Records fall at 4th Annual Run the Rock

The fourth annual Run the Rock on Texada was run under sunny summer skies with a light breeze. Marathoners started off at 7am from beautiful Shelter Point Park to beat the heat. Brad Crowe of Comox boldly predicted a sub-3 hour marathon on this very challenging course and proved true to his word, breezing across the line in 2:56:02 to smash the previous record by 12 minutes. The women's record was also obliterated by 40+ masters Mary Bridges of Courtenay in 3:39:02, more than 15 minutes faster than the old mark. Both previous marks were set in 2012.

Shortly after Brad Crowe set the new marathon record, his father Wayne Crowe had his own half marathon course record smashed and 2-year title usurped by 19-year-old Lehm Maguire of Victoria. Maguire's 1:19:17 was nearly 4 minutes under the old mark, and more than 6 minutes ahead of second-place Crowe.

Melissa Schurger of Vancouver took the women's half marathon title easily in 1:35:04, also more than 6 minutes ahead of her nearest rival. Schurger shaved 23 seconds off the women's course record, set by Allison Ezzat in the inaugural edition (2011).

Alex and Teresa Nightingale of Halfmoon Bay took home the Male & Female winners' trophies for the 8km, racing a close 1-2 most of the way until the final 400m where Alex surged ahead of his mum by 14 seconds to win in 32:37. Alex knocked over a minute off his second-place time from 2013.

Local volunteers came out in droves as usual and added to the festive atmosphere by dressing up and decorating some of the 12 aid stations, which the participants could vote for as their favourites. Limestone and Flower Rock medals were the rewards for half and full marathon finishers, and many draw prizes were given out. Race proceeds will be used for cancer support for residents of Texada.