The Interior Running Association is a non-profit society that works with local clubs to promote running and fitness throughout Interior BC.

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Penticton Blossom 10 Miler results are all posted

Oliver Wine Capital of Canada 10K –April 14, 2013

Hans Aabye (M35-39) captured his second IRA race in a row, and third of the year in a time of 35 minutes flat, defeating Graham Hood (M40-44) of Kelowna by 50 seconds. Aabye had won the Campus Half last week, and this marks the second time this year he has gained the podium on consecutive weeks in IRA races. Finishing third was Chad Reid (M35-39) of Kelowna in 36:30.

Stacey Cleveland (F35-39) took her second consecutive women's title at the race in 40:43, easily defeating Tiffany Fowler (F40-44) of Kelowna and Marie-Josee Bedard (M40-44) of Merritt, who battled it out for second, with Fowler defeating the younger Bedard 44:04 to 44:07. Bedard had previously edged out Delilah Topic (F30-34, who finished fifth this time) to win the River's Spring Run Off a month ago.

Turning to the age graded results, Lynda Proce (F55-59) finally gained the top spot by finishing in 47:52, good for 37:42, to defeat Jill Lawson (F50-54) of North Vancouver, who ran 44:38, good for 38:04 age-graded and Patricia Riegel (F65-69)) of Vernon, who recorded 56:17, good for 40:02. Race winner Cleveland was relegated to fifth.

On the men's side, last year's winner of the Greenaway Trophy, Penticton's Sergio Pio (M45-49) took the title. Pio, who finished seventh overall in 37:41, defeated Hood by seven seconds in 33:30, with Aabye third at 34:15.

Thanks to Tracy Harrington and her crew of volunteers for this event which raises money for SOSS in Oliver.

The series now takes a break for a few weeks to allow local runners to compete in some major events in Vancouver, with the next event the Blossom Ten Miler on Mother's Day. Remember to come early to pick up your bib at the finish line at the SS Sicamous in Penticton, and then catch the free shuttle bus at 8am to the Naramata starting line.

We were all shocked and saddened by the bombings at the Boston Marathon, and our hearts go out to those who were killed and injured. As I write this, a suspect has been apprehended, and we thank the police forces everywhere for putting their lives on the line to keep us safe.

I know there were several local runners at the race, and we breathed a sigh of relief that no Canadians were injured. I'd like to make special mention of Kelowna's Liz Borrett (F70-74), who, one week after taking the overall age-graded title at the Campus Half, finished second in her age group at Boston in 4:00:34. Congratulations Liz! I think that makes you the woman to beat for Runner of the Year!

~Rick Jenkner reporting

Okanagan College Half Marathon Apr. 7, 2013

The eleventh edition of the Okanagan College Half (originally the Campus to Campus Half) was the first time the race was a part of the Canadian Tire Interior Road Race Series. The race is now a modified loop from the KLO Campus, and was held in conjunction with a 10K and a Half marathon relay, which were not part of our series. These events made for some added excitement, with the three relay exchanges adding to spectator interest, and the 10K starting 15 minutes ahead of the Half. This was the first IRA race to feature chip timing, and the College website shows results of the chip times as well as gun times, whereas the medals, and IRA times are recorded from gun (clock) time. The IRA is interested in your opinion of this event, positive or negative, and whether you would like to see it continue in the series. Please contact your club rep, or a member of the IRA executive with your opinions.

»full report

Boston Marathon

Message from the president of the Interior Running Association:

We are shocked and saddened by the events that occurred April 15 at the Boston Marathon. Our thoughts go out to all those affected. We know that Boston Marathon is an important race for many local runners and we wish them all a swift journey home.

BC Athletics has released the following statement:

BC Athletics extends its condolences and thoughts to the victims and families affected by the tragedy that occurred at the Boston Marathon.

That such a positive, festive event that brings together people from around the world to celebrate and honour is itself a victim – is so very sad.

BC Athletics and the hundreds of event organizers in British Columbia want to assure the participants and spectators that safety is of paramount importance. As appropriate BC Athletics will be asking event organizers to review their safety and security plans with local authorities.

