it was determined Australia’s Brad Kahlefeldt just nipped the tall German at the line for second with Frodeno in third. Gemmell finished fourth.

Continue reading…

==============

From CBC News - Victoria’s Simon Whitfield outran five other competitors in a sprint to the finish to win the US$200,000 first prize Saturday at an Elite Cup Triathlon in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Whitfield, the silver medallist at the Beijing Olympics, leaned at the tape to edge Australian Brad Kahlefeldt, who’s ranked second in the world.

“First thing I’m doing is buying this amazing toy house for my daughter Pippa,” Whitfield said after claiming the largest single-race prize of his 14-year career. “She’s been running around the front yard at home and really inspired me.”

In the women’s race, Vancouver’s Lauren Groves finished third.

(more…)

What are you doing on Wednesday, July 1? Join us for a great 10K run at Elk Lake to celebrate Canada! Bring a friend, wear red, and win real bragging rights for this timed race around Elk Lake. The path will be the shortest distance around Elk Lake. Not quite a 10K, but this guarantees that no one can take a short cut! This is all about bragging right after all! Sign up today while there is still room. This event will fill up fast!

The race starts at 9am from the Beaver Lake Shelter area.

All the profits are going to the Arthritis Society. Cost is just $30

VOLUNTEERS: Not ready to run or walk the Canada Day 10K? Or just ready to take a day off from racing and give to a great cause? We need volunteers to help us with water stations, course marshal, registrations, and traffic control. All the proceeds from this event go to the Arthritis Society’s Joints in Motion. Please contact Peter Goetsch at pgoetsch@runningroom.com to volunteer. Thank you for your support!

The fabled Western States Endurance Run begins tomorrow in California and a number of BC runners will be participating (see Ian Jackson’s recent post on BC runners participating in the event).

The race begins 5am Saturday and if you want to follow along here are a few ways you can do so (thanks to Gary for this):

• The Western States Webcast will update runners positions throughout the race.
• Matt Hart will be twittering and videoing throughout the day. You can find his twitter links on his blog (you have to scroll down about half way to find them), or his twitter page.
• On Gary Robbins blog – his support crew will be posting frequent twitter updates on his progress. You can scroll through these updates by clicking on the arrows and anything in orange links to a pic or a website. 

Good luck to everyone racing! Check back here Monday for a full report and results…

Mountain bikers, from novice to Olympians, pay $2,250 to explore trails on Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast and North Shore in seven-day trek

Volunteers are needed for the 30th Annual Self-Transcendence Triathlon/Duathlon that will take place Sunday, August 2, 2009 in Victoria, BC.

As appreciation, all volunteers will recieve a technical shirt, water bottle and post race meal. Volunteers will also be eligible for draw prizes.

If interested contact Patricia at 250-592-5355 or email info@scmt.ca.

The Yukon River Quest, the longest canoe and kayak race in the world, begins today in Whitehorse, Canada. This year’s field will feature 79 teams with 172 paddlers from all over the world – including several past champions – in what should be a competitive event.

(more…)

From CBC News -

A new record has been set for the most times anyone has climbed North Vancouver’s gruelling Grouse Grind trail in a single day.

Around 11 p.m. PT Monday night, Vancouver realtor Sebastian Albrecht reached the top of the rocky trail for the 13th time since he started at 7 a.m.

After completing the final climb in the dark, a weary Albrecht told CBC News it had been a challenging day.

(more…)

The inaugural Summer Solstice half and full TRAIL marathon is this Sunday June 21^st and  race organizers are still looking for 10-12 more marshals. If you, or someone you know, is willing to offer up a few hours to assist the runners in heading the right direction, contact Laura Jone, the event’s volunteer coordinator @ laura@northshoreathletics.com.

Written by Chris Kelsall – Langford’s Ryan McKenzie won the 25th annual Chemanius Twilight Shuffle five kilometre race on Tuesday.

McKenzie, Cam Levins (who runs varsity for the University of Southern Utah) and Richard Mosley (Coquitlam) ran through the first kilometer together when Mosley fell off the pace. Levins held on until the two km mark before he held back, and McKenzie ran all alone for the remainder of the race, building his lead to 30 seconds by the time the dust settled.

McKenzie set a new course record with a time of 14 minutes, 23 seconds.

(more…)

Written by Christopher Kelsall and reproduced here with permission…

Track Classic – Victoria, BC – June 10, 2009 – The 21st annual Track Classic took place in Victoria, BC at the University of Victoria’s Centennial Stadium. The evening was capped by two main events, the women’s and men’s 1500m Invitational, respectively.
University of Victoria Vike, Geoff Martinson won the men’s race in 3:41.97 with Mexico’s Jose-Juan Esparza close behind in 3:42.14 and Canadian, Daniel Mallie nearly 2 seconds behind Martinson with a 3:43.96. Results from the men’s 1500m race are below, full event results are available at www.trackclassic.com.

