The 2019 edition of the VIRA Island Race Series wrapped up about two weeks ago. Every year, from January to April, hundreds of runners of all levels toe the line to experience some of the best road running on Vancouver Island.
The VIRA Island Race Series offers events for everyone, from new runners who are attempting a certain distance for the first time to seasoned veterans who do dozens of races a year. Many of the VIRA Island Race Series events also host elite runners and even Olympians.
The VIRA Island Race series features a variety of distances from 5k to half marathon. Each race has chip timing, awards and draw prizes, not to mention a great atmosphere.
My participation in the VIRA Island Race Series goes back to 2013, when I raced the Cedar 12k for the first time. After that, I was hooked. To date, I’ve run 39 races over the past 7 years of taking part in this series alone.
However, my numbers are small compared to those who have been taking part in this series for over 30 years and have done nearly 200 races. To put it in perspective, some people have been participating in the VIRA Island Race Series longer than I’ve been alive!
After all, there have to be valid reasons why runners keep coming back year after year.
From my experience, I think it definnitely has a lot to do with the atmosphere, age group awards, amazing draw prizes, chip timing as well as the reasonable entry fees.
If you signed up for the whole series when registration first opened up, you could have done all 8 races for less than 200 bucks. How awesome is that??!!
I’m thankful to be a part of this community. Whenever I’ve had runners come up to me and tell me that they enjoyed my preview or recap of each race-I am overjoyed.
I want to help runners have a great race so that they, too, fall in love with it as much as I did. I hope that runners learn from all the races that I didn’t do well in (either by eating the wrong things, often on purpose, or starting too fast because I can’t hold in my excitement).
I also hope that my previews are helpful because I let runners know ahead of time what to expect at each event. I don’t hold anything back, except, sometimes, I start a race too slow (which rarely happens because I usually bust out of the gate even when I know better).
My brief summary of the 2019 VIRA Island Race Series:
1. Harriers Pioneer 8k
The Harriers Pioneer 8k was the first race of the series. For an early January Sunday morning, we could not have asked for better weather this year. I ended up finishing slightly faster than the 2018 edition of the race, placing 3rd in my age group. My time was 34:53.
Harriers Pioneer 8k. Finishing strong and being happy in the process. Pic: Joe Camilleri
2. Cobble Hill 10k
At the Cobble Hill 10k, the weatherman was nice to us, once again. It was my first Garmin-free race in years! I had no idea how fast I was going but I started way too fast! I came to my senses and slowed down a bit. Towards the end, I sped up a bit and ended up finishing in 42:58. Not my best time, but it was good enough for 3rd in my age group.
Cobble Hill 10k. I first posted this photo on Instagram with the caption: “What am I thinking the moment this pic was taken?” It got a bunch of interesting comments, which was exciting! The truth is that all I was thinking was that the clock said 42:xx and I couldn’t see the rest, so it is “GO time”. Photo by: Joe Camilleri
3. Hatley Castle 8k
The Cedar 12k was supposed to be next, but it got rescheduled due to bad weather. Therefore, the Hatley Castle 8k was the 3rd race this year. It was a cold Sunday morning. I ran this one slow because we ended up having 3 races in a row and I knew I needed to recover.
This was just before the finish at the Hatley Castle 8k. I always find myself sprinting to the finish beside someone else who is also wearing a blue shirt. It’s a different person each time, but nevertheless they seem to always wear a blue shirt. Photo by Lois DeEll.
4. Cedar 12k
The Cedar 12k went well for me. I (and many other runners) thoroughly embraced the new course. I was extremely overjoyed to place 1st in my age group and was the 7th woman (out of 156) to cross the finish line.
Just cruising along at the Cedar 12k. This was before I noticed my friend passing me soon.
5. Port Alberni Paper Chase 15k
The Port Alberni Paper Chase 15k was my best racing experience this year (so far). For the 2nd time in my 7 years of racing the VIRA Island Race Series, I finished in the top 3 for the females (overall). The first time that happened was in 2015 at the Comox RV Half Marathon, where I ran a massively shocking PB. This year though, I placed 2nd overall (for the females) at the Port Alberni Paper Chase 15k, winning my age group in the process. I felt strong and fit for the first time in quite some time.
Showcasing my Port Alberni Paper Chase 15k 1st place age group medal.
6. Comox Valley RV Half Marathon
This year’s Comox Valley RV Half Marathon was a very humbling experience for me. While the first 7km went reasonably well for me, I struggled for the last 14k. I even considered dropping out and had to use every ounce of will to keep going. I ended up finishing just slightly under 1:42, which is miles off my best time. Miraculously, I placed 2nd in my age group.
Comox Half Are Group Awards. Photo by: Joseph Camilleri
7. Tristars Sooke River 10k
Then, it was time to race the Tristars Sooke River 10k. I admit, after what happened in Comox a couple weeks before, I was a bit nervous to toe the line. I had no expectations but deep down wanted to redeem myself after Comox. I ended up finishing the Sooke River 10k in 42:53, which is better than last year’s 44:04. I ended up winning my age category and finishing 7th overall for the women (out of 131).
Running with Peter at the Sooke River 10k. You can kind of see him beside me. I’m happy with my form here. Photo by Ken DeEll
8. Bazan Bay 5k
The Bazan Bay 5k was the last race of the series. It was a classic case of “you snooze-you lose” because I showed up late and I had to search for a parking spot a few blocks away from the race venue. In this case though, I literally snoozed and lost out on a parking spot near the venue. That’s what I get for sleeping in and I have no one but myself to blame! As for the run itself, I started a bit too slow and there simply wasn’t enough distance for me to make it up.
Just after the start of the Bazan Bay 5k 2019. Photo: Ken DeEll
Final thoughts and final results:
I am thrilled and GRATEFUL that I took 1st overall for my age group in the whole series because I ran enough races to qualify for series awards. The top 3 overall age group finishers all got Frontrunners Gift cards.
VIRA Island Race Series Age Group Awards 2019. Photo: Lois DeEll
I didn’t get any PBs this racing season yet, but I have had a number of races that went well and showed progress in the right direction.
Right now, given everything else I’m doing, I’m happy to still be able to run these times but I know I can do better. I haven’t done much speedwork since 2015, which makes sense because all my PBs were in 2015.
Looking back, I still can’t believe that I managed to win 1st place in my age category for the whole series a total of 4 out of the 7 years that I’ve been participating.
Who would have thought that when I first started running many years ago (prior to doing the VIRA Island Race Series), I could barely run a block without stopping?
Then, as I improved over time, I was excited to hit milestones such as 30 min 5k, 25 min 5k, sub-20 min 5k, 60 min 10k, 50 min 10k, 45 min 10k, 2 hour half marathon, 1:45 half marathon, and sub 1:30 half marathon.
Therefore, if you are a beginner reading this, you can see that I am exactly like you. I have good days, bad days and absolutely amazing days.
If you are a beginner who is already running the VIRA Island Race Series, you are already starting out way ahead of where I was when I started. I never gave up no matter what. I may slow down. I may have hard days. However, I just keep showing up.
I urge you to keep running.
Keep connecting with amazing people. Make new friends. Enjoy some great post-race food.
Lastly, you missed out this year-don’t worry.
The registration for the 2020 VIRA Island Race Series will open up in the fall of 2019. So, keep an eye out on their website so that you don’t miss out on early bird pricing.
Whether you are a beginner or an Olympian or a die-hard weekend running warrior, the VIRA Island Race Series community welcomes you with open arms.
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P.S. Are you a race director who wants me to feature your upcoming running event? Contact me! I’m always looking to promote health, wellness and fitness in the community.