At TC10K, displays of joy, grief — and matching Barbie outfits
While the winners of the 35th Times Colonist 10K on Sunday — Thomas Nobbs and Mackenna Fitzgerald, who took the men’s and women’s titles — wore traditional running gear, others had a bit more fun with the 1990s theme.
Carolyn and Derek Dykeman ran across the finish line holding hands with a shared finish time of 54 minutes, 12 seconds, dressed in Barbie and Ken’s rollerblading outfits from last summer’s Barbie blockbuster.
Carolyn said the ’90s theme made it easier to persuade Derek to join her after she spent several years running on her own.
“She’s asked me every year and I finally broke down and said yes,” Derek said, joking that it was just like how they got married in the first place.
Darien Attridge, meanwhile, was back after a two-year break to triumph over a knee injury. “I wanted to beat my time with one less ACL — and I did it.”
But there were also plenty of first-time runners.
Finishing under the one-hour mark was nine-year-old Jake Wallace, ahead of father Sean Wallace.
Jake, who attends George Jay Elementary and runs track and cross-country, said he didn’t train much.
“I run in the mornings around the sidewalk,” he said.
Wallace said it was an amazing experience racing with his son.
“Everybody was cheering for him, and he’d run faster — and then I would have to run faster,” he said, still slightly out of breath.
Healthy Role Models was once again the largest team this year, at 114 registered participants.
And about 70 people joined the race from the Victoria Hindu Parishad, according to team captain Ashok Anjappa. The Hindu temple has participated in the race since 2011 and has found it a great way to connect with the community, he said.
A contingent from the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations made the trip from near Port Hardy on north Vancouver Island to take part.
Jamie Hunt said people from Port Hardy-area First Nations have been running and walking the TC10K as a way to remember those who died before their time.
The tradition began as a way to remember her brother John, who died by suicide in 2012, Hunt said.
The yearly gathering receives support from B.C.’s Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity an Recreation Council and this year’s hotel bills were paid for by the Kwakiutl band, she said, adding that fundraisers are also held so more people can participate.
About 50 people from four Port Hardy-area First Nations — the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw, Kwakiutl, Tlatlasikwala and Quatsino Nations — took part this year, she said.
More were expected to attend but had to pull out due to two recent overdose deaths in the community, Hunt said.
On Sunday, many of the runners wore yellow jerseys and wristbands in memory of Tony Zapp, who died in February.
Zapp, who is from Tlatlasikwala and Rivers Inlet, was an incredible soccer player, Hunt said.
North Vancouver Island has been hit hard by suicides and overdose deaths recently, with the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations declaring a state of emergency over the issue last month.
“We’re doing this for a cause that hits close to home for us. It’s one that nobody talks about, so we’re trying to take away the stigma around it,” Hunt said.
“It brings us together.”