Gord Kurenoff: Inspiring seniors show no signs of slowing down during fast, fun FY8K – Vancouver Sun
Gord Kurenoff: Inspiring seniors show no signs of slowing down during fast, fun FY8K Vancouver Sun
“He was breathing down my neck the whole race and couldn’t shake him. He ran well … two seconds better than me,” said Walter Downey, who will be taking …
“He was breathing down my neck the whole race and couldn’t shake him. He ran well … two seconds better than me,” said Walter Downey, who will be taking part in the 2019 Berlin Marathon in three weeks, followed by the Chicago Marathon, the New York City Marathon and the California International Marathon. Who said you slow down as you get older?
Leslie Campbell of Surrey takes a group photo before Sunday’s Forever Young 8K, held at the Richmond Olympic Oval. One hundred and sixty-five runners and walkers, ranging in age from 55 to 99, took part in the fifth annual event. Gord Kurenoff / Vancouver Sun/Province
Cooling his heels and accepting congratulations after winning the 80-84 men’s division in Sunday’s fifth running of the Forever Young 8K, Michael Breeze of Vancouver and the people gathered around him joke that Happy Hour at their age is a good power nap.
While several people snapped pictures of Breeze with the FY8K finisher’s medal covering his signature Lone Wolf racing shirt, the inspiring senior seemed happy with his 1:07:25 time in the morning event that attracted 165 runners and walkers at Richmond Olympic Oval.
“The distance (8K) gets a little tougher at my age, but this is a great event,” smiled Breeze, pointing to this writer’s waistline and adding: “If you watch your weight, take care of yourself and stay active, you can do this for a long, long time. Your speed doesn’t really matter, unless it’s a race!”
• For FY8K results by Startline Timing, click HERE
• My Facebook photos from Sunday’s FY8K, click HERE
Ah yes, the race bit. This year it was a two-man show between Delta track dynamo Mark Pinckard and Walter Downey of Vancouver. Downey, who won the FY8K in 2017 and finished runner-up last year, was passed in the final 150 metres by Pinckard, who posted an impressive 30:44 — two seconds ahead of Downey, who led the entire way until the end. Colin Brander was third in 34:50.
Mark Pinckard, left, Walter Downey, second from right, and Colin Brander, right, started at the front Sunday and finished there, too. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
“He was breathing down my neck the whole race and couldn’t shake him. He ran well … two seconds better than me,” said Downey, who will be taking part in the 2019 Berlin Marathon in three weeks, followed by the Chicago Marathon, the New York City Marathon and the California International Marathon. Who said you slow down as you get older?
The top woman was Sylvie Dufour of Vancouver, who finished in 40:33, 27 seconds ahead of Lorraine Setter of Surrey. Kelly Rowson of Surrey was third in 41 minutes.
Gwen McFarlan, one of the co-founders of the host Forever Young Club, set a personal record with a 53:47 clocking, which is pretty awesome for a competitor in the 85-89 age category.
“We got lucky with the weather today,” said McFarlan, who is training for another marathon challenge. “It rained before the race, and held off during it. Perfect temperature for a run with some super seniors!”
Here are a few other highlights from a memorable morning along the Fraser River:
Brothers Hugh and Rob McKinnon had a friendly sibling showdown in Sunday’s FY8K. Rob finished in 39:51, while older brother Hugh clocked in at 46:16. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Sunday sibling showdown
Brothers Hugh and Rob McKinnon were more than excited to square off Sunday, trash-talking each other before the starting gun.
“We already know who’s the better looking and smartest,” laughed Rob, while pointing at himself. “Today we’ll find out who the fastest is. So take our photo before I kick his butt!”
Rob, who calls Richmond home, finished in an impressive 39:51 in the 55-59 age category. Hugh, from Comox, finished in 46:16 in the 65-69 category. No word on what the winner received, but it may be a long week of digesting humble pie for Hugh!
