Royal Victoria Marathon Returns on Thanksgiving Weekend
(Victoria, BC – October 7, 2022) The Royal Victoria Marathon (RVM) is back with a full complement of events after two years of disruption due to the pandemic. On Sunday October 9 nearly 8,000 participants will participate in the Marathon, Half Marathon, 8K, and the Thrifty Foods Kids Run. The Half Marathon and 8K were held last year but the Marathon distance hasn’t been held since celebrating its 40th year in 2019.
Marathon weekend kicks off on Friday, October 7 with the two-day Race Expo at Crystal Garden on Douglas Street, Victoria, where participants can pick up their race bibs and shirts and see an array of health and fitness exhibitors. To date 7,698 have registered for the event: 1,587 in the Marathon, 3,449 in the Half Marathon, 2,153 in the 8K, and 509 in the Thrifty Foods Kids Run.
“We have been looking forward to presenting a full race weekend for some time and thrilled that participants are returning and choosing to spend their Thanksgiving in Victoria,” said Cathy Noel, RVM Race Director and General Manager. “We would like to thank our loyal sponsors and partners for supporting us, without whom we wouldn’t be able to put on an event of this size.”
Peninsula Co-op sponsor the volunteer program. “The Royal Victoria Marathon brings together a community of people of nearly 8,000 runners and walkers. An event like this can’t happen without the support of dedicated volunteers. As a local Vancouver Island member-owned business we’re so pleased to co-operate with the marathon again this year as the Volunteer Crew sponsor. A sincere ‘thank you’ to the hundreds of volunteers who donate countless hours and energy to ensure this event continues to bring Islanders together” says Lindsay Gaudette, Director, Marketing and Community Relations, Peninsula Co-op.
The CHEK Charity Pledge Program is in its 18th year and this year 13 charities are participating. “We are excited about the opportunity to work with our charity partners to not only help them raise money but also awareness for their causes,” adds Noel. Since 2014 over $2 million has been raised.
All the races on Sunday will see a competitive field. Top seed in the Marathon is Teferi Kebede Balcha from Ethiopia who won the 2022 TC10K and has a personal best time of 2:07:38 from 2012. Other runners include James DeSalvo from Winthrop, Washington with a PB of 2:33, and Victoria runners Jonathan Walker (PB: 2:32) and Connor Keller who has run 2:37.
The female field includes three-time RVM Champion Suzanne Evans from New Westminster. The 2005, 2006 and 2007 winner has a PB of 2:44:19. Local runner Care Nelson will debut at the marathon distance. The mother of three has a half marathon PB of 1:18:17.
The men’s half marathon field is led by Victoria’s Andrew Russell who has a PB of 1:11. He will be tested by Campbell River’s Mark Cryderman, one of BC’s top masters with a PB of 1:12. Top female is 2022 TC10K champion Jen Millar, who at 42 is on top form. Her half marathon PB is 1:18. Also in the women’s race is Sally Crowther from Kirkland, Washington (1:16).
The 8K race will feature a fast field including two Victoria runners contending for the top prize. Jonathan Toombs has a PB of 24:56 and Nick Walker has run 25:08. There are also a number of local youth runners. Charli Mlotshwa and Ethan Nozick are both 15 years old with times of 33:00 each. Kate Ayres from the University of Victoria has a PB of 27:31, and 17-year-old Ella Ballard has run the distance in 34:00.
“Seeing such a spread of runners from youth to masters, and from elites to recreational runners, shows the wealth of talent we can highlight at the event. The RVM is truly a community event and on behalf of the board we thank everyone for the support and hope they all have a great race on Sunday,” says Jonathan Foweraker, President, Victoria Marathon Society.
The Men’s course record was set in 2013 by Lamech Mokono in 2:13:42 and the Women’s by Lucy Njeri in 2011 (2:37:56). Natasha Wodak-Fraser set the women’s Half Marathon record in 2018 (1:11:45). The Men’s Half Marathon record is held by Jon Brown (2002 – 1:02:32). Justin Kent holds the men’s 8K course record (2019 – 23:14), and Sarah Inglis holds the women’s record (2021 – 25:35).
Weekend Schedule
Race Expo, Crystal Garden, 713 Douglas Street
Friday, October 7: 12 noon – 6 pm
Saturday, October 8: 9 am – 6 pm
Race Day, Sunday, October 9
Marathon Early Start: 6:30 am
8K Start: 7:15 am
Marathon/Half Marathon Start: 8:00 am
Thrifty Foods Kids Run: 11:00 am
For more details visit www.runvictoriamarathon.com
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Louise Hodgson-Jones
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250-812-2518