© Copyright – 2017 – Athletics Illustrated
Lethbridge, Alberta’s Kip Kangogo took in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon with the sole intention of winning it. He came, he won and he told Athletics Illustrated’s social media correspondent Margaret Buttner, “I came here to win my sixth race, so I kept that in my head and took control at the 18K mark.”
That’s when he began to put pressure on Vancouver’s Dylan Wykes. They finished first and second in 1:05:35 and 1:05:53, respectively. Third was Thomas Toth who finished nearly three minutes back at 1:18:02. He is from Lakefield, Ontario but now lives in Plaistow, N.H. Toth was selected by Athletics Canada in the spring to compete in the 2017 IAAF World Track and Field Championships.
North Vancouver’s Craig McMillan was the first master across the line, finishing fifth overall in the time of 1:14:25.
Sixty-seven hundred other runners took in the 19th running of the popular race to mark another sell-out.
One of them was Toronto’s Lindsay Tessier who won the women’s race. She came in seeded fourth. She crossed the finish line in the time of 1:17:00, however, the chip time read 1:16:59, oh for the want of a free second off the clock.
“I love this race,” She said. “The organizers do a great job and I appreciate all the support along the course,”
Dayna Pidhoresky of Vancouver finished second in 1:18:10. She was recently named to Team Canada to race in London in the marathon event at the world championships.
Bellingham’s Courtenay Olsen finished third in 1:20:47.
Bend, Oregon’s Charmion Freifeld was the first master and sixth female and 35th overall in the time of 1:24:01.
The Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon is a fast course, with a flat start, a big downhill portion, the second half is rolling. The temperatures in Greater Vancouver reached at least 26 near the water and warmer inland.
The Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon is part of the seven race series called the Canada Run Series, which includes events in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. The series is capped by the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
The accompanying 5K results are listed below. The Scotiabank Charity pledge program raised over $970,000
5k Results
5k Male
1. Sterling Ginther – Victoria – 16:15
2. Mark Wilkie – Vancouver – 16:29
3. Randall Kippen – Vancouver – 18:38
5k Female
1. Catherine Watkins – Vancouve – 17:41
2. Kate Gustafson – Vancouver -18:01
3. Stéphanie Racine – Victoriaville, QC – 19:20
