2007 News from Peninsula Runners Victoria
Click here for 2007 photos | Click here for 2006 news & photos
Cool New Product: Timex iControl
November 2007: We just want to let all of our customers in on the newest product we carry. The brand new Timex iControl (click image to enlarge) is the coolest new product. It connects with your ipod and allows you to leave your ipod alone without fiddling during the run. For people who run with Nanos and ipod you understand the problem this solves. The biggest problem with adjusting the volume and changing the song is it's virtually impossible to not over-turn the dial or not pause or stop the run. This watch allows you to have the volume and controls on your wrist!
We have purchased 6 so far and Dave already has one of them so let us know if you'd like us to hold one for you! (Please note: this is not the Timex iControl that got the horrible reviews 2 years ago, this is a totally new product.) For those who are familiar with Timex, this watch is basically the Sleek!!! And for those who don't know, everyone who has a Timex is wearing the Sleek! To see the demo on the Timex website, click on "view demo" after clicking here.
New ENELL Bra Colours
Nov 8/07: New ENELL Bra colours! Come in and check out these flashy coloured Enell Bras and guess what… they are on SALE! Come in and get fitted into the most supportive bra around.
Marathon Bra Discontinued
Nov 6/07: ATTENTION ALL FEMALES: Peninsula Runners is sad to announce that one of your favourite bras is being discontinued. The popular and very supportive Marathon Bra comes in white and black and is for sizes 34-40 C-DD cups. For those of you who swear by this bra, come in and stock up before they all go for good. And for the rest of you ladies looking to update your bra wardrobe come in and try on the Marathon Bra before they disappear!
Meet our newest sponsored athletes
Oct 30/07: Peninsula Runners is really proud of our newest sponsored athlete Justine Johnson. Justine blew away the field to win the BC High School Cross Country Championships.
Profiles posted for our newest sponsored athletes: Chris Callendar and Jeff Hunt.
Welcome baby Julia (Wale)
Oct 9/07: Instead of joining his teammates on the start line of the Half Marathon on Sunday, James Wale was involved in a 'slightly' larger event! Peninsula Runners would like to congratulate James and Katherine Wale on the addition of their 3rd child. Daughter Julia will join two older brothers and is a healthy 7 lbs 13 ounces. Everybody is healthy and happy. Congratulations!
Peninsula Runners and Nike to sponsor 24 Hour Relay
Aug 23/07: Peninsula Runners is proud to announce the largest sponsorship deal in their history. The little store on Shelbourne will become the official sponsor of the 24 Hour Relay! Along with Peninsula Runners, Nike will once again be jumping back onto the island. For the last few years Nike has been vacant from Island races and events, this marks the debut of what Dave Milne says could be the comeback. "Nike is due for a resurrection at the running level. They have dominated many different sports over the past 10 years and running has been missed. Nike realized this about a year ago as been pushing hard to become number 1 again. This sponsorship is a sign of things to come!" The event happens next June. For information please check out the race website.
Dog Days of Summer: Steve O. Sprints to Second at Esquimalt 8K
Aug 07: Supporting athletes is a part of our mission, be they elite or looking to get there. For our part, we do our best instore and with projects like the Oak Bay 1/2 Marathon and the recently completed Esquimalt 8K. But friends of Peninsula Runners Kirstie Hudson and Kirk McNally have gone virtual, starting an online blog/documentary following Island athletes Jim Finlayson and Steve Osaduik on their Olympic quest. Kirstie, Kirk and Steve were out at the Esquimalt 8K and put together this great video. Check it out on their website www.215north.ca/27.
The Zone @ 91-3 Esquimalt 8k Race Report
July 29/07: Peninsula Runners would like to say thank you to the all the participants of the 3rd annual The Zone @ 91-3 Esquimalt 8km. The day was a success with great sponsors, participants and of course racing. The men's race was spectacular! Peninsula Runners' own Eric Kiauka out-kicked a strong field to win in 24:30. Steve Osaduik finished a close 2nd and David Jackson was 3rd. The unusual distance provided a close race for runners who don't often get a chance to compete against each other. Osaduik and Jackson are marathoners by trade and Kiauka is a middle distance runner, who specializes in the 3000 metre Steeplechase.
The race went according to plan—Osaduik led from the gun with Kiauka and Jackson on both flanks. Jackson made a move at 6km and had Kiauka on the ropes. Osaduik dealt with Jackson's surge and recovered. It wasn't until the last 500 metres that Kiauka got his kick going and was able to out-sprint the other two runners. The race was outstanding for those who were watching and Bob Reid gave the crowd excellent announcing all day.
The women's race was simple. Cheryl Murphy, who has been running excellently of late set a new course record of 28:50. Murphy looked strong all the way and was the class of the field from beginning to end.
The newest Sponsor of the Esquimalt 8km was the Zone @ 91.3FM and it added a new element to the race that has never been seen before. The atmosphere was great and 271 participants finished. 2007 is the new record high for number of participants. With runners, joggers, and walkers the Esquimalt 8km seems to be stronger than ever!
The race organisers would like to say a special thank you to The Zone, the Country Grocer, Brooks and especially Ed Bain for helping with the post race awards.
The Race Director, Dave Milne, would like to thank his staff. After the race when asked what he thought of the event he said "this race and all the races we do are successful because we do them as a team. I have the best staff on the Island and I know it!"
Spin Classes for Clinic Members
July 9/07: The first Spin class went off without a hitch! In fact Randy L'Heureux said “I sweated more there than I do on a 12 mile run!” For a bunch of first time spinners everyone had a great time! So, other clinic members who are interested in trying spinning please contact the store.
