Track and Field Articles By Christopher Kelsall

Copyright – 2009 – Christopher Kelsall   In 1968 at the age of 21, Amby Burfoot won the historic, B.A.A Boston Marathon. John J. Kelley, who at that time, was the most recent American to win Boston, 11 years prior, happened to be his coach at Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton, Connecticut. Therefore Amby’s win at Boston held personal significance on several levels. December of that same year Amby ran the prestigious Fukuoka Marathon in Fukuoka, Japan and finished 1 second off the American marathon record with his 2:14:29. Amby added:  “Fifth in 2:14:29, one second off Buddy… more »

  © Copyright – Christopher Kelsall - 2009 There is a stirring of athletes and involved personalities, gently rustling the jib of the Canadian cross-country scene. This is happening right now at a well-known Canadian running forum. The parties appear to be organizing, in their attempts to sway Athletics Canada (AC) brass to hand over management of the national cross-country team to them, at least for one year. The proposal? Well it is in the works as they say, swirling in virtual dialogue. The athletes, coaches and interested parties appear to be developing their mission schematics  in ad-hoc discussions; the… more »

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© Copyright – 2009 – Christopher Kelsall Three time Olympian, Kevin (Sully) Sullivan has run 32, sub-4 minute miles. He currently holds the NCAA indoor championship record of 3:55’33. During his varsity career at the University of Michigan he accomplished 14 All-American honours and currently holds the Canadian records for the mile and 1500m distances. Sully was very close to medalling in the Sydney Olympic Games, finishing 5th in the 1500m final. He has competed in at least 10 IAAF World Cross-Country Championships, Commonwealth Games and many other international competitions. At age 35 Kevin, as you will read below, continues… more »

© Copyright – 2009 – Christopher Kelsall   On June 16th, Black Creek’s Cam Levins finished 2nd over-all in the British Columbia Provincial 5k Road Race Championships on a challenging and hilly, double-looped course. He finished in the time of 14:53. Friday, August 14th he won a local 5000m event in 14:09 - The Black Press 5000. Interestingly, he ran faster during his summer build-up than he did at the end of his NCAA Division 1 track season. Following that August 14th performance in Victoria, B.C. he flew to the other end of the country to Prince Edward Island where… more »

© Copyright – 2009 – Christopher Kelsall I remember watching Ryan Hall race the 2008 Beijing Olympic Marathon and thinking to myself that he seemed to be putting in a great effort and really just hanging on to the pace. He was not demonstrating that mystique he exuded in past races, like during his previous efforts in the New York and London marathons. He went out hard that day in Beijing, in very warm conditions – the type of race that apparently does not suit him.He recently told Peter Gambaccini during his Runner’s World online interview:“It wasn't the most enjoyable… more »

© Copyright – 2009 – Christopher Kelsall  As the saying goes, nice guys finish last. Twenty-nine year old Scott Simpson is an athlete and physiotherapist, plying both trades in Victoria, British Columbia. Originally from Sackville, New Brunswick, Simpson is one of the nice guys in our sport, but sometimes he finishes first. He is, at least on the outside, the epitome of sedate when flicking his ankles striding-out during his warm-up, in and out of the race corral. Thrice this year, I found myself warming-up, passing Scott back and forth. Moments before the gun sounds, I like to go up… more »

© - Copyright - 2009 - Christopher Kelsall Athletes who train by the Arthur Lydiard method most often perform well over a vast range of distances and enjoy long, prosperous running careers. The method has proven effective when applied properly, so much so that now Lydiard athletes come to expect the promise of versatility and longevity.   Twenty-two year old Lindsay Allen is in the early days of her post-collegiate career, she joined the elite world when she ran the 10th fastest steeple time in US history during her first full Lydiard cycle. She did this under the tutelage of… more »

© - Copyright – 2009 – Christopher Kelsall The Arthur Lydiard Phenomenon - A method of any other way could only be of a lesser standard.Certainly no other endurance pioneer, no matter how successful, could possibly have experimented with or applied as steadfastly in their toil as Lydiard did. Not Percy Cerutty, not Emil Zatopek, nor even Bill Bowerman set research and application parameters as high as he did.Keith Livingstone recently gave the legend full-on credit by writing the book, Healthy Intelligent Training, The Proven Principles of Arthur Lydiard. When famed Oregon coach, Bill Bowerman received a special medal from… more »

© - Copyright – 2009 – Christopher Kelsall I WAS DOWN ON THE TRACK watching the Victoria Track Classic, wondering (as writers of athletics often will) what's up with a particular athlete these days. I noticed Geoff Martinson holding court shortly after his 1500m win, he was with friends who were leaning over the white railing that separates the spectators from the stadium track; they were laughing, he was entertaining the troops shortly after his 1500m Invitational win. Geoff is one of the good guys of sport. He may soon qualify to run internationally for Canada, until then, he can… more »

