© Copyright – 2026 – Athletics Illustrated
The second race of the 2026 Vancouver Island Race Series, The Cobble Hill 10K, ran Sunday, January 25, with Vancouver’s Louis Maruk (VFAC) winning in the time of 30:24. Meanwhile, Canmore, Alberta’s Alison Mcpherson took part in the race while visiting family in Nanaimo. She won in a new personal best time of 35:44.
Maruk broke at the gun, leading a string of chase packs in his wake. Maruk kept up the effort to the finish line, never relinquishing the lead. It was redemption for the Ugandan, who two weeks prior had the lead in the first race of the series, the Pioneer 8K and momentarily went off course. He was, however, beaten by University of Victoria Vike Jaxon Kuchar by a fair margin. They finished in 23:33 and 24:09, respectively.
At Cobble Hill, Maruk made no mistake and took the win by 57 seconds over Speedfarm’s Brandon Vail. Taking third was Vail’s teammate Thomas Oxland in 31:46. Both are former University of Victoria Vikes. For Vail, it is his second silver in as many years at Cobble Hill.
The top 40-plus master winner was Andrew Russell with the Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club. He finished in a time of 32:11 and fifth overall.
For Mcpherson it was a 50-second PB.
“For me, it was nice just to be able to race on dry pavement on a fast course again,” said Mcpherson. She is used to training at elevation and up and down mountains. Canmore rests at the base of Alberta’s side of the steep Rocky Mountains and is a town known for endurance sports.
Chloe Hegland and Anya Gretchko took second and third in the times of 36:56 and 36:58, respectively. Hegland is a former UVic Vike.
Kate Guy was the first masters runner. She competes in the 45-49 age group. Guy clocked in at 38:52.
Maruk and Mcpherson will both race the Vancouver First Half Half Marathon in February. Maruk will also race the Vancouver Sun Run and BMO Vancouver Marathon. “I hope to go around 2:17 or 2:16 in the marathon and 1:06 or 1:05 in the half marathon,” said Maruk.
Sixteen women ran under 40 minutes. Fifty-four men ran sub-37:00.
