FILA Fall Classic
November 20, 2005

The Fall Classic takes place at UBC's beautiful campus at Point Grey. This year thick fog greeted the runners but didn't dampen their spirits. Indeed, it must have been ideal for Paul Johnson who placed third in the half marathon for his age group. Congratulations!

Thanks to David Webb for sorting out all the preparations. Well done, once again.

ING New York City Marathon
November 6, 2005

Some comments from the VFR contingent:

• "It was a hoot - jam packed, slow going, stopped lots for photos, bathroom
  lineups and loved the crowds!  Over 2.5 million people cheering us on!
  It was an incredible experience!"
• "We had a fabulous time. We ran as a group throughout the entire marathon. We came in just under 5 hours. Front Runners New York had a water station inside Central Park. They noticed our shirts and gave us a big cheer. Over 2.5 million spectators. One of my best experiences running to date."
  
  

ING James Cunningham Seawall Race
October 30, 2005

VFR fielded two teams this year, one fast and one fun. The fast team won the men's division and the fun team placed second in the mixed division.

Runners celebrated afterwards at a member's house where they were invited to try their hand at carving pumpkins. The favourite pumpkin made our VFR logo shine.

Vancouver Front Runners Pride Run & Walk
July 30, 2005

Vancouver Front Runners is pleased to announce that we raised over $2,000 for the Dr. Peter Centre and Gab Youth Services at The Centre. The Dr. Peter Centre is the day health program and residence for people in Vancouver living with AIDS. Gab Youth Services at The Centre is a support , education, advocacy and referal service for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning youth in Vancouver.

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ScotiaBank Vancouver Half-Marathon and 5K Run/Walk
June 26, 2005

The half-marathon race starts at UBC and runs along the shore to Stanley Park.

Several VFR members participated in the half individually or as part of the team entry. Everyone seemed to have a good race and we had a number of personal bests. The VFR team placed first again, just like last year!

Thanks to Dean Spottar and his many helpers for putting it all together.

Edge to Edge Marathon
Sunday, June 12, 2005

This marathon runs between two charming villages on the west coast of Vancouver Island. This year the route started in Tofino in the north, went through Pacific Spirit National Park and ended in Ucluelet in the south.

We had two teams, one men's and one mixed. The men's placed sixth overall and first in their division. The mixed placed even better overall, coming in fourth—also their standing in their division.

Rick Luscombe ran the entire marathon and placed an impressive 14th overall and second in his division. He persevered through a difficult last leg.

Thanks go to Ray Duggan for organizing the weekend, the accomodation and the fine weather on race day.

Lees Trail Triathlon
May 28, 2005

Lees Trail Triathlon was a wonderful success for the English Bay Triathlon Club. It sold out and the club raised almost $2,000 for charity.

The event is known as a mini-tri. The course ran as follows:

• 500 m swim in Second Beach pool
• 10 km bike on  the roadway around Stanley Park
• 4 km run on park trails

Several VFR members are also members in EBTC, so there were lots of familiar faces participating in or volunteering for the event. And other VFR members also showed their support by racing, helping out or just watching.

Adidas, Vancouver International Marathon
May 1, 2005

We had about 50 at the Wild Garlic Bistro for dinner the evening before the race. VIsitors came from Calgary, Victoria, Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles and Cincinnati.

Conditions were really good on race day and about a dozen VFR members participated. In the afternoon, several took a limo down to Richmond for a BBQ.

Special thanks to David Webb and Dean Spottar for organizing the Sunday-morning marathon training runs leading up to the race.

Vancouver Sun Run
April 17, 2005

Our ten fastest runners put our team second in the club/association category, down from first last year. However, we were sixth overall, up from tenth last year, a remarkable improvement. Special note to Paul Johnson, our fastest finisher, and to Patrick Tham, our team captain, who ran a PB.

The team enjoyed a wonderful pre-race pot luck at Stephane Cayer's where the chocolate truffle cake was to die for. After the race, Dean Spottar hosted a BBQ and hot tub party where the mimosas were to die for.

Thank you team, thank you captain and thank you hosts.