(C) Copyright - 2009 - Christopher Kelsall Gary Reed is one of the fastest 800m runners in the world. Currently he possesses a personal best of 1:43.68, which happens to be the Canadian record and a time that is considered fast by anyone’s measure. He also owns a 4th place performance he achieved at the 2008 Olympics from Beijing, China and a silver medal from the 2007 IAAF World Track and Field Championships that took place in Osaka, Japan. The world record by his hero Danish (by way of Kenya) runner, Wilson Kipketer still stands at 1:41.11 from August 24th… more »

(c) Copyright - Christopher Kelsall - 2009 June 16th 2009 – Chemainus, BC – 25th annual Twilight Shuffle - BC Road 5k Championships.  The 25th annual Twilight Shuffle 5k took place in Chemainus, British Columbia under ideal race conditions. Ryan McKenzie of Victoria, BC (Langford) won the race and set a new course record with his finishing time of 14:23. Second place went to Cam Levins of the Comox Valley, BC and third to Richard Mosley of Coquitlam, BC. In the women’s race 42-year-old Lucy Smith of Victoria won, breaking the Canadian Masters record of 17:02, finishing in 16:49. Following… more »

(c) Copyright - Christopher Kelsall - 2009 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 - personal best. Results from the men’s 1500m race are below, full event results are available at www.trackclassic.com. The… more »

© Copyright – Christopher Kelsall – 2009 Jason Loutitt has lived just about everywhere in western Canada. He was born in Trail, British Columbia where his father played Jr. Hockey. He grew up in Uranium City, Saskatchewan until he was 8, Edmonton, Alberta for another 8 and yet another 8 years were spent in Winnipeg, Manitoba serving with the Canadian forces in the Army. Loutitt also attended University in Winnipeg and has called Fort McMurray, Saskatoon, Chemainus, Victoria, Regina, Vancouver, Shawnigan Lake, Canmore, Banff and now Duncan, BC on Vancouver Island 'home'. He has moved 37 times in 35 years.… more »

  (c) Christopher Kelsall - Copyright - 2009 The first Black Press 5000 (5 kilometre) race took place at the Jack Wallace Memorial Track (Oak Bay Track - Victoria, BC) May 15, under sunny skies and mild temperatures. The main event featured one of Canada’s top runners, Victoria's Ryan McKenzie who runs for Pacific Athletics. Ryan owns an impressive 5000m personal best time of 13:35. He won the Black Press 5000 in 14:02. Second place went to Scott Simpson. Both Scott and Ryan are preparing for the Canadian National 10,000m championships, which happen in Toronto, Ont., June 25 to 28… more »

(C) Copyright - 2009 - Christoper Kelsall Alex Genest who happens to be the Canadian Junior record holder in the 3000 meter steeplechase will be moving to Guelph, Ontario this spring, to continue his studies in Human Nutrition at the University of Guelph for the 2009/2010 school year. Genest also the 2007 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Cross Country MVP, may suit up for the University of Guelph Gryphons in 2010 after sitting out a year due to transferring. Meanwhile Genest just may help the Speed River Track and Field Club’s steeplechase team, become the strongest steeplechase team in Canadian history.… more »

The 20th annual Times Colonist 10k (TC10k) took place Sunday, April 26 under sunny skies, mild temperatures with nearly no wind. The race conditions were perfect. The 25th annual Vancouver Sun Run (also 10k) happened the Sunday before on April 19th. The TC 10k race Kenyan Willy Kimosop training in Lethbridge, Alberta won both the Vancouver Sun Run and the Victoria Times Colonist 10k in back-to-back efforts. The latter in 29:29 taking down countryman and fellow Lethbridge Kodiak, Kip Kangogo by 44 seconds and local, Vancouver Island (Victoria, BC) athlete Ryan McKenzie by a further 8 seconds with his finishing… more »

(c) Copyright - 2009 - Christopher Kelsall  Vancouver Sun Run (10k) – Vancouver, BC - April 12, 2009 – The 25th annual Vancouver Sun Run takes place Sunday, April 19, 2009 in Vancouver. Approximately 60, 000 participants are expected to register for the event, which boasts one of, if not the fastest 10k road race courses in Canada and possibly North America. Athletes looking for a fast road race can count on a flat route with few turns and a very quick, downhill first mile. The Vancouver Sun Run is the 2nd largest timed 10K in the world and the… more »

(C) Copyright - Christopher Kelsall - 2009 Steve Osaduik had a rough 2008. After years of dominating the local race scene (British Columbia)and at the same time developing a seemingly ever-improving running resume, he finally experienced his first running injury of note. Although Steve has raced on occasion through the recovery process and often with decent results, he was ‘off’ and there was no denying it.  After reaching a peak of sorts during the 2006 Royal Victoria Marathon, breaking the 27-year-old course record and running, at that time, the fastest Canadian marathon for the year of 2006 with a 2:16:47 result,… more »

