From sister publication: Victoria Sports News
© Copyright – 2016 – Victoria Sports News
The Victoria International Running Society (VIRS) announced the appointment of Joe Dixon as the Race Manager and Executive Director of the Society, the hosts of the Times Colonist 10k and the Victoria International Track Classic, today.
The Track Classic is part of the National Track League that provides opportunities for Canadian and international athletes the opportunity to race in Canada. The TC10k is on one of the largest 10K races in Canada with approximately 10,000 participants annually, taking in the late April race. The Track Classic often happens in late June or early July at the University of Victoria’s Centennial Stadium.
According to the VIRS media release, Dixon comes to the event with a wealth of experience and a common sense approach. Dixon was the Race Director of Ironman Canada for five years and currently is the race director for the Dynamic Race Events triathlon series consisting of races on Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and the South Okanagan. Dixon started his race organizing career as a volunteer committee and board member with the Kelowna Apple triathlon in 1999.
Ironman Canada took place in Penticton, BC and was used by many Canadians to qualify for the Kona World Championships that happens in October.
“I am both excited and honoured to have been chosen for this position”, said new Executive Director Joe Dixon. “To be given the opportunity to produce not just the TC10K, but also the Track Classic, two long standing events with such rich history. I look forward to working in the community with sponsors and partners to continue to produce these events to the standards to which their participants have become accustomed while also bringing new ideas to help grow the event as it approaches its 30th anniversary in 2019.”
“The Victoria International Running Society is excited to have Joe Dixon join our team”, said Society president Chris Siver. “Joe’s extensive background in event management and his connection to the running and walking community makes him an ideal fit to build on the successes of the events the Society hosts and improve upon them in years to come.”
Both events have suffered in attendance in recent years, with the Track Classic having difficulty selling tickets, despite it being a marquee event in the Canadian track and field scene. Road racing seems to have reached a peak and is now shrinking each year throughout North America.
If Dixon is to grow either event, he will be working against the grain of international trends. Track and field has suffered greatly over recent years due to doping and corruption at the highest ranks.
The Victoria International Running Society (VIRS) is a not-for-profit society that presents athletics events and supports the sport of running in Greater Victoria. It stages the TC10K and the Victoria International Track Classic.
