The Harriers Pioneer 8k is the first race of the VIRA Island Race Series. It will be taking place at 11:30am tomorrow (January 12, 2020) in North Saanich. The Prairie Inn Harriers host this event.
This race has been taking place for over a decade longer than I have been alive! It now attracts Olympians, elite runners, passionate running fanatics (like myself), recreational runners and the weekend warriors.
I put myself in the “passionate running fanatics” category because I’m not fast enough to be elite, but I run too much during the week to be called a weekend warrior and I talk about running all the time.
There are definitely good reasons why the running community embraces this opportunity toe the startline.
I’m not going to lie, the Harriers Pioneer 8k sometimes makes me nervous because it takes place so soon after the holidays. While the race itself is awesome, typically, during holidays, I don’t run or exercise as much leading up to the event. I also eat all the delicious treats that I can get my hands on. But hey…we are all human, right?
Reasons why I opt run it (even when I don’t feel ready to “race”):
1. It serves as a baseline assessment of my fitness level.
I set new goals every year but I never expect to achieve them within the first month because building running fitness properly while staying injury-free takes time. Therefore, I run the Harriers Pioneer 8k every year because it’s a great way for me to evaluate where I’m at in the beginning of the year. I recommend everyone do this race to see where they are at.
2. It’s a great way to kickstart your New Year’s fitness routine.
Community races serve as motivation to keep training, especially on days when the weather is not ideal for running outside. However, events like the Harriers Pioneer 8k get me out of the house and off the couch regardless of the weather.
The VIRA Island Race Series has always been one of the best things about the winter time because it motivates me to keep moving even on the cold, dark, rainy and windy days.
3. Meet new friends and reconnect with old ones.
Here’s the truth: running events are a major part of my social life. As people, we are social creatures and we connect best with those who share common interests. Therefore, it makes sense for me to show up and keep showing up. I’m passionate about connecting with other members of the running community because it feeds my soul.
Great to see friends at the Harriers Pioneer 8k
About the Harriers Pioneer 8k course
The parking and bag drop off is at North Saanich Middle School, which is at 10400 McDdonald Park Rd. Since there is limited space for parking at the school, it is advised to park at the Tourist Information Centre where volunteers will direct you, or permission has been granted to park at the Canadian Tire (10300 McDonald Park Road).
The race starts and finishes at the Tourist Information Centre. Access to the start is via the pedestrian overpass at the Pat Bay Highway.
This course is both fast and flat.The highest elevation is approximately 30m and the lowest is just under 10m. With a total elevation change of approximately 20m over the entire course, you have the potential to get a personal best.
It is run on quiet rural roads, providing participants with stunning views.
Above: Map of the Harriers Pioneer 8k 2020
First, take a left turn onto John Rd. The first km is a gentle downhill, so this is where many of us have the tendency to start too fast.
Then, turn left on to Wilson Rd for a very gentle (barele noticeable) incline to Mills Rd.
After that, take a left turn onto Mills Rd and then left again onto Littlewood Rd. Then, take a right onto Glamorgan Road, where you will be less than a km away from the turnaround.
The turnaround will be well marked, so there will be no way for you to miss it. The 4km marker will be near the turnaround.
Finishing last year’s Harriers Pioneer 8k. Photo by Joseph Camilleri.
Once you turn around, you will head back the exact same way to get to the finish line.
A few tips for running the Harriers Pioneer 8k (for first timers)
1. The first km looks like a gentle downhill, which means that it’s very easy to start too fast. You may want to start a few seconds per km slower than your desired goal race pace so you don’t burn yourself out in the first km. At the same time, if you are ahead of pace, don’t beat yourself up because it takes time to learn how to pace yourself properly.
2. Maintain a conservative pace until the turnaround. Between km 1 and 3, there is a very gentle incline but you won’t notice it unless you ran the first km way too fast. Naturally, the turnaround forces people to slow down a little bit. Therefore, I like to coast until after the turnaround so that I don’t waste too much energy from needing to put on the brakes only to try to accelerate again after a sharp turn.
3. Try to pick up your pace after km 5. After km 5, you are more than halfway to the finish, which is a good opportunity to speed up if you have the energy for it.
4. Take advantage of the longer, straighter and flatter parts of the course. The small changes in elevation should be hardly noticeable if you don’t start too fast.
5. Really though, you should just enjoy it. If this is your first time running a VIRA Island Race Series event (or any race for that matter), then you should enjoy it. Take in the beautiful views of the countryside, breathe some fresh air, make new friends. Don’t worry so much about your time or your pace and just run. Last year, I didn’t run my fastest time, but still enjoyed it.
Still haven’t registered?
If you haven’t yet registered for the Harriers Pioneer 8k, you can still do it tomorrow between 9am and 11am (bring cash), but make sure you show up a bit earlier if you want to run.
If you see me there, please say “Hi” and if you have a moment, I would love to hear what you want to read about when it comes to running.
If you have any questions for me about running, please send them my way!