© Copyright – 2009 – Christopher Kelsall Martin Fagan broke the Irish half marathon record on Saturday, March 14th finishing in 60:57. He was racing the Fortis City Pier City half marathon in The Hague, Netherlands. Martin bettered the 21-year-old national record of 61:00, previously held by the legendary John Treacy. During the race, Martin led world marathon record holder Haile Gebrselassie and a handful of Africans through 10k, clocking a 28:34 split, he passed through 5k in 14:12. From 10k on the Africans took over. Martin finished strong achieving a top 5 position and finishing within a minute of the… more »

(C) Copyright - 2009 - Christopher Kelsall I read the book “My Life on the Run” by Bart Yasso, the Mayor of Running, for clues to its relevance to his public image as defacto race ambassador at Runner’s World Magazine. I am happy I did, because, in many ways, the memoirs are a constant reminder echoing his life’s transition from misdirected youth to sub-elite runner and adventurer, to the present in how far he has come as a person. According to Bart, life’s journey is about how far we have come, not in how fast we run through it. For… more »

(C) Copyright - 2009 - Christopher Kelsall Maurice (‘Morris’) Tarrant of Victoria, BC holds or has held 48 Canadian age-group road and track records spanning distances from 3,000m to the half marathon. He turns 80 in less than a year from now (January 4th 2010) and will continue to tear apart the Canadian record books.  At 75 years of age Maurice ran the Bazan Bay 5k in Sidney, (just outside of Victoria) finishing with a time that when calculated on the WAVA age-grade calculator works out to 14:17, which neither past winners Dave Milne, Graham Hood, Scott Simpson, Jim Finlayson… more »

(c) Copyright - 2009 - Christopher Kelsall   Keith Livingstone, from New Zealand recently published a new book about an old training method, writing it in today’s language. He has taken the famous training method of the late and incomparable Arthur Lydiard and modernized it so everyone can understand the theory and application fully in a book he calls, Healthy Intelligent Training or H.I.T for short.   The Lydiard method may have produced dozens of international medals for New Zealand, Finland and several other countries, the method also is the training practise of many times that number of runners who wish to… more »

(C) Copyright - 2009 - Christopher Kelsall With a Commonwealth Games appearance and a 2:32 marathon personal best, Nicole Stevenson has been one of Canada’s elite marathon runners since 2002. Coached by Hugh Cameron, Nicole transitioned from a middle distance runner to a marathoner smoothly, able to maintain fairly low-mileage training while working full time for a Pharmaceutical company in marketing. Coach Hugh is the head coach with the Brooks Canada Marathon Project in Ontario, which enables Canada’s best runners to maintain their focus on their training and he is doing so with good success. Martin Goulet, Chief High Performance… more »

(c) Copyright - 2009 - Christopher Kelsall The first of two long runs I had done with Kelvin Broad were over 20 miles and included a group of fellow runners of varying abilities (I was the most variable of all). We ran through the mossy rain forest outside of Victoria, British Columbia over hills and through chest-deep Salal. I think we crawled through a blackberry bush and witnessed the collapse of a bridge, while our run leader (Bob) stood knee-deep in the creek wearing an ear-to-ear smile. Later in the run, sometime after the 17 mile mark or so and… more »

© Copyright – 2008 – Christopher Kelsall   Some things that exist in this universe we accept and expect just as they are, like the daily ebb and flow of ocean tides, the changing of the seasons and the proverbial pedestals of which we mount our heroes upon.   On that point, we can all agree that Pele is the finest football player in history, Gretzky the greatest in hockey and perhaps Jordan is to basketball what Woods is to golf. In mountain running Jonathan Wyatt is the world’s greatest, there simply is no disputing this fact.     Wyatt owns… more »

(C) Copyright - 2008 - Christopher Kelsall ______________________________________________________________________________________ RESULTS December 17, 2008 **Note 14 of the top 20 finishers used craft (micro) brewery beer. *Ice and snow on the track slowed results. ______________________________________________________________________________________ Dave Smart Beer Mile – Victoria, British Columbia  - December 16, 2008 - The fifth annual Dave Smart Beer Mile takes place tonight at the Jack Wallace Memorial Track in Victoria, BC at 6:30 pm PST – 9:30 pm EST. Victoria runner, Jim Finlayson holds the current and official world record for the Beer Mile, which he set in 2007. Jim ran and drank to a blazing time… more »

(C) Copyright - Christopher Kelsall - 2008 Sir Richard Branson, entrepreneur, adventurer and founder of the Virgin Group of companies, is delighted to be a part of the London Marathon, so-much-so that he signed one of his business ventures, ‘Virgin Money’, to a £17million, five-year commitment to be the title sponsor of the event.Virgin Money is commited from 2010 to 2015, which includes the highly anticipated 30th anniversary race. Branson said, “it's an epic and inspirational event and raises a fantastic amount of money for great causes. It's the single biggest fundraising day on the planet and we want to make… more »

