With Kenya’s Kip Kangogo leading the way through the streets of Vancouver, more than 4,350 runners from eight provinces and 20 countries took on the 11th annual Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon under Sunday’s (June 28) sunny skies.
Racing between the University of B.C. and Stanley Park, Kangogo finished more than a minute ahead of the runner-up in the men’s half-marathon with his time of one hour, three minutes, 35 seconds. He beat out fellow Kenyan Willy Kimosop, winner of this year’s Vancouver Sun Run and Times Colonist 10K, and his training partner in Lethbridge, Alta., to cement the win.
Lioudmila Kortchaguina of Thornhill, Ont., cruised to an even easier victory on the women’s side, winning the title by a nearly two-minute margin with her time of 1:16:10.
A contingent of Whistler and Pemberton runners posted strong showings, with Pemberton’s Paul Vacirca leading the way with his time of 1:27:27 for fifth in the Men 45 to 49 category.
William Huckvale finished 29th in the Men 20 to 24 age group with his time of 1:45:26, and Albert Kurniadi finished 58th in that category.
Gregory Camirand finished 19th in the Men 25 to 29 age group with his time of 1:28:41, and Keenan Deringer finished 215th in the same category. Pemberton’s Daniel Cindric finished 96th in the division with his time of 1:48:19.
Laura Pulleyblank’s time of 1:45:26 put her 35th in the Women 25 to 29 category, and Suzann Rowden wound up 60th in the Women 30 to 34 age group with her time of 1:50:26.
Chris Gamel finished 45th in the Men 50 to 54 group with a time of 1:46:48. Pemberton’s Jennifer Glavas and Carlee Howell finished 52nd and 54th, respectively, in the Women 30 to 34 age group, posting times of 1:49:00 and 1:49:05.
Liz Brownlie posted a time of 1:51:41 for 59th in the Women 40 to 44 age group, followed by Chrissy Robinson’s time of 2:13:24 for 174th in the category. Leanne Niewerth finished 93rd in the Women 45 to 49 group with her time of 2:03:43.
Taralyn Day posted a time of 2:24:03 for 288th in the Women 30 to 34 age group, followed by Karen Thomson’s time of 2:26:42 to sit 11 spots back.
