Kenyan Willy Kimosop and Poland's Karolina Jarzynska Win TC10k
Kenyan Willy Kimosop and Poland's Karolina Jarzynska Win TC10k
Victoria, BC – Times Colonist 10k – May 1, 2011 – Willy Kimosop of Kenya and Simon Whitfield, two-time Canadian Olympic medalist, batted for over 9k on the brand new course in the 22nd annual TC10k. Kimosop prevailed in the end to win for the second time in 30:22 to Whitfield's 30:26.
Karolina Jarzynska who will run for Poland in the marathon at the 2012 London Olympics, defended her 2010 Women’s TC 10K title by winning again Sunday in the time of 32:54. Natasha Wodak of Vancouver, BC finished 2nd in 34:18 and 3rd female finisher was Kenyan, Lucy Njeri who is currently based in Toronto.
Whitfield, Matt Clout and Kimosop ran together for 8kms before Clout faded a little to finish 3rd overall in 30:43. Whitfield hung onto Kimosop through 9k, before Kimosop put on a surge for the win.
“I love the new course, it is better than last year and 2009,” said a pleased Kimosop shorly after finishing.
The leaders ran the first km splits in a conservative 3:07 and 3:01 before picking up the pace on a long and gentle downhill with the next two being in 2:55 and 2:56 respectively. The three passed through half-way in 15:10.
Top three master winners were, Kevin O'Conner of Vancouver who finished in 31:41. Victorian, Craig Odermatt finished 2nd in 32:25 and 3rd was two-time Olympian Bruce Deacon of Victoria, BC in the time of 32:42.
Top three female master athletes were, Lisa Harvey of Calgary, Alberta in 35:21, narrowly besting 19-time Canadian Champion and 6-time winner of the TC10k Lucy Smith who finished in 35:24. Meghan Strothers of Victoria placed 3rd in 39:09.
Winner of the wheelchair division was Michelle Stilwell of Nanoose Bay, BC in 35:09, 2nd was James Hustvedt of North Vancouver in 38:24 and Alvin Lee in 49:21.
There were 10,206 finishers in the 10k race, 207 in the competitive walk event and 7 in the wheelchair. For a total of 10, 420 finishers not including the kids race. There were over 13, 096 total participants in all events.
Sunny skies, lack of wind and cool-to-mild temperatures provided a stunning backdrop to the brand new course that was designed to allow more room on the streets for the single, mass start as well as to remove the 180 degree turnaround which was located near the half-way point.
Contact Chris: chriskelsall@flocasts.org