(C) - Copyright - Christopher Kelsall - 2008 AGSI Canadian Cross Country Championships – Saturday, Nov 29 2008. - For the AGSI Canadian National Cross Country Championships there is currently a few centimeters of snow on the course and the forecast is for temperatures to hover around the freezing mark. For best results long spikes are advised. There are 739 confirmed entrants to date from across the country, most however, are from the Province of Ontario. Some of the top seeds contesting the Men’s senior race are: Dylan Wykes, ON Steve Osaduik, BCSimon Bairu,  SaskEric Gillis, NSJoel Bourgeois, NBJames Gosselin,… more »

(C) Copyright - Christopher Kelsall - 2008 In this age of highly acute environmental consciousness, I have become hyper-aware of what I throw out and what I recycle. Sometimes while performing this household duty, I get into an argument with myself: Thinking: Should I or should I not dump 20 liters of hot tap water into this plastic peanut butter jar to clean it so the plastic can be recycled? Myself: Yes, because the sea-life (where my tap water goes) would like to feed on hydrogenated oils. Me: Or should I just chuck it in with the waste and let… more »

(C) Copright - 2008 - Christopher Kelsall Constantina Dita (previously Tomescu-Dita) grew up on a farm surrounded by hills and the Romanian Carpathian Mountains. She would spend much time outside running for fun, chasing livestock, being free during the Nicolae Ceausescu communist dictatorship. At the age of 19, she was too busy in sport to notice her hero, middle-distance runner Maricica Puica, speak out on television, in favor of the revolutionaries in their attempt to overthrow the government of the day. Constantina had Olympic dreams. As it turns out, Constantina Dita, is the first European woman to win the Olympic marathon… more »

(C) Copyright - 2008 - Christopher Kelsall The British Columbia Athletics, Provincial Cross Country Championships take place this Saturday October 25th in Vancouver, BC. The BCs have been run every year since 1949. For 2008 Vancouver Island’s, Prairie Inn Harriers are sending some of the province’s top male athletes to contest the men's open division. The Athletes: Jon Brown Jon Brown has a solid history racing cross country at a world class level. Recently he ran well on the roads, in the UK, competing in the BUPA Great North Run, Half Marathon, finishing with a time of 1:03:36. Jon’s half… more »

(C) Copyright - 2008 - Christopher Kelsall  Victoria, BC – Royal Victoria Marathon - Sunday, October 12, 2008 - The 29th Annual Royal Victoria Marathon (RVM) was run in perfect weather conditions while Victorians got to see Steve Osaduik of Langley, BC take his third consecutive title on this course. Osaduik is the course record holder with a 2:16:49 from 2006. He was racing Sunday after a lengthy break with injury and managed a 2:25:31 off of a 1:11:08 first half split. Steve continues to look for an IAAF World Championships in Athletics 'Berlin 2009' qualifying time. Jason Terauchi-Loutitt from nearby Shawnigan Lake, BC… more »

(C) Copyright - 2008 - Christopher Kelsall BUPA Great North Run – October 6, 2008 – Newcastle, UK – Canadians Jon Brown and David Jackson raced the BUPA Great North Run, half marathon Sunday, October 6, 2008 under sunny skies, leading the largest half marathon field in the world with 52, 000 participants. Brown of Victoria, BC finished 11th over-all with a time of 1:03:36, splitting 10k in 29:59 and 20k in 1:00:27. Brown is preparing to race the 62nd annual Fukuoka International Open Marathon Championships, which takes place Sunday, December 7, 2008 in Fukuoka, Japan. Jon Brown owns a… more »

(C) Copyright - 2008 - Christopher Kelsall Royal Victoria Marathon – September 30, 2008 – Victoria, BC – Women’s course record on the line at the 2008 Royal Victoria Marathon. Women's record Cheryl Murphy of Victoria, BC may take down the Royal Victoria Marathon (RVM) course record Sunday, October 12, 2008 when she races the 29th annual event. She is looking to continue running well in anticipation of the 12th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin, (‘Berlin 2009’). Murphy’s debut marathon performance was outstanding, Saturday March 1, 2008 at the Snickers Marathon Bar, Marathon in Albany, Georgia. She finished 2nd to… more »

(C) Copyright - 2008 - Christopher Kelsall Frankly, it surprises me to no end why women are not waving their collective fists in the air, voices united in song, harmoniously belting out the chorus of Aretha Franklin’s classic, 'Respect'. Why it is women are not demanding equal treatment in regards to cross country racing distances, baffles me. I half expected someone to chain themselves to the wrought iron gates of the offices of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) worldwide headquarters by now. They do have wrought iron gates, don't they? In collegiate, national and international cross country racing,… more »

