Vernon’s Aaron Heidt took second place in this year’s 14th annual Okanagan College Half Marathon, 10-K and Relay Race Sunday in Kelowna.
The reigning champion in the half marathon men’s division, Heidt tried valiantly to defend his title but could not outrun Kelowna’s Brad Bickley, who crossed the finish line in one hour 12 minutes 24 seconds.
Heidt, who won the men’s 40-49 age group, finished in 1:13:17, nearly 12 minutes ahead of the third-place finisher, Cael Wainer.
Vernon’s Michael Stoll was 12th overall in 1:33:28 and fifth in the men’s 40-49 age class.
Rick Jenkner of Vernon won the men’s 60+ age group, finishing 36th overall in 1:41:14.
The female half marathon was won by Kelowna’s Gina Tranquada (1:29:55). Vernon’s Jacqueline Erickson was 10th overall in 1:41:58, and third in her age class of female 20-29.
Kelowna’s Christy Lovig tied the women’s 10-K course record, the same record that she set at last year’s event. Lovig ran the distance in (36:48) in both 2015 and 2016, down to the second. Alison Gill of Kelowna came in second (41:59).
The men’s 10-K race was swept by UBC Okanagan’s cross-country team. Sam Goodrich finished first (35:49), followed by teammates Michael Mitchell (36:00) and Alex Hansen (37:36).
Other North Okanagan results, half-marathon:
Ron Neden, Armstrong, 86th overall, sixth age group (M60+), 1:56:40; Kylie Tokairin, Vernon, 111th overall, 17th age group (F20-29), 2:04:29; Alyssa Skaalid, Vernon, 110h overall, 19th age group (F20-29), 2:04:29.
In the 10K:
Steve Briggeman, Vernon, 10th overall, first age group (M50-59), 42:10; Naoko Hoshi, Armstrong, 36th overall, sixth age group (F20-29), 53:30; Mitsuyo Kaneda, Vernon, 47th overall, fourth age group (F50-59), 56:51. Rebecca Todd, Vernon, 63rd overall, 12th age group (F20-29), 1:00:00; Monika Weatherill, Vernon, 97th overall, eighth age group (F50-59), 1:11:13; Lisa Weatherill, Vernon, 99th overall, 18th age group (F20-29), 1:13:03; Katherine Pickering, Vernon, 104th overall, 19th age group (F30-39), 1:16:22.
The Okanagan College Half Marathon, 10-K and Relay is an annual not-for-profit event that raises funds to support student bursaries. Event sponsors include: Canadian Springs Water, the Kelowna Capital News, Save On Foods, Active Living Chiropractic, Okanagan College Pastry Arts, Starbucks, the Orchard City Amateur Radio Club.