Local runners show well at 23rd BMO Okanagan Marathon

Claire Young of Kelowna captured first place for the female category with a time of 3:06:12 in the 23rd running of the BMO Okanagan Marathon.

Other locals placing in the top three in the different classes include, Jordan Van Besouw of West Kelowna who came first in the half marathon with a time of 1:20:03, and Jacob Harris of Kelowna who placed third with a time of 1:25:01.

In the 10 km race for males, Brock Hoel of West Kelowna took first place with a time of 34:41 and Michael Shcriemer of Kelowna placed third with a time of 36:37.

In the 10 km female category, in first was Erica Casey of Coldstream with a time of 40:14, in second Jessica Fisher of Kamloops with a time of 42:12 and Danielle Fauteux of Kamloops was third with a time of 42:56.

In the 5 km Male category, Grayson McMillan of Kelowna was third with a time of 22:28.

For the 5 km Female, Liza Burgess of Kelowna was first with a time of 19:32 and Anika Louw, Kelowna of Kelowna was third with a time of 23:49.

With almost 3,000 racers from six different countries, not all the winners were from the BC Interior.

David Eikelboom from Whitehorse captured the Marathon crown, running a near course record fast pace of 2:34:27. Edmonton’s Brian York placed second at 2:39:03 and Darryl Vanderwoude also of Edmonton placed third in a time of 2:39:52. The overall men’s winner was excited to claim his first ever BMO Okanagan Marathon, “It’s a beautiful course. Normally I do well on hilly courses so I wasn’t totally sure how a flat one would go.” Eikelboom says he added research to his training to help him prepare for the run, “I spent a lot of time studying the course map and the elevation profile.” He adds, “Plus being from Whitehorse helped me be able to run in today’s the slightly cooler temperatures.”

In the women’s division, a new champion was crowned when Kelowna’s Claire Young crossed the finish line with a time of 3:06:12. Young was ecstatic about her finish. “This is my first and only race this year. I’m over the moon, I didn’t expect to win that’s for sure.” Following in second place was Vancouver’s Genevieve Cauffope coming in at 3:06:49 and Megan Brown, running a time of 3:07:43.

The men’s Half Marathon saw a new champion as Jordan Van Besouw of West Kelowna finished first at 1:20:03. The win caught Van Besouw by surprise, “This was supposed to be a [final pre-race] training run – I’m running the New York Marathon in 3 weeks. So this is great.” Spectators and cheer stations lined the course to cheer on the racers who experienced great conditions all morning. Placing second was Artur Wojtas of Calgary with a time of 1:23:55, followed by Kelowna’s Jacob Harris in at 1:25:01.

In first place for the women’s Half Marathon was Calgary’s Deb Russell, with a time of 1:20:57. Russell was delighted to run a personal best time, “I took just more than a minute off my previous best so I’m really happy with my time.” Sarah MacArthur of Calgary finished second with a time of 1:23:03, and Winnipeg’s Gina Tranquada finished third at 1:29:05.

Brock Hoel from West Kelowna won the 10km men’s run in a time of 34:41. It was Hoel’s second time running the race, “It was perfect running conditions this year and I was about a minute faster than last year – so I feel really good.” First place in the women’s event went to Coldstream’s Erica Casey who ran a time of 40:14.

Over the years, the BMO Okanagan Marathon has raised more than $386,000 for The Sunshine Foundation of Canada, including ongoing and significant contributions through fundraising activities organized by the regional BMO employees. The national charity has fulfilled 8,000 dreams across Canada, in their 29-year history.

Racers ranged in age from 7 to 81 years old, including one family who had a grandfather, mother and granddaughter running in the 10 km. Olympic race walker Mat Bilodeau participated in the half marathon this year as did double lung transplant recipient Andrew Brownell, who was pushed in his wheelchair by his twin sister Anna the 21 km to the finish line.

“We are so grateful to the residents of Kelowna who have supported this event and really allowed it to grow,” says race director Tom Keogh. “We are so pleased to see such a diverse range of age and abilities in our runners – it truly has become a weekend the whole family can enjoy.”

The event wishes to thank the many local organizations that support this family festival weekend. Organizers say the weekend, which is a Boston qualifying event, was once again a successful one. Saturday, October 7th, welcomed the Running Room’s Free Friendship Run, a 5km timed run – new this year, and the BMO ABC Kids Run with 200 youngsters completing their 1km event. Sunday featured the 10km, Half Marathon and Marathon. Runners came from all over Canada, the U.S., and as far away as Germany, the United Kingdom, the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. BMO Okanagan Marathon

Final Unofficial Gun Time Results:

Marathon Male
1 st – David Eikelboom, Whitehorse, YT - 2:34:27
2 nd – Brian York, Edmonton, AB - 2:39:03
3 rd – Darryl Vanderwoude, Edmonton, AB - 2:39:52

Marathon Female
1 st – Claire Young, Kelowna, BC – 3:06:12
2 nd – Genevieve Cauffope, Vancouver, BC – 3:06:49
3 rd – Megan Brown, Vancouver, BC – 3:07:43

21.1 km Half Marathon Male
1st – Jordan Van Besouw, West Kelowna, BC – 1:20:03
2 nd – Artur Wojtas, Calgary, AB – 1:23:55
3 rd – Jacob Harris, Kelowna BC – 1:25:01

21.1 km Half Marathon Female
1 st – Deb Russell, Calgary, AB –1:20:57
2 nd – Sarah MacArthur, Calgary, AB – 1:23:03
3 rd – Gina Tranquada, Winnipeg, MB – 1:29:05

10 km Male
1 st - Brock Hoel, West Kelowna, BC – 34:41
2 nd - Craig Dale, North Vancouver, BC – 35:01
3 rd - Michael Schriemer, Kelowna, BC – 36:37

10 km Female
1 st - Erica Casey, Coldstream, BC – 40:14
2 nd - Jessica Fisher, Kamloops, BC – 42:12
3 rd - Danielle Fauteux, Kamloops, BC – 42:56

5 km Male
1 st - Jack Hardy, Langley, BC – 18:57
2 nd - Russell Garries, Calgary, AB – 22:08
3 rd - Grayson McMillan, Kelowna, BC – 22:28

5km Female
1 st - Liza Burgess, Kelowna, BC – 19:32
2 nd - Maya Fish, Canmore, AB – 21:24
3 rd - Anika Louw, Kelowna, BC – 23:49

FOR COMPLETE RESULTS GO TO okanaganmarathon.ca or sportstats.ca
(All results are unofficial)