Joshua Koromei arrived in Canada as a refugee from Kenya last year to a cold Montreal November.
The 36-year-old had escaped violence, bandits and cattle rustlers, but had to leave behind his parents, six brothers and a sister.
Koromei lived in a shelter where he was still able to indulge his passion for running — although getting used to snow and freezing temperatures was a tough adjustment after three decades in Africa.
One especially tough running experience proved to be a pivotal moment.
“When I was coming back I lost my way — it took me time to reach the shelter. I was freezing.”
With that, he googled other places in Canada that were warmer.
“I found British Columbia,” Koromei said.
He scraped bus money together and made his way to Victoria after a brief stay in Ontario.
When he arrived, Koromei — whose running credentials include a two-hour, 29-minute personal best in the marathon — was pleased to discover that Victoria is quite a running town.
On Sunday, he’ll be among the throngs lining up at the starting line for the 35th TC 10K.
He says life has been good since his arrival on the West Coast, thanks to the generosity of the community.
While he was living at the Salvation Army’s Johnson Street facility, his story about getting to Canada was featured on CHEK News, which led to a local resident offering him space in her home.
“I’m very grateful she has let me stay,” he said.
He has also found work on a night cleaning crew at the Bay Centre, and has garnered support for his running goals from such businesses as Popeye’s Supplements, The Fitness Academy and Frontrunners — which gave him his first-ever pair of new runners.
He will have plenty of company on Sunday, with the field expected to reach about 9,000. That includes the 189 entries in the popular Brown Bros. Team Challenge, which features team names like Easier Said Than Run and RBC Wealth Management’s “Fast Money.”
“It’s special, the 35th year since the race started in 1990,” said Mark deFrias, who is producing the big event. “I think that gives folks another reason to want to participate.”
With a nod to the TC 10K’s beginnings, this year’s event will have a ’90s theme.
“So all the music at the finish line and around the course is going all to be ’90s-related,” deFrias said. “And the T-shirts for the event are very bright neon green, so really pushing that vibe of the ’90s.”
Online registration will remain open until 2 p.m. Saturday, while late-comers can register in person during race-packet pick-up times on Friday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Race packets are being given out at #113-3671 Uptown Blvd.
DeFrias said the TC 1oK has a certain something that always brings out a wide range of participants.
“It’s not a marathon — it’s a 1o-kilometre distance,” he said. “It’s super-achievable for any age, whether you’re walking or you’re running, and we also have the Thrifty Foods Family Run.”
It’s also a charity event — last year’s TC 10K raised about $45,000 for charity, and the 2024 total was already at $44,000 by mid-week.
Victoria police said traffic disruption should be expected Sunday, with not only the TC 10K but the Khalsa Day Parade that follows at 1o:30 a.m. in the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood.
Initial road closures for the TC 10K will start at noon Saturday on Belleville Street, between Government and Menzies streets, and will remain in place until 3 p.m. Sunday.
On Sunday, closures will include Belleville between Menzies and Oswego streets, and Government Street between Belleville and Superior streets.
Menzies between Belleville and Quebec streets will be closed from about 3 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, and there will also be road closures along the route from about 7:30 a.m.-noon on Sunday.
Parking will be suspended in some areas on the route.
For more event information, go to tc10k.ca.
