© Copyright – 2012 – Athletics Illustrated
UPDATED: March 5th, 2012. 4:15 PM PST.
Sidney, BC – Sunday, March 4th 2012 – Two course records were smashed in a competitive race today at the Synergy Health Management Bazan Bay 5k road race in Sidney, British Columbia.
The new course was positively received by the athletes.
Canadian IAAF World Track and Field Championships competitor (1500m) Geoff Martinson raced to a new men’s course record with his improvement on Canadian Olympic triathlete Simon Whitfield’s record time of 14:36. Whitfield is an Olympic Gold and Silver medalist. Martinson’s time was 14:20 on a brand new, flat and fast course. He said, “it was a great course, perfect for a fast run given its flatness and the course being in a straight line.” Martinson is seeking a spot on the Olympic team in the 1500m distance.
Martinson led into a slight headwind from the start, ahead of Olympic triathlete and second place finisher Brent McMahon with his finishing time of 14:44 and several University of Victoria Vike team members including third overall finisher Dylan Haight, who finished in 14:48. “Gotta love running along the ocean, how many races get that kind of scenery,” said Martinson.
The women’s overall winner Malindi Elmore, is also seeking a Canadian Olympic team spot in either the 1500m or 5000m distance. Today she showed her fitness by winning by a large margin and setting a new course record of 15:48, Elmore shared, “The course was great. It was beautiful along the ocean. A nice flat course that went by very quickly!”
Dylan Haight said, “I really liked the course, it is nice and flat, so I could just get into a rhythm pretty quickly and not worry too much about being off pace.”
Top three overall women were, Hilary Stellingwerff in 16:32, who hopes to qualify for the London Olympics, also in the 1500m distance. Third woman overall was Ellen Pennock and first master was Marilyn Arsenault, both finishing in 16:54.
First master male finisher was Victoria’s Ian Hallam, who finished in 15:31.
The Bazan Bay 5k is race number five of the eight race Vancouver Island Race Series.
Full results are available at the website www.racedaytiming.ca
Top-20 overall.
Place Div/Tot Div Guntime PerF Name Club Nettime
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1 1/33 M2529 14:20# 907 Geoff Martinson 14:20
2 1/32 M3034 14:44 883 Brent McMahon National Triathlon Trainin 14:44
3 1/22 M2024 14:48 879 Dylan Haight Vikes 14:48
4 2/33 M2529 14:58 869 Benjamin Thistlewood Point Grey Track Club 14:58
5 3/33 M2529 15:00 867 Andrew McCartney National Triathlon Trainin 15:00
6 2/22 M2024 15:07 860 Josh Clouthier Vikes 15:07
7 4/33 M2529 15:08 859 Samuel Pawluk Point Grey Track Club 15:08
8 5/33 M2529 15:10 858 Andrew Russell National Triathlon Trainin 15:10
9 3/22 M2024 15:16 852 Doug Oxland 15:16
10 6/33 M2529 15:18 850 Sean Chester Aspire Running 15:18
11 1/27 M1619 15:24* 845 Patrick Psotka Vikes 15:24
12 7/33 M2529 15:25 844 Nicholas Walker Frontrunners Athletic Club 15:25
13 1/44 M4044 15:31* 838 Ian Hallam Prairie Inn Harriers Runni 15:31
14 1/28 M3539 15:35* 835 Shane Ruljancich Prairie Inn Harriers Runni 15:35
15 2/27 M1619 15:38* 832 Joel Deschiffart Bastion Running Club 15:37
16 4/22 M2024 15:39 831 Carlos Lesser Livefit Coaching 15:39
17 3/27 M1619 15:41* 829 Russell Pennock 15:41
18 8/33 M2529 15:42 828 Greg Critchley Kronos Triathlon Club 15:42
19 5/22 M2024 15:43 828 Jeff Phillips National Triathlon Trainin 15:43
20 9/33 M2529 15:45 826 Dylan Gant Point Grey Track Club 15:45
21 1/41 F3034 15:48# 943 Malindi Elmore Speed River 15:48
Check back soon to view race videos and interviews.
