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Times Colonist 10K going virtual in April

The over-arching theme of sports in 2021, based on the vaccine timeline, is that winter and spring leagues and events are in trouble while summer and fall events stand a far ­better chance of taking place.
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A runner makes jogs along Dallas Road near Ogden Point. [Darren Stone, Times Colonist]

The over-arching theme of sports in 2021, based on the vaccine timeline, is that winter and spring leagues and events are in trouble while summer and fall events stand a far ­better chance of taking place.

That is exemplified by the announcement that the 32nd Times Colonist 10K will be staged ­virtually April 16-25.

“We wanted to make sure we still had something. Even more so because of the effects the pandemic has had on mental and physical health,” said Lucy Smith, lead coach and race ambassador.

“The pandemic has caused social disconnection. This is a way to bring back some connection, if only virtually, before hopefully [live] events start back up again.”

Registration is $35 to Jan. 31 and $40 after that and opens today at 10 a.m. at TC10K.ca. There is also a 5K race and 1.5K kids’ race. Participants will post their times online ­during the race period in April. Race bibs, medals, energy bars/gels and event T-shirts will be part of the race package along with some clever extras such as finish-line tape. Race packages will be picked up April 16-17 in scheduled shifts and in socially-distanced fashion at a venue to be announced or they can also be mailed out at cost.

“The board looked at all the variables and decided this was the best scenario this year to keep the event going and ­connected to the community,” said Mark deFrias, director of deFrias Management Group, which manages the Times ­Colonist 10K.

“We [expect] participants will run socially distanced and in keeping with the health protocols in effect at the time.”

The top end of the race usually features Olympians and other internationals. Haron Sirma of Kenya won the last in-person race in 2019 in 29 minutes and 38 seconds. Sarah Inglis of Scotland, a Tokyo Olympic hopeful for Great Britain, and Olympian Malindi Elmore, who will represent Canada in the marathon this summer in the Tokyo Games, were 1-2 in the women’s race. But it is in the heaving ribbon of humanity behind the elites that the best stories are often found in the Times Colonist 10K.

“This event engages the community in such a great health and wellness initiative,” said deFrias.

The last in-person Times ­Colonist 10K had more than 9,700 runners, walkers and kids take part in 2019. More than 7,000 people had registered for the cancelled 2020 race.

“We were looking to hit our target of 10,000 last year before we had to cancel the race because of the pandemic,” said deFrias.

He said a realistic goal for the 2021 virtual race is 3,000.

“We would be pleased with that,” said deFrias.

“Our sponsors have been amazing in sticking with us.”

Even at that, the ripple effects are many. “The Times Colonist 10K raised lots of funds for charities and that aspect of the event has been hit hard,” said deFrias. The virtual race will allow for at least some of the charities to benefit on a more limited basis.

Also offered at the race website are virtual running clinics conducted by former Canadian international Smith, a six-time women’s winner of the Times Colonist 10K. The cost is $69 for a ­comprehensive 14-week course ­beginning Jan. 18.

“It’s easy to be motivated in the first two weeks of ­training. It’s after that that some ­runners, including many first-timers, need the support, maintenance and motivation,” said Smith.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com

> Online: TC10K.ca