Gord Kurenoff: Rolling Stones of running start us up with FY8K to kick off September
Credit to Author: Gord Kurenoff| Date: Sun, 01 Sep 2019 20:11:23 +0000
Jeannine Avelino, still walking gingerly after completing her first Squamish 50K on Aug. 18 in just under 11½ hours, apologized last week for making me walk, run and then cry.
No, it had nothing to do with the fact she’ll be pushing my comfort zone on Saturday, Sept. 14 as an official Under Armour pacer of the not-so-speedy, but oh-so-fun 70-minute group in the UA Eastside 10K, one of many awesome events scheduled this month.
The 36-year-old Avelino — a beautiful road and trail runner, video editor with CTV, awesome human being and huge supporter of the resurrected Movember Moustache Miler — along with triathlon-beast videographer Peter Toth interviewed yours truly about suicide, mental health and depression at Rogers Arena last weekend.
Let’s just say there were some “tear duct malfunctions” as we discussed my late brother Ward, suicide’s collateral damage and dealing with depression. Running has been my saviour.
Peter Toth and Jeannine Avelino get Gord Kurenoff, left, to do a few laps of Rogers Arena while compiling a video report on suicide and men’s mental health. (Lisa Kurenoff photo)
Peter had me do laps around Rogers Arena, at varying speeds and angles, for the report that’s expected to be ready for viewing on Sept. 10, which just happens to be World Suicide Prevention Day. Wasn’t expecting to do any running to be honest, especially as I squeezed in my final lazy days of summer (and junk food, big barbecues and bigger buffets) before returning to “mostly serious” training!
In what should be a September to Remember (unless you cheer for the B.C. Lions or Whitecaps), there are several new, inspiring events, runs/walks to salute active seniors, to remember Terry Fox, to raise funds and awareness for worthy community projects — and to drink wine, lots of wine.
I encourage you to pick an event (or two) from the following list, lace up and enjoy some healthy family fun. And don’t worry about your time, the speed will come later (I’ve been told often).
And, while I know it’s early, also consider registering for the MoMiler, which goes Saturday, Nov. 23 in Vancouver. It’s the most fun you can have in a costume while wearing a real or fake stache! Plus event coordinator Shannon Banal and Ms. Avelino want to refresh their funny photo inventory!
Here’s a sampling of this month’s race menu, along with a few photographic memories and relevant notes:
The Forever Young 8K, an inspiring race for those 55 and older, will roll out its fifth edition on Sunday, Sept. 8. More than 250 took part in the run/walk event last year. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Sunday | Sept. 8
9 a.m., Richmond Olympic Oval (for runners/walkers 55-plus)
Website:www.foreveryoung8k.ca
Difficult to believe this will be the fifth annual FY8K for B.C.’s inspiring seniors, who are like the Rolling Stones of local racing. Many of them still move like Jagger, too!
This will also be the third time the chip-timed event starts and finishes at the Richmond Olympic Oval as the out-and-back flat course goes along the Fraser River.
Vancouver marathon man Walter Downey, who besides running all over the globe and setting numerous personal bests this year, won the FY8K two years ago and was second last year to Vancouver’s Carey Nelson. Another “fresh senior” to watch is Colin Brander of Vancouver. Susan Gordon of Salt Spring Island and Sylvie Dufour of Vancouver are speedsters on the women’s side.
Some of the other notables include super fit anthem singer-runner Lynn Walters of Richmond, Akram Khan of Richmond, who last year owned the podium in all 75 to 79 age category races, and Gwen McFarlan, one of the Forever Young Club founders and owner of most world records in the 80 to 84 age category.
This niche race, the baby of Forever Young Club co-founders John and Joan Young, will incorporate some neat additions next year and John might reveal those “surprises” at this Sunday’s medal ceremony. This year’s charity is the Dream On Seniors Wish Foundation.
The FY8K, which never fails to inspire, did just that for my father-in-law (Dennis Hill) last year. After losing 62 pounds and launching a regular walking program, the soon-to-be 74-year-old finished the 8K and hasn’t stopped. This year he’s looking to establish a PB and his recent training times suggest he’ll likely crush it. What a showoff!
The Under Armour Eastside 10K always attracts a fun and fast crowd, as more than 3,100 people completed the Canada Running Series race last year. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Saturday | Sept. 14
8:30 a.m., Cordova Street at Abbott Street
Website:canadarunningseries.com/vancouver-eastside-10k
This Canada Running Series event, besides featuring some of the best athletes in Canada, also defines paying it forward for community.
The race works closely with three DTES charities, and includes several members of the neighbourhood on its volunteer/cheer team. The Eastside 10K has pacers from 40 minutes to 75 minutes, which for slower runners (hi mom!) is a sweet bonus as the underlying message for including the slower weekend warriors seems to be “you matter, too!” Nice touch.
As mentioned earlier, Avelino just completed the Squamish 50K — a gruelling race that included 2,500 metres of ascent over technical mountain bike trails all over Squamish — and will slow down to pace the 70-minute group and listen to my puns and jokes for the entire time!
More than 3,100 runners crossed the finish line last year and it was a banner day for North Vancouver’s Natasha Wodak (33:12) and Calgary’s Trevor Hofbauer (29:24).
Farther back in the pack, I shuffled along with Sandra Jongs Sayer of Langley, who joked at the 8K mark (while I was gasping for air) that she’s had enough of the “easy short races” and suggested marathons were next on her hit list. Well, that joke became reality as she crushed her first 42.2K by completing the new Revel Marathon in Chilliwack last month. That’s inspiring stuff. I, on the other hand, just bought more Under Armour gear!
The charities this year include the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, PHS Community Services Society and YouthCo.