Debra Croft of West Vancouver has travelled all over the world, but covering Sunday’s 8K in Richmond proved challenging. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Globetrotter grinds out ‘tougher’ 8K
Debra Croft of West Vancouver, one of those uplifting people you always hope to see on race day, laughed as she crossed the finish line Sunday.
“Is it just me, or does it get tougher every year?” Croft smiled. “Glad I got it done, but geez, this getting older thing has its moments!”
Croft, who loves travelling and exploring the world, rarely misses the FY8K. She finished in 1:00:21 in the 65-69 category and once she caught her breath was already talking about her next worldly adventures and about breaking the one-hour mark next year.
Doug and Diane Clement, and Gwen McFarland take in the FY8K awards ceremony on Sunday. All three were age-group champions. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Household of champions
They are co-founders of The Vancouver Sun Run, and involved with launching the 5K Rainforest Trail Run in Burnaby’s Central Park later this month, but on Sunday Doug and Diane Clement of Vancouver were participants — and age-class champions — in the FY8K.
Diane topped the 80-84 age group in 1:22:21, while Doug won the men’s 85-89 division in 1:11:10.
For more information on the inaugural 5K Rainforest Trail Run, set for Sunday, Sept. 29, click HERE.
John Young of Richmond, right, and Dennis Hill of Abbotsford, who first met four years ago, celebrated Dennis’s PB on Sundat at the Richmond Olympic Oval. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
Who’s your PB daddy?
He will turn 74 next Sunday and, thanks to a 60-plus pound weight loss and regular exercise, will add another memorable day to his growing achievement list.
Dennis Hill of Abbotsford, who attended a Forever Young Club Christmas luncheon four years ago and walked away inspired and motivated by club leader John Young to change his lifestyle, celebrated a personal best in Sunday’s 8K with a 68:43 clocking. That’s 10 minutes faster than his first attempt last year. He also crushed the Vancouver Sun Run 10K, Moustache Miler 5K and Big Elf Run 5K in the past year.
His son-in-law Richard Graham completed the Whistler RBC Gran Fondo on the weekend, and his other son-in-law ME (hi mom!) completed the FY8K, so it was a great weekend for the born-again athlete, who will lace up in the 11K division of the seventh annual Campbell Valley Wine Run on Sunday, Sept. 22 in Langley.
Top three in the women’s 55-59 division, from the left: Lorraine Setter of Surrey, 41:00; Kelly Rowson of Surrey, 41:26; and Estelle Human of New Westminster, 47:02. (Gord Kurenoff photo)
FY8K pays it forward
The FY8K, designed to celebrate active seniors and shine a spotlight on those still doing amazing things in the athletic arena, never fails to inspire. Not only are you impressed by the Downeys, Breezes, McFarlans, Branders and Clements of the world, but seeing people get out and socialize, compare stories ranging from medical to grandchildren to travel, and celebrate life, is feel-good stuff.
The run also helps raise funds for the Dream On Seniors’ Wish Foundation, which claims you are never too old to become younger.
Fun On The Run blogger Gord Kurenoff of The Vancouver Sun/Province will lace up Saturday for the Under Armour Eastside 10K. He took part in his fourth FY8K on Sunday in Richmond. (Margaret Buttner photo)
FINISH LINES: The annual Under Armour Eastside 10K goes Saturday, Sept. 14, starting at 8:30 a.m. in Gastown. … As of today there are 20 spots left for the seventh annual Campbell Valley Wine Run in Langley on Sunday, Sept. 22. The popular event has three distances this year — 5K, 11K and 15K — and lots of food, prizes and refreshments. And don’t forget that Terry Fox Runs are held throughtout B.C. on Sunday, Sept. 15. Check out one in your city. … Finally, Tuesday is World Suicide Prevention Day. Every 40 seconds someone loses their life to suicide, which is a scary number. I encourage you to enter the Moustache Miler on Saturday, Nov. 23 in Vancouver and join the movement to address depression, suicide and mental health.
Gotta run …