(c) Christopher Kelsall - 2008 - All Rights Reserved. As I understand it and because I may have made this up, for us long distance runners, each pound we are over our optimum weight, we are penalized 2 seconds per-mile when racing. If my calculations stand up to the scrutiny and you happen to be in the unfortunate position of being say 10 pounds over optimum weight, you would race 20 seconds per mile slower than your best. Multiply that by 6.2 miles and you have...well you do the math, I can't concentrate. Speaking of weight, refined carbohydrates are after… more »

(c) Christopher Kelsall - 2008 - All Rights Reserved. You may remember Colin Jenkins, the Canadian triathlete who celebrated finishing the Beijing Olympics Triathlon more than any other athlete did. He was joyously demonstrative running down the home stretch, motioning to the crowd to cheer more as he ambled in - and cheer they did! Yet Colin was finishing dead last. Considering this, you may wonder why he was celebrating so much. For those of you who may not follow triathlon very closely, Colin was celebrating because he had just done his job as instructed, to the letter. Like in… more »

(c) Christopher Kelsall - 2008 - All Rights Reserved. September 4th, 2008 - Athletics Alberta - Athletics Alberta, The Running Room and Saucony officially announced today through Athletics Alberta's, website (www.athleticsalberta.com) a new pilot project for fall 2008, The Saucony, Run Alberta Cross Country Series. The series is presented by Athletics Alberta while Saucony and The Running Room are the main sponsors. Goals are to: Increase awareness of cross country in AlbertaTo encourage mass participation in cross country runningProvide a series of 5 competitive races for aged 18+ cross country athletes. Races are located close to the major population centres in the cities of Red Deer, Edmonton,… more »

Victoria, BC - August 23, 2008 - Jack Wallace Memorial Track - The 2nd Annual Harrier's High Performance Invitational took place under perfect summer conditions, no wind, mild and with a start time of 8:00 pm PST, cooling temperatures. The primary event, (although three distances started together), was the 10,000m race between David Jackson, Jim Finlayson and Todd Howard all of Victoria and Jason Warick of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan who DNF'd. All are tuning up for a crack at an autumn marathon where they will attempt qualifying for the Marathon World Championships, which will take place in Berlin, Germany. Warick explained after the race… more »

(c) Christopher Kelsall - 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Victoria, BC - Saturday, August 23, 2008 - Harrier's High Performance Invitational 10,000m, 5,000m and 3,000m. For the second year in a row this low profile race will take place at the Jack Wallace Memorial Track in Victoria, BC (Oak Bay).Dave Jackson, Todd Howard, Jason Warick and Jim Finlayson are all preparing for fall marathons and their first attempts at the minimum 2009 World Championship standard of 2h18'00". Dave Jackson is returning to defend his title. In 2006 and 2007 he ran Varsity for the University of Victoria Vikes. Jackson is back training for the fall marathon… more »

(c) Christopher Kelsall - 2008 - All Rights Reserved Although Dave Scott-Thomas is not an official Canadian Olympic Team Coach (Athletics), rather Varsity with the University of Guelph Gryphons, he is in Beijing anyway. Scott-Thomas is there to view the track action and discuss pre-race strategy with rising stars, Eric Gillis and Taylor Milne, who have already competed in the 10, 000m and 1500m respectively - by the time of this interview submission.   Oddly, getting a hold of Scott-Thomas is easier while he is in Beijing than when he is at home in Guelph, Ontario. Perhaps he has more free… more »

For a fleeting moment the idea of asking Jon Brown a thousand more questions crossed my mind. I could have, but Flotrackians would assign me to ice-fishing in Siberia aboard the good ship, Skidoo and Mr. Brown would see me off at the aeroport applauding my exit. So we kept this one short(er).    Distance running is a simple sport. It may not be easy, but it is a simple sport nevertheless. Well meaning coaches and athletes may attempt to complicate the training that is required to run well however; success often boils down to compounding years and years of… more »

The legend and the legacy of Arthur Lydiard is alive and well. Perhaps the method he developed over a 50 year period is more popular today than when he coached Olympians directly or headed various national governing bodies of sport throughout the world. From New Zealand’s greatest athlete ever, Olympic Gold medalist and world record holder, Dr. Peter Snell to Finland’s legendary Lasse Viren, Lydiard’s influence was widespread and the success of it was undeniable. Since his passing in 2004, while on tour in the US, 4 time Olympian Lorraine Moller and Nobuya ‘Nobby’ Hashizume, one of the most knowledgeable… more »

Well is anybody completely miffed, yet?I hear a collective yawn from the general populace. Yes this is how we create apathy towards track and field in Canada, we let desk dwellers prairie dog in their cubicles entertaining each other with poor decisions.Canada will be represented at the Olympics in track by Gary Reed and Achraf Tadilli in the 800m. Taylor Milne and Kevin Sullilvan in the 1500m and Megan Metcalfe in the 5000m, that’s it!Congratulations to the above named individuals, who are truly great athletes and representatives of our country, may they achieve career bests.But what about the other athletes… more »

