Past champions, such as Olympians Bruce Deacon and Angela Chalmers, have set a demanding pace over the three-decade history of the sa国际传媒 10K.
But the staying power belongs to Birgit Fuerst and Maurice Tarrant. They have participated in every sa国际传媒 10K since its inception, so the 30th anniversary edition April 28 will be a true milestone for them.
Not that 89-year-old Tarrant hasn鈥檛 set an amazing pace himself as five of his myriad age-class Canadian and world records were set in the sa国际传媒 10K.
鈥淚n my first race, I wanted to be among the first 100 runners across. Now, I want to stay ahead of the last 100,鈥� quipped Tarrant, during the media conference Wednesday to start the countdown to the 30th anniversary race.
鈥淭he faces and paces change over the years but not the unique atmosphere of this event.鈥�
Fuerst also touched on that aspect of a race that now annually includes the elites from Kenya and Ethiopia at the front of the pack followed by a heaving mass of humanity in their wake, from walkers to pensioners.
鈥淚t has a very competitive side but it鈥檚 also all-inclusive,鈥� said Fuerst.
Fuerst entered her first race three decades ago and included her children, who were eight and 11 at the time. She now runs the race with her grandchildren.
鈥淭hat first race really changed my life,鈥� she said.
Fuerst is dedicating her 30th race to her late husband, Ritchie, who recently passed away.
鈥淪o, this 30th anniversary race is bittersweet,鈥� she said.
But also uplifting in its way: Fuerst鈥檚 and Tarrant鈥檚 storylines will be among the thousands on the streets of Victoria and Oak Bay in April.
Race director and former national-team runner Trish Fougner said organizers expect 8,000 to 9,000 participants for the 30th anniversary race.
鈥淭he first race had 2,300 people and I remember the first champions in 1990 were my teammates on the national team 鈥� women鈥檚 winner Debbie Scott had run in two Olympic Games and men鈥檚 winner Gary Barber went on that year to represent sa国际传媒 in the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand,鈥� said Fougner.
鈥淎nd how the technology has changed. For that first race, you had to cut the entry form out of the sa国际传媒 newspaper, fill it out, and send it in by mail or drop it off.鈥�
One thing that hasn鈥檛 changed is that the call for help is always answered.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a big effort to put on a downtown event, which closes roads, and without volunteers it wouldn鈥檛 happen,鈥� said Fougner.
The 10K will follow a route through downtown to Dallas Road out and back before finishing in front of the Legislature on Belleville.
On hand Wednesday were Victoria Coun. Laurel Collins, representing mayor Lisa Helps, Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch and Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes.
The event supports seven charities through the registration process and run 鈥� sa国际传媒 Cancer Agency, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Help Fill A Dream, Every Step Counts, Victoria Hospitals Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis and the sa国际传媒 Literacy Society.