The sizeable crowd showed enthusiasm for both the men and women’s 1500m Invitational races. Canadian, Kendra Schaff brought the crowd to life first with her strong finish achieving a 4:18.61 for the win ahead of fellow Canadians, Ashley Hinter and Jessica Smith who finished an exciting .01 of a second apart from each other in 4:22.67 and 4:22.68 respectively.

(more…)

The following message is from Laura Jones, Volunteer Coordinator for the Run The North Shore race series:

I am now asking for VOLUNTEERS for the 3rd RTNS event of 2009, the inaugural Summer Solstice half/full trail marathon Sunday June 21st, 8 am start at Cleveland Dam. The following is a list of volunteer positions, if there is a position that intrigues you please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Laura Jones: laura@northshoreathletics.com with your name, and the position in which you are interested. You will receive email confirmation of your position and more specific details (exact time, location etc.).

(more…)

Interested in getting in better shape for the summer? LuluLemon, Oqoqo and COS are currently offering free boot camps at Kits Beach each Tuesday this June. Details below:

WHAT: Boot Camps Tuesdays in June 9, 16, 23, 30
COST: Free
WHO: Lululemon, Oqoqo and COS Boot Camps
WHERE: Kits Beach- Meet on the grass at the intersection of Arbutus and Creelman
TIME: 7:15 p.m.
FOR IMFORMATION: call 778-668-1493
DESCRIPTION: The sun is shinning and the beach is calling your name. Only problem… the dreaded bathing suit! Lululemon, Oqoqo and COS Boot Camps are teaming up to give you a free lesson in toning up while looking as good as you feel. Hit up Kits Beach every Tuesday evening in June for a chance to enjoy the outdoors and meet new people while achieving your fitness goals. Bootcamp is open to those in all levels of fitness.

The BC Athletics 2009 5K Road Race Championship will be held in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary Legion Twilight Shuffle on the evening of Tuesday, June 16, 2009 in Chemainus, BC.

(more…)

An update on the Chip’s Not Dead Yet Memorial Mile has been posted on the Miss 604 blog.  The event is only a few weeks away and promises to be bigger and better than ever. For more information check out the post or visit the official race website.

From the Globe and Mail – Blogs were buzzing over the weekend, as successful Olympic ticket applicants crowed over their prizes.

“Got Canada v. USA mens hockey tickets and I could not be any happier” said one.

“We filled in some gaps in our Olympic tickets….The BIGGEST pickup is certainly the Canada vs. USA preliminary round hockey game,” wrote Toronto blogger Todd Warnell.

Trumpeted Steph, another happy customer: “I’m going to the Olympics” She managed to order tickets for two Canadian hockey matches, the women against Sweden and the men’s preliminary contest against Switzerland. “This is honestly one of my biggest dreams come true I’m so excited, I haven’t stopped smiling all day, and I can’t possibly sit still”

Continue reading…

The 21st Annual Victoria International Track Classic will be held on Wednesday June 10 at UVic Centennial Stadium from 7 pm – 9 pm. Following on from the success from previous years, the Track Classic will feature an array of national and international talent from the world of athletics.

(more…)

A Fun Run for Kids of All Ages

Supporting Mentoring Programs of
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria

Kinsmen Gorge Park, Esquimalt
June 27, 2009, Run starts at Noon

The event is non-competitive. Participants can walk, run, or roll a 1,3, 5, or 10 km distance. There is no registration fee charged to participate in the fun run. We do however ask that you make a donation at the site or collect money. All Participants are invited to attend the Big Brothers Big Sisters Annual Summer Picnic held at the Kinsmen Gorge Park on that same day from Noon –3pm The Big Give Back Fun Run is a family oriented, fun filled event that welcomes all members of the community.

To Register Please
Email: main@bbbsvictoria.com
or
Phone: 250.475.1117

Download a BIG GIVE BACK pledge form

In case you missed out during phase 1:

Phase 2 Olympic tickets go on sale Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 10:00 am (Pacific Time). Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Save yourself time on June 6 by following these helpful hints:

Timesaving Tips

1. Know your Vancouver 2010 ticketing account — It may have been a while since you last signed in to your account. Re-familiarize yourself by using your registered e-mail address and password to sign in before June 6.
Sign in to your ticketing account now >>

(more…)

Come experience a CrossFit workout and support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria all at the same time!

On June 17th at 7:00pm head to Crossfit Zone in Victoria (613 Herald Street) and get introduced to a program that delivers a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive.

(more…)

BC Athletics is pleased to announce the launch of the Lower Mainland Road Race Series. For 20 years, the Timex BC Road Running Series has existed as a de facto Lower Mainland Series. In 2009 an explicit Lower Mainland Road Race Series has been created, to complement an enhanced Timex BC Road Running Series and other regional series.

The Lower Mainland Road Race Series features ten of the best events in the Vancouver area, providing runners of all ages and abilities with the chance to compete against their peers. The series kicks-off at the St. Patrick’s Day 5K in Stanley Park on March 14, and concludes with the Richmond Oval 8K on August 16. The ten events feature races over 5K, 8K, 10K and the half marathon.

(more…)