Should you be fortunate enough to walk onto the track and witness, up-close, a 27:18 10, 000m runner, put out 10 near-perfect and even 1km repeats off of 60” rest (not sure how fast 2:40?) you may want to pay attention. Sure he will make it look easy, as he runs just as smooth-like in the first repeat as he manages during the tenth, appearing to coast, that is until he grabs his knees after; yes the talented work hard too.   One day I was on the local track running a few mile repeats. Also on the track were a dozen… more »

There was a stretch of time (for a couple of years) where on occasion, while running around some local lakes, a runner would approach at an alarming speed. I could instantly deduce who she was even as a mere spot in the distance. Her form was so flawless that there was only one person it could be. The process of elimination was instant. This is saying something as the trails of greater Victoria are many and the runners of all levels are everywhere.   As the space between us would dwindle, a quick nod is all that would transpire as… more »

Victoria International Track Classic - Thursday June 19, 2008 - University of Victoria, Centennial Stadium - The annual Track Classic as part of the PacifiCanada Track Series attracted a few bonafide stars in the Canadian track and field scene. Canadian record holder in the Shotput from Kamloops, BC, Dylan Armstrong entertained the crowd by narrowly missing the Canadian flag that was flitting lightly in the very gently breeze. It was set as a marker, indicating how far he needs to throw to take down the Canadian record. He didn't, but he threw well, almost taking down the meet record and… more »

Phidippides the Athenian foot-messenger left a legacy that grows greater each year and is propagated by the millions of people who now participate in marathon races all over the world.   In 490 BC, Phidippides was fighting for democracy, when he ran back-to-back ultra-marathons; two days each way, to ask the Spartans to help fight a war for democracy against the Persians and return with their answer.   His inaugural marathon, delivering the news of victory, after back-to-back ultras, killed Phidippides; he was a martyr of sorts. Thus sport has become one of the greatest political arenas.   Roman god,… more »

Victoria International Track Classic - Thursday, June 19th 2008 – Victoria, BC – University of Victoria, Centennial Stadium -  The Victoria International Track Classic is quickly becoming the most successful in the event’s 20 year history.   Interest from spectators, sponsors and athletes alike has grown for the 2008 edition of the ‘Track Classic’ including having to close entry to athletes in record time.   "We are really excited about the 20th Anniversary edition of the Victoria International Track Classic. We have had phenomenal interest from all around the globe," said Race Director, Gillian McHaffie.   They are:   USA,… more »

Is American marathon runner John Little of Flagstaff, Arizona completely off his rocker? Is he delusional and possibly suffering from a bout of post marathon illusory psychosis? He just may be! He also may be fully and completely correct with his assertion that Canadian Olympic marathon standards are set too high by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Athletics Canada (AC). Of course John has nothing to lose by saying so when he talks to the Canadian press about his feelings on the subject.John Little, in not so many words, told the press that he was speaking on behalf of… more »

The ING Ottawa Marathon organizing committee made a stand-up effort to bring in a crop of athletes very capable of taking down course records, especially in the 10k and the Marathon. With good prize money and Athletics Canada naming the date of Sunday May 25th as the final opportunity for Canadian men and women marathoners to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, the race was stacked with an elite field of Canadians and internationals. Riding in the second media van, armed with a Nikon D70 and a love for all things competitive, especially marathon running, I enjoyed observing the marathon unfold… more »

Since I have become wholly interested in the work of Arthur Lydiard, I stop in my tracks and take the time to read anything that happens to have the Lydiard name attached to it. Whether discussions develop in a thread about the Lydiard method on a running forum or talking directly to people who knew or were influenced by the man, reading online documents, books and magazines, one is able to educate themselves on the Lydiard method. The information is available. It is protected and preserved by the Lydiard Foundation, but very available, like Arthur was. Interpretation and applicaton however,… more »

Anticipation is mounting leading up to the ING Ottawa Marathon as it looms large on the calendar of any Canadian marathon runner hoping to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. Athletics Canada (AC) and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) set the precarious date of Sunday, May 25th 2008 for Canadian men and women to achieve the necessary marathon Olympic qualification standards. ING Ottawa Marathon happens to take place on this drop dead date. Therefore Ottawa becomes the de facto, Canadian Olympic, Marathon Trials. So far there are no Canadians to hit the required marathon standards, which are set a level higher… more »

Lisa Harvey is a Canadian who loves to run and compete. She ran in high school, and later varsity for the University of Calgary Dinosaurs in Calgary, Alberta. Lisa represented Canada in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 1991 IAAF World Track and Field Championships, competing in the 10, 000m. She has also run for Canada in the World Cross Country Championships, World Half Marathon Championships, Pan-American Games winning bronze. And competed in many other events over the past 19 years. Although her personal best 10, 000m is reported to be 32:22 by the IAAF, she is sure it is 32:40;… more »