Terry Fox inspired a lot of people with his Marathon of Hope and every year people gather to keep his dream alive, including in Langley City. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Sunday | Sept. 15
Throughout B.C.
Website: terryfox.org
Every year I run with the wife in this event and play the pun-filled paparrazi for the Terry Fox Run in Langley City. The plan is to do again this year — as long as I survive the Eastside 10K and a couple long work days!
Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope inspired a nation, and made running an ideal way to raise awareness, fitness and funds for so many worthwhile causes today.
In an email this past week Fred Fox wrote: “Close to 40 years later, Canadians are still taking care of my brother — only now it is by supporting his cancer research legacy. Thanks to your fundraising effort, this year started off with the exciting launch of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Center Network.
“The network will accelerate precision medicine by uniting top-tier cancer researchers and clinicians in Canada allowing them to share data and apply innovative new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to solve today’s biggest cancer challenges.”
The 5K and 10K runs in Langley City start at 10 a.m. There are 650-plus runs across the country so hopefully you can find one to enjoy. See you there.
The Campbell Valley Wine Run is one of those should-not-miss events, especially if you’re into fun, fitness and wine stops along the course. (Gord Kurenoff)
Sunday | Sept. 22
9 a.m., High Point Equestrian Center (Langley)
You know all those “Will Run For Wine” T-shirts you see at the PNE, beach and pubs? Perhaps they’re unaware such a neat run exists!
The seventh annual Campbell Valley Wine Run has added an 11K this year to go with its 15K and 5K run/walks.
This is a super fun should-not-miss event, with awesome costumes, barbecues, snacks, socialites and entertainment. Also new this year is that all participating wineries along the race routes will available for tastings and wine purchases! And Sky Helicopters will have a sweet mountain tour as one of the many prizes.
Don’t want to say I “sampled” too much wine at the pit stops last year, but around the 13K mark I decided (while wearing a Batman costume) to enter my first half marathon in 35-plus years, which actually happened with the completion of RunVan’s sold-out First Half Half on a very cold Vancouver day in early February.
Last year, a lady dressed as a devil helping her friend adjust her angel costume, asked this blogger if I knew what brings out the devil in her. Before I could answer she screamed: “Add wine and cute men and look out!” Pretty sure that was the first time I was left speechless, albeit offering her a big glass of wine did cross my mind!
The event raises funds for the Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities, the largest therapeutic horseback riding facility in B.C., serving over 175 clients each week with a wide range of challenges.
For more information and to enter this memorable event click HERE.
Burnaby Central Park has been the location of races and sporting events in the past and will be a perfect venue for the inaugural Rainforest Trail Run. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Sunday | Sept. 29
10 a.m., Swangard Stadium, Burnaby Central Park
Website:rainforesttrailrun.com
The inaugural 5K run, organized by the Achilles International Track and Field Society (founders of the Vancouver Sun Run), is designed to embrace active lifestyles and celebrate the health and vibrancy of the Indigenous cultures on whose territory we live, work, and play.
Some of the highlights for this new addition to the Lower Mainland run calendar include Aboriginally-designed finisher medals, music, food and face painting.
Picturesque Central Park, which is an awesome place to run or walk, is on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People.
Participants are also encouraged to wear an orange shirt for this event to to commemorate the generations of children who attended the Indian Residential Schools. The initiative is an opportunity for healing through truth and reconciliation. Orange Shirt Day is recognized annually on Sept. 30.
Rain or shine, the North Van Run 5K and 10K road races are well worth the time and effort. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Sunday | Sept. 29
8:30 a.m., The Shipyards, North Vancouver
Website:northvanrun.com
If you’re looking to set a 10K or 5K PB, this mostly flat, scenic race may be the place to unleash your inner beast. And finishing at the end of the 200-metre long pier at The Shipyards is the money shot your social media platform(s) needs!
All participants in this year’s event receive North Van race shirts and sweet finisher medals, including the kids in the 1K event. There are a number of crew teams taking part, plus the event features pacers.
Craig McMillan (33:09) and Lissa Zimmer (38:40) won last year’s 10K, while Paul McNamara (16:12) and Robyn Mildren (17:04) were the 5K winners.
Super pacer Karen McCullough, in charge of the 30-minute 5K crew last yeare, promised a big chocolate chip cookie if I could break the 30-minute mark, something I hadn’t done all year. And, believe it or not, I got to the finish line in 29:59 — and still waiting for my darn cookie!
Racers stretched before tackling MEC’s half, 10K and 5K races at Garry Point Park in June. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Sunday | Sept. 29
7:30 a.m., Garry Point Park, Richmond
Race No. 5, the final leg of the Vancouver MEC road race series includes a 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon.
Garry Point Park, where the Forever Young 8K was held its first two years, is a flat and fast trek along the Steveston dyke, and the MEC crew does a good job looking after its participants in all distances. The marathon is also an official Boston qualifier.
The marathjon starts at 7:30 a.m., followed by the half at 8:30 a.m., the 10K at 8:45 a.m. and 5K at 9 a.m.
For more information, or to enter, click HERE.
FOOTNOTES: I’ll feature more upcoming events in the weeks ahead, and will have coverage next week of the fifth Forever Young 8K. Embrace life.
Gotta run …
EPIC PHOTO LEFTOVERS
Langley running coach and good friend Sandra Jongs Sayer, in her first full marathon, takes a selfie as she passes the 36K marker in last month’s Revel Chilliwack Marathon. She finished the first-year-event in five hours and 27 minutes.
Local runner Jonathan Peacock went to Gimli, Man., last month to take part in a 10-mile road race. Turns out Gimli is home to the largest Icelandic community outside of Iceland and they host the big festival Islendingadagurinn. Peacock was happy to get his picture taken with a Manitoba Viking. Jonathan’s wife, Jackie, also took part in the race.