Inspiring stories abound at Vancouver Sun Run
Among the first fleets of runners to finish this year’s Vancouver Sun Run was Brendan O’Brien.
The sweaty-browed, fatigued O’Brien clutched his stomach after he huffed and puffed his way across the finish line of the annual 10K in less than 40 minutes along with several members of his New Balance North Delta running group. What’s impressive is that O’Brien is just 12 years old.
His was just one of many impressive stories to be told from 34th annual run held under brilliant blue skies Sunday. A total of 41,645 participants registered for the race, the largest 10-kilometre run in North America.
Teammate — and full-grown adult — Daryl MacLeod was wowed by O’Brien’s performance.
“He’s our inspiration. We’ve got to beat him now,” MacLeod said through a wide grin. “There are not too many chances left.”
Shari Boyle started the race with other elite women and was among the first people to cross the line. It was the Calgarian’s first Sun Run and she said she found it hard but felt she performed well.
Unlike most routes, this one starts off with a lengthy decline where a runner can easily stray from their race plan, she explained.
Paul Willier ran the Sun Run with a group of friends who were all dressed in cow costumes. “The cows decided to go on the run,” as one explained while penned inside the yellow corral at the start line.
Willier finished the run ahead of the rest of the herd and waited for them to catch up at the finish line where he paused to reflect.
“I missed it,” he said of running. “I’m really happy to be here.”
Willier was diagnosed with cancer several years ago and had missed the last three runs. This year, his doctor and surgeon gave him the green light to run the race.
“I was one of the lucky ones,” he said. He encouraged others to remember that no matter what the day may look like, they’re still here to see it.
Willier and fellow members of the herd wore green and yellow ribbons in honour of members of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team.
The cows were hardly alone in running the route in costume. Joining them were superheroes Batman and Robin, several supermen and women, a half-dozen bananas, at least one hotdog and one sausage, a Grinch, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and a chicken, who explained why he preferred to run in costume.
“Nobody wants to get beaten by a guy in costume,” said Tilman von der Linde, explaining that he just wanted to motivate the people behind him.