Zach Whitmarsh toils on the Jack Wallace Memorial, Oak Bay High School track. Marley, his dog canters back and forth from the infield to the start area and back, taking splits. "What breed mix is Marley?" Zach writes: "Marley is a pound dog. As far as we can tell he is a Shepherd-Collie cross. There may also be a bit of Burmese in him, he's a big-pawed dawg and he'd probably weigh another 20 pounds if he didn't get in the 50 miles per-week he's gotten used to." Meanwhile some local, longer distance ectomorphs gut out a low-key invitational race,… more »

Eric Kiauka races the Esquimalt 8k in (Esquimalt) Victoria, BC, just another local road race where a few hundred runners, joggers and walkers join in on the somewhat hilly, summer offering. He comfortably sits in with the small, lead pack made up of David Jackson and Steve Osaduik, two guys capable on any given Sunday of completely disheartening their comrades-in-sweat. When Eric rounds the final corner with them, he drops a little high octane petro into the thrusters and extricates himself neatly into the chute, no longer the comrade-in-the-pack, he becomes the formidable foe with the killing kick. Kiauka grew… more »

Results are up here. Streaming video, viewable here ________________________________________________________ Victoria, BC - Times Colonist 10k - April 25, 2008 - 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… more »

Kirsten Sweetland, aka 'Sweets', who was raised on Vancouver Island, primarily in Nanaimo and Victoria, is about to take on the world. Well, she has already taken on the world and has come out on top, with some bumps and scrapes along the way. Now however, she is about to embark on her 2008 triathlon season with an eye on the big prize of Beijing. Kirsten is of the generation of triathletes mentored through the Kids of Steel (KOS) program. Rather than being a swimmer or cyclist or runner who turned to triathlon, she is a triathlon purist. She started… more »

Every single part of Steve Archdekin's afflicted body hurts like hell. From his head to his toes, his knees, elbows, hips, ankles, shoulders, neck, his entire skeleton aches all time. His face, skull, toes and nose are in a constant state of pain. Well except for his nose. "The only place on my body that doesn't hurt is my nose; I have long since forgotten what it is like to simply not hurt." Steve's face hurts when he smiles, but he smiles all the time, especially in the middle of a triathlon. His tendons hurt too; his muscles, connective tissue,… more »

Should you be tasked in choosing an individual who, in toto, represents the running doctrine of greater Victoria, past, present and future, you would choose Bob Reid. Bob is a cog and a catalyst to the sport of running in Victoria, yet he stands tall amongst the most dedicated of volunteers. Whether being front and center raising thousands of dollars to purchase green space land for people to enjoy uninterrupted forested lands, assist elite athletes to make their all important qualifying race overseas or doling out bee sting ointment to a weekend warrior, out at the lakes, Bob Reid is… more »

Competitive middle and long distance running in North America and Europe is apparently waning under a cloud of mediocrity. Oh sure there are the Ryan Halls and Deena Drossins running on the edge of greatness, but it is the depth of that apparent greatness that is of greatest concern. As we navel gaze, we often enter into debates about lifestyle, genetics, environment, role-modeling and alternative sporting diversions as causes and effects of the apparent mediocrity. I am sure each and every reason is valid however, one often overlooked cause could be the lack of coolness of jogging - in the… more »

I first met Jasper Blake when it was suggested I get him out to speak at a learn-to-run clinic. My contact said, "he is funny, speaks well and the chix dig him." Even though getting a hold of Jasper was tougher than swatting a fruit fly in a gale, with a straw. I did manage to get him out to speak and the chix did dig him for sure. I think a guy or two dug him as well, which really cramped the whole 'let's focus on our form today,' speech I delivered. Since then Jasper has only been visible… more »

Irishman Paul O'Callaghan competed in six World Cross Country Championships, qualified for the Olympics and wore the green from 1982 to 2003 on the road, track and in cross country. As his website indicates, in 2006 he continued to run well, smashing the Irish Master's 10, 000m record with a time of 30:38. That year, Paul emigrated to the west coast of Canada to Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island. Since then he has focused on coaching others and is starting to see signs of success. The coach Recently I have had the opportunity to observe Paul coach his athletes. I… more »

The Hills are Alive. "Cross-country has always been a vital part of my training program. You can develop fine muscular endurance and suppleness in your stride by running cross-country. It also develops good running form and strengthens your muscles. In cross country the pressure is put on your muscles because of hills and uneven and slippery footing, your overall general conditioning can be developed without taxing your body too much anaerobically. So cross-country is one of the best forms for general conditioning." ~Arthur Lydiard In heavily forested Thetis Lake Park, 10 minutes from downtown Victoria, the rolling trails are where… more »

