Black Press 5000

(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 --- an event in the Canadian Track and Field Championships. Canadian Olympic team triathlete Kyle Jones placed 3rd with an impressive personal best by 7 seconds, finishing in 14:37.3.

“Ryan (McKenzie) ran the second half of the race eight seconds quicker than the first half, which is a sign that he is probably even fitter than the result indicates,” says Bob Reid who was helping British Columbia Athletics officials with the race.

The evening was marketed as a two race event, an All Comers and Elite men’s race, but 19-time Canadian champion Lucy Smith registered, hoping to break the Canadian masters (40+) record, which would require her to run a 16:40 and compete in a women’s only race.

An elite women’s race was added at the last minute, which included Vancouver Island master athlete Nancy Baxendale, top-level Canadian triathlete Lisa Mensink (who happens to be coached by Lucy Smith – both are Lifesport athletes) and the opera performing diva, varsity running (Univeristy of Victoria Vikes) and top-level master’s runner Marilyn Arsenault.

Lucy started off conservatively and built her lead in the middle stages of the race, while Marilyn started off a little quick for her own liking, backed off after the first lap, then made a strong push in the latter portion of the race closing in on Smith, finishing in second ahead of Mensink.

“I think on another night I could have done it (masters record), but I am happy with my race,” said Smith after finishing in 16:57.

The gun sounded at 7 p.m. to start off the first of three 5,000 meter races. The 7 p.m. race was open to the public and a fundraising event for the Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay.

The open race came down to an exciting sprint finish between master Darren Skuja from the Comox Valley and Mark Ritchie the former taking the race. The excitement continued as Rui Batista battled Pierre Ballester over the final straightaway to virtually tie, all finishing within 30 seconds of each other.

The evening also featured, Vancouver Island soccer phenoms, sisters Sophie and 12 year old Chloe Hegland who owns two Guinness Book of World records for juggling a soccer ball with the most touches in 30 seconds and 60 seconds. Chloe juggled 339 times in 60 seconds in front of Guinness officials to enter their storied pages.

Also in the main event were Canadian Forces 5 mile champion Walter Cantwell and Irish Olympian Paul O’Callaghan, who possesses a 13:29 personal best. Several other strong runners from Greater Victoria including middle distance runner Trevor O’Brien, who is best known for pacing Nanaimo’s Steve Osaduik through the first 20 miles (32kms) of the 2006 Royal Victoria Marathon where Osaduik broke the 30 year old event record in 2:16:47.

The event was supported by the Sticky Wicket, Island Runner, Activa Sports Therapy and Prairie Inn Harriers.

5,000 Metres - High Performance Women

Pos. Name Club Age Time Halfway Split

1 Lucy Smith Lifesport/PIH 42 16:57.2

2 Marilyn Arsenault UVic/IRR 41 17:29.8

3 Lisa Mensink Lifesport 32 17:54.8

4 Nancy Baxendale Prairie Inn Harriers 47 18:28.3

5 Chloe Hegland Peninsula Track 12 19:37.5

5,000 Metres - High Performance Men

1 Ryan McKenzie Pacific Athletics 30 14:02.8 7:10.2

2 Scott Simpson Prairie Inn Harriers 29 14:21.7

3 Kyle Jones Prairie Inn Harriers 24 14:37.3

4 Trevor O’Brien Pacific Athletics 30 15:22.8

5 Ian Hallam Prairie Inn Harriers 37 15:48.8

6 Paul O’Callaghan Prairie Inn Harriers 44 16:16.4

7 Walter Cantwell Prairie Inn Harriers 41 16:39.6

8 Simon Dejongh Pacific Athletics 30 16:52.9

9 Gord Christie Prairie Inn Harriers 47 16:58.0

10 Mike Lord Prairie Inn Harriers 37 17:27.7

5,000 Metres - All-Comers Women

1 Sophie Hegland Peninsula Track 14 25:29.1 12:33.3

2 Christine Thate Prairie Inn Harriers 50 30:13.6

5,000 Metres - All-Comers Men

1 Darren Skuja Comox Valley RR 47 17:58.2 8:59.7

2 Mark Ritchie Prairie Inn Harriers 41 18:04.8

3 Pierre Ballester Island Road Racers 45 18:41.9

4 Rui Batista Prairie Inn Harriers 48 18:41.9

5 Edward Hill Unattached 37 21:09.9

Chris is a member of the Lydiard Foundation

Contact: chriskelsall@flocasts.org 

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