Greg White, Chair

Brian McCalder, President/CEO

BC Athletics

Oliver 10K

Preliminary results are on the Results page.

OC Half Marathon

The OC Half results for age cat. place are based on age on the day of the race Apr 7 and are posted at here. IRA age category points are based on age 31Dec13 and ARE NOW POSTED in Results. Check out all the photos on Facebook.

IRA Booklet

If you haven't already seen this years IRA booklet take a look through the copy below. It has full details of the IRA Executive, results of the 2012 runner of the year awards and the complete race schedule for the 2013 series.

• IRA Booklet

The River's Spring Run Off 10K – Mar. 17, 2013

The capricious spring weather smiled on the IRA once again as the series moved to the Thompson Valley for race #3. It was a frosty morning with storms predicted, but they held off until late afternoon and race conditions were nearly perfect, with only mild wind. Course record holder Ryan Day had considered entering, but when he opted not to run, the Machuga and Aabye show held a re-run, with John Machuga (M30-34) continuing his mastery over Hans Aabye (M35-39) and winning his seventh race in his last seven entered over two years, clocking 33:42. Aabye was ecstatic at the line however, as his chase netted the first sub-34 minute clocking of his career, at 33:55. As happened at the Starting Block 10K, Nathan Champness (M30-34) of Vernon followed him home. His time was 35:19. Fourth was the first Kamloops runner, Mark Carolan (M20-29) in 36:22. Mark had won the Kamloops Hypothermic Half Marathon three weeks earlier.

»full report

Lakeside 5K video

If you haven't already seen it you should check out this video of the Lakeside 5K. Many thanks Dirk for all your photos and videos. Always fun to see!

Lakeside 5K Report – Mar. 10, 2013

Another perfect day for running made for fast times for the second race in a row, and a race record 297 runners finished as the series moved to the south Okanagan for race #2. John Machuga (M30-34) ran his first IRA race of the season and took up where he left off in 2012, winning in 15:56. Machuga is undefeated in his last six races. For the second year in a row, Hans Aabye (M35-39) was outsprinted at the finish, this time by local runner Eddie Smith (M30-34), who took second place by two seconds in 16:21.

»full report

Spring Run Off

Preliminary Results for Spring Run Off 10K now available on the results page.

Lakeside 5K

Preliminary Results for Lakeside 5k posted on R and F50-54 results page. NOTE: changes with F55-59 and F50-54

Starting Block 10K Run 2013

With a spate of mild weather over the recent past, the course was very snow-free and in great running shape, and some fast times were posted. For only the second time I can remember, the overall winner on age grading was a woman, with 2011 Runner of the Year Liz Borrett (F70-74)claiming the honour by clocking 53:13 at age 74, which graded out at 32:38, to break her age group record set last year. Liz has run faster every year she has run this race, what an inspiration! Jack Miller (M65-69) was the top man on age-grading, running 44:11 at age 67, which graded out at 33:22, to break his age group record set last year. These performances overshadowed the winners on clock time, Hans Aabye (M35-39) of Merritt,who ran 34:17, and Jessica Hannah (F30-34) of Kelowna, who ran 38:57. For Hannah, it was her third overall victory in the race, and for Aabye, whose nemesis John Machuga chose to run the First Half in Vancouver, it was his second victory at Lavington. Aabye's time was also an age-group record, besting the time set by Tom Evans in winning the race in 2004.

»full report

Starting Block 10K

Starting Block 10k results are now posted in the Results page. One correction in M65-69, Bill Faulkner was 2nd. Check out our IRA Facebook page, lots of pictures posted already.

Schedule of events

The IRA is happy to announce our final schedule for 2012. Thanks to Trevor Haaheim, Brian Wrightson, and the KRC, Peak to Beak is back on the schedule on Sep. 22. To make room, the Reino Keski-Salmi Memorial Run will move to Oct. 20, and the Larry Nicholas Memorial Run will move to Nov. 3. Thank you to Donna Nicholas, Cindy Rhodes, and Abbi May for working out these changes.

There will be some sort of year-end celebration in November, but it will likely not be an awards banquet as in the past. Please watch this space for announcements.

                                                                                              »more 2013 news