Cheryl Murphy has no time for small talk and less time for interviews, she's a busy woman. To engage her in rambling soliloquies of yesteryear is akin to a Martin Scorsese, jacked full of dark Americano, writing his Masters Thesis on the migratory patterns of Giant Aldabran tortoises. Suffice to say, I sped-emailed her in machine-gun, rapid-fire succession, only to wait three days for each bare bones response. So it was with her next-to-final message (probably a reluctant one) that I didn't even read, but clicked 'reply' and typed, "while you are on the PC at this very moment, can… more »

The B$ factor explodes this time of year; wicked fulminations of unadulterated bovine excrement are disgorged, exciting the masses. Myths are created, lies are spewed and the marketing that festered all year in the advertising cesspool, may now be leeching into your television set, internet, radio, billboards, magazines, competitive events, newspapers, buses, windows of mini-vans (as tax write-offs) and anywhere, where messaging may be promulgated. I am fully in support of creative advertising methods and stimulating marketing concepts, it's become a bit of an art, Andy Warhol notwithstanding. For all of you who made a New Years resolution a couple… more »

Marilyn Arsenault (Mar) is a transplanted easterner by way of the provinces of Ontario and Quebec (collective gasp) who now lives in and loves the west coast, specifically Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island. Mar is a Soprano who studied at McGill University and le Universitie de Montreal in Montreal, Quebec and is now looking forward to completing her Masters degree at the University of Victoria. For now though she is full-time in the political science department at UVic, undertaking serious running training, and committed to vocal studies with renowned teacher, Selena James. Twice recently, I have been blessed to steel… more »

Say you want a revolution/Well you know /We all wanna drink your beer. ~JL You see people out on their daily walk or jog. They carry their water bottles or have affixed an apparatus around their middle to store it. You know the contrivance, the ones which resemble the Atlas Missile Silo. Or more fascinating is the propensity to garnish oneself with a bat utility belt. Loading the contraptions to the hilt, which are manufactured so they may contain enough armaments to fuel the entirety of the Chinese army, during a Russian Vodka revolution. Okay I will wear one, but… more »

Rod Dixon holds court 5 minutes from downtown Victoria in a rain-soaked, gravel parking lot at the back of the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. He has an enraptured audience; a handful of early-arrival runners who have come to spend 6 hours listening to him talk about the finer details of training. He is here as a representative of the Lydiard Foundation, along with co-founder Nobuya, 'Nobby' Hashizume. On first meeting Rod Dixon at 6:30 a.m., one would be remiss to blame him for being a bleary eyed guest however, he is anything but that. After all, he is a much… more »

Six year old Eric is playing basketball in his backyard, he takes a few wobbly shots, some actually hit the backboard, while most graze the net and make it whiff as if the wind caught it. None go in, but Eric keeps trying, because Simon said it was a good idea. One shot deflects off the edge of the backboard and caroms into the cedars, it wedges firmly between branches; I help him retrieve the ball. Suddenly in a spasm of joy, he remembers what happened at school earlier in the day. He looks up at me as I hand… more »

Catching up with Steve Osaduik. Here you can find out what Steve is up to and his training for a marathon this spring, as he attempts to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. And what's with all those Chihuahuas? I meet up with Steve, on my lunch, for a 60 minute run on the oceanfront. We agree on meeting in Beacon Hill Park, which provides an open view of the snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. 21km of the Juan de Fuca Straight separates Canada from the US in a chasm of green-but mostly blue, gently… more »

I first met Diane Cummins at the track, what are the odds? My son (then 9) and I were enjoying the Victoria International Track Classic at the University of Victoria, Centennial stadium, May 25th 2001. It was a cool, breezy evening and Diane had just handily run away from her competition in an 800m race, easing to a 2:04. One of the best parts of Vic International is heading onto the track and meeting world class athletes immediatley after the competition ends. When we got down onto the track, we caught up with Diane first. We found her to be,… more »

We have always known top level runners to conduct workouts in lightweight trainers or racing flats. Now, finally there appears to be a growing trend towards minimalism in running footwear and the marketing of it. If so, I'm already sold on the concept! Chaos theory and the Butterfly effect aside, runners attempt to ride that sometimes elusive, 'elevated sense of well being', by controlling it. Runners supplement it by eating well, sleeping optimum quantities, training smart and avoiding stressful situations, but is that enough? When it comes to the lower extremities, especially the feet, there exists a certain lack of… more »

Vancouver Island, a paradigm of rolling waves of coniferous, temperate rain forest, envelopes hundreds of miles of trails, sheltering runners beneath a canopy of thick moss and evergreen, perfect for running year round. Catching up with Vancouver Island's own Steve Osaduik, locally known as 'Oz' and more importantly as Canada's second fastest marathon runner, regarding this Sunday's (January 13th) race, the Pioneer 8km in rural Victoria BC. The Pioneer 8k is the first race in the Vancouver Island Race Series, directed by the local Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club www.pih.bc.ca. Oz has run as fast as 23:39 on the course,… more »