The Cobble Hill 10k is usually the second race in the VIRA Island Race Series. However, this year, the Harriers Pioneer 8k, which is usually the first race of the season, got postponed due to the course conditions. Therefore, the Cobble Hill 10k is actually the first live race that we will be running. This awesome race is hosted by the CEEVACS Road Runners.
The race will be taking place on Sunday, January 23 in the beautiful Cowichan Valley. Starting at Mill Bay Nature School, the course is scenic and flat, run on country roads around Cobble Hill. It has produced some fast times for many runners (myself included). While I didn’t get a personal best, I ran a 41:05 on this course back in 2016, which was only 9 seconds slower than my personal best for the 10k.
Regardless of your pace or fitness level, you are welcome to come out and enjoy the run. It’s very beginner-friendly. If you are planning to take longer than 70 minutes to finish the race, the early start option (10:30am) is available. The main start, however, is at 11:00am. You will also get a chance to pick up your race bib between 9 am and 10:30 am at Mill Bay Nature School. Unfortunately, there is no race day registration.
As we can see from the map below, there are a quite a few turns in the Cobble Hill 10k.
Cobble Hill 10k course map 2022
SOME COBBLE HILL 10K INSIGHTS:
The first 2km make it very tempting to start too fast, as I often do (and most likely will do again).
Then, there is a sharp turnaround before the 2km mark. Therefore, if you run the first km too fast, you will need to really slow down to take this turn.
There is a very small incline just before you turn left onto Cobble Hill Road after the 2km marker, where I often regretted running the first km too fast. If you don’t run the first km too fast, you will hardly even notice this incline.
Then, after the 3rd km, it’s usually a fairly smooth sailing where you can pick up the pace a bit. Between the 4km and 5km mark is where you will be able to witness the fastest runners passing the 6k mark.
There was another very small incline in the later part of the Cobble Hill 10k. From what I remember, it was somewhere between 6-8k. However, it was a very short uphill and if you didn’t bust out of the gate in the first few kilometers, you should hardly notice it.
The last 1.5km of the Cobble Hill 10k is super fun and very fast. Whenever I pace this race properly, I have no issues with holding a sub-4 minute km for the last km. This is typically where I try to give it my all or whatever is left of it at the end. The last 1.5km of the Cobble Hill 10k is my favorite.
Here’s a fun shot from the Cobble Hill 10k 2019, featuring a super inspiring runner named Joseph Camilleri. I admire his passion for the sport (and he takes wonderful race photos too whenever he is not running the race)
My goals for this race:
My main goal for this race is to have fun connecting with fellow runners as much as I can and enjoying it. It has been a long time since I raced a 10k, so I don’t have a specific time goal. However, I’d like to get under 45 minutes if the day goes well for me. Placing top three in my age group would be wonderful but there are some speedy ladies in my age category.
I encourage every participant that comes out to find joy through running regardless of how fast you go.
I look forward to seeing everyone there and if you missed the registration cutoff for this race, then you can run the next one. The next race in the series is the Hatley Castle 8k on February 13.
P.S.
Please also take note of the VIRA Island Race Series Covid-19 Protocol:
1. VIRA will abide by all Provincial Health Orders and guidance provided by BC Athletics regarding holding outdoor events and indoor gatherings. Participants are advised that, if Provincial Health Orders require it at the time of the race, proof of full vaccination and wearing a mask may be required to access outdoor settings and indoor venues – which include tents with two or more walls. (See Note #2 below re: venue requirements). Further, participants must be aware that Provincial Health Orders are frequently amended, which could result in different requirements for different races.
2. Some Island Series races have access to indoor venues, and those venues are mandating that participants are fully vaccinated and wear masks to go inside. For everyone to enjoy the full Island Series race experience we strongly encourage participants be fully vaccinated to enable you to participate in the post-race food and awards.
3. Safety is our number one priority, and each host club will work with their local health authority and venue to ensure a safe event for all participants and volunteers.
4. Anyone who is sick or showing signs of COVID-19 prior to any race must not participate for the safety of others.