The Vancouver Island Trail Running Series kicked off the 2016 season on April 9 with a stop at Cobble Hill.
The first event in the six-run series included two distances: the 12-kilometre short course, and the 21km long course — known as the Gutbuster in honour of the series’ former name.
First place out of the 124 runners who finished the short course went to Matthew Winkler, with a time of one hour, eight minutes and 51.9 seconds. In second place was the Ceevacs Roadrunners’ own Cory Ramstead at 1:09:01.0, while Warren Beattie placed third at 1:10:35.3.
The top female runner, at sixth overall, was Shawnigan Lake’s Nancy Baxendale. The second female runner was Brittany Brooks at 1:19:04.5, followed by Katja Tinnemann at 1:24:16.5.
Isaac Allen of Shawnigan Lake School was the first men’s U19 runner at 1:22:00.3, and Mady Martin, also from Shawnigan, was the first women’s U19 runner at 1:24:45.0.
A total of 87 runners completed the 21km Gutbuster, led by Derek Vinge and his time of 1:48:42.5. Shane Ruljancich was second at 1:49:15.2, and Andrew Russell placed third at 1:52:39.9.
The first female runner at the longer distance was Lindsey Chamberlain, who placed 12th overall with a time of 2:16:16.5. Cheryl Davies was next at 2:24:05.5, and Tara Pollock was third at 2:27:29.4.
The second race in the series will take place at Mt. Tzouhalem on May 7.
Other races are scheduled for Western Speedway, Transfer Beach, Mount Washington, and Burgoyne Bay.