Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Abbotsford Run For Water 10K, 2013


I was over in Vancouver last weekend (May 26th) for the Abbotsford Run For Water 10K race. There is also a 5K, Half and Full Marathon as well, which attracted almost 5000 runners to come out and race in the rain. The forecast was decent, but ironically it was very very wet... plenty of water for everyone!

Before the race started I ran into Paul O'Callaghan, also from Victoria, who was doing the race announcing. It was great to see a friendly face as I didn't think I knew anyone else from Victoria who was racing. Plus I love the energy he brings to the job!

In my pre-race scouting I knew that last year's winner Yue-Ching (in 34:48) was registered to race again, but I was excited to find out that I had narrowly beaten him at the Sun Run by 9 seconds (35:18 to 35:27). If no one else faster showed up, perhaps I had a chance to battle for the win!

Before the race started I was disappointed to see that Yue-Ching hadn't picked up his race package... perhaps he didn't like the rain? But that didn't last long because at the start line he appeared right beside me wearing a different bib number (in the white singlet in the middle). Apparently they couldn't find his at the race expo!
We had a nice chat, and joked around with another runner Jin (on the left in the USA tank top) who turned out to be a friend of his, and looked pretty ripped.

When the race started I was in the small lead pack of 5 or 6 runners. By the time we had looped back to the starting street (Bevan Ave) at 3K, the lead pack was just 3 runners - me, Yue-Ching and Jin. The pace was comfortable at around 3:37/km, and we were talking and joking around. Jin looked behind and announced that the top 3 places were now decided (us), and he would happily take 1st. Soon after he put in a small surge and I jokingly yelled "I see the race tactics have started!". He replied with "Well you see I've been training with the Kenyans, and that's how we do it".

Around 4K Jin yelled back at Yue-Ching (who was hanging behind us by a few steps, and wasn't joining in our friendly banter) - "Yue-Ching - why so out of breath?". I think that may have been a mistake, because soon after Yue-Ching blew by the two of us and quickly opened up a 50m lead as we ran away from the start along McDougall Ave. Jin turned to me and said "Uh oh, I think the race is over". We both picked up our pace and tried to gain some ground back. The course goes gradually downhill at this point until the turnaround (at 6.5K), and we didn't gain an inch despite dropping our pace to 3:16 from 5K to 6K. At this point Jin pulled away from me and I let him go, reassuring myself that I would be fresher for the uphill on the way back.

Around 6.5K there was a sign warning us that the turnaround was ahead, and then 100m later another larger sign saying "10K Turnaround". But the volunteer at that sign was busy directing a car out of the way, and wasn't ready for us. So unfortunately Yue-Ching who was leading kept running past the turnaround (maybe 50-70m?), and Jin also went too far. When I got there a few seconds later and ran past (blindly following the leaders) the volunteer yelled "10K turn around is back here guys!". I immediately turned around, as did the other two, and suddenly I was in the lead! But for some reason it didn't feel right taking advantage of their mistake, so I slowed my pace slightly and let them catch me. In no time both of them went flying past with Yue-Ching quickly re-gaining a similar sized lead as before - maybe 50-100m. Hmm, perhaps I shouldn't have slowed!

As we climbed up the steeper uphill section I pulled even with Jin, and with 2K to go it flattened out so put in a surge to try and gain some ground. It didn't work, but it did cause Jin to fall off the back. The runners going the other direction were very vocal cheering for us, it was pretty cool.
The finish line was visible from a long way off, and I was still way behind Yue-Ching. I knew at 500m I had to start going otherwise the race was over. The spectators (despite the rain) were amazing at cheering for me, yelling "You can catch him!".

So I started sprinting with about 400m to go. When I was right behind him with 200m to go and gaining fast I thought perhaps I might actually do it, but when I pulled along side he glanced over at me and then easily shifted gears, pulling ahead. I had no response and he crossed the line 2 seconds ahead of my time of 35:40. Part of me is annoyed I didn't try to catch him earlier, but the more rational part of me knows that he deserved to win and was the faster runner on the day. Plus it was my second fastest 10K ever, and considering the conditions I am very happy with my time. My half way splits were really solid too - about 17:55 on the way out, and 17:45 on the way back - so another strong negative split race!

Full results here.


Here is an amazing video of the race highlights and some neat scenes of Africa. My finishing fade out is at 1:45.

Envision Financial Run for Water 2013 Race Day Video from Run for Water.


In the other races, the marathon was won by David Palermo in 2:35 (who I believe dropped out of Vancouver/BMO part way, so a good result), just edging out Ryan Prachnau in 2:37. I heard that Jason Loutit was running, but I didn't see him finish so maybe he dropped out. Mike Janes had a great marathon too, finishing in 14th overall in a time of 3:06:02. That is nice redemption for him after having bad luck at BMO a few weeks ago.

The half marathon was won by David Jackson again, easily cruising to victory in a time of 1:10:53. This was his 4th race in 6 weekends, and he said he plans on racing Whistler next weekend too! Care Nelson also had a great race in a strong women's field, placing 2nd in 1:22:40.

The 5K (which is called a competitive "fun run") was run through the trails around Mill Lake Park. I don't think there were any runners from Victoria, but did have some fast times for a windy course with 3 people finishing between 17-18 minutes.

Overall it was a very well organized event, lots of good food after the race (yogurt with granola on top!), a nice finisher's medal, and nice shirt/hat/socks in the race package. And the atmosphere was great too, especially considering the inclement weather.

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