More classes will have to added due to demand but the official Peninsula Runners time slot at Fitness World is Mondays at 7:15pm. The class runs for about 40-45 minutes. Peninsula Runners would like to thank Fitness World for their time and effort and not to mention the excellent instruction!
This is how signing up will work: call the store and sign up (it is now open). We have all the weeks written out so you can sign up for a few or whatever. Each class is $6 and you pay Peninsula Runners and then we pay Fitness World for you. This is on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as the first class is full we will look at adding a second class.
MBT Physiological Footwear is here
MBT Physiological Footwear—You may or may not have heard of them but one thing is for sure—they work! Peninsula Runners is proud to be the 3rd store in Victoria to carry these innovative new products. MBTs have been available on the market since 1996, but are just now getting the hype they deserve. These shoes reduce stress on knee and hip joints, activate neglected muscles and improve posture. The results are instant and interesting. We recommend sliding a pair on and taking them for a quick test. The results may surprise you!
New event director needed for Panorama Classic Tri
David Milne has decided to step down as the acting race director of the Panorama Triathlon. "It was just too much work and too many sleepless nights" said Milne. "Lots of people seemed to really enjoy the event but plenty seemed to complain a lot as well." The race has asked for help from triathlon community but hasn't received too much. The store run club and customers of Peninsula Runners bailed out the 2007 version at the last minute when the charity pulled out. When asked about the event Milne said "people just don't understand how much work it is. For the event to be the success it can be, it needs to be a team event! I can help someone else do it, but I can't do it all alone with my staff. Especially with a second store location set to launch early next year."
The 2007 race had a complete overhaul and needs to keep going in this direction. Milne concluded by saying "lately, there are a ton of 'good' races out there and it's hard to compete. Local running races and triathlons need to reinvent every 3 to 5 years these days. It's a dog-eat-dog world in the running community and I wanted to be proactive to the changes. I have done this with the Oak Bay KOOL Half Marathon and Panorama needed it. I will write the cheques but I need someone else to baby the event!"
Update Nov 10/07: a replacement has been found! Adam Lawrence will be the new race director.
Young Sweetland wins first WC
May 16/07: Current Junior world champion Kirsten Sweetland of Canada has just won the 2007 Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup in South Africa. The 18-year old Canadian's time of 2 hours 3 minutes and 32 seconds was 15 seconds better then her closest rival, 2000 Olympic bronze medalist, Magali Di marco Messmer of Switzerland. Di marco Messmer was able to hold off a charging Christiane Pilz of Germany at the line for the silver medal. Pilz rounded out the podium in third, with another strong run, only two seconds down.
Calm, clear conditions welcomed 51 women to the starting pontoon as the athletes hit the water for the fourth round of the 2007 BG Triathlon World Cup series. Immediately in the first 300 metres two distinct packs would form and stay together over the opening two-lap, 1,500 metre swim. The lead group of Sweetland, Di marco Messmer, Pilz, Joelle Franzmann of Germany, Elizabeth May of Luxembourg, Kate Roberts of South Africa and Nicola Spirig of Switzerland would be joined by another 11 athletes within the first 5km of the bike course to form one large group off the front.
The chase group, containing many top contenders including Andrea Whitcombe of Great Britain and Nadia Cortassa of Italy, would be unable to organize themselves and continued to lose time to the lead group. Over the 40 kilometre bike course, little would change as the lead group continued to put time into their chasers and would eventually enter the second transition almost two minutes up.
Sweetland would immediately move to the lead of the runners and never look back, running 36:12 to stamp her arrival on the world cup scene. With the win, Sweetland is the youngest Canadian woman to win a world cup race and moves up to second in the BG Triathlon World Cup rankings.
Di marco Messmer crossed in second position after out-sprinting Pilz at the line, joyous of her first world cup podium in seven years.
2007 Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup – Elite Women results
1. SWEETLAND, Kirsten (CAN) 2:03:32
2. Di marco Messmer, Magali (SUI) 2:03:47
3. PILZ, Christiane (GER) 2:03:49
4. MAY, Elizabeth (LUX) 2:04:02
5. SPIRIG, Nicola (SUI) 2:04:25
6. WANG, Hongni (CHN) 2:04:36
7. IDE, Juri (JPN) 2:05:12
8. FRANZMANN, Joelle (GER) 2:05:31
9. ROBERTS, Kate (RSA) 2:05:43
10. ZEIGER, Joanna (USA) 2:06:06
- from www.triathlon.org
"Thank You Randy"
We received the following letter from a clinic member:
Dear Peninsula Runners:
RE: Randy L'Heureux
At this time I would like to take this opportunity to provide my thanks and gratitude for all the coaching Randy has provided me over the last 2 yrs (3 clinics). He devotes considerable time, energy, and dedication to all his participants. He tailors training schedules to each individual's level to achieve maximum performance. Randy encourages and enstills confidence to keep us going and is out at every session rain or shine.
After qualifying for the Boston marathon, at the last minute, Randy took the time to prepare me for the Race last year and because of his efforts, not only did I achieve a personal best but re-qualified. Today I completed the Vancouver marathon and qualified for Boston again. I have been running for 15 yrs with many running clubs and coaches and haven't found anyone, more dedicated and educated to coaching athletes, as I have with Randy.
Thank you, Peninsula Runners for employing such a excellent Marathon running coach. I am very excited to join Randy's marathon group again next Clinic.
Sincerely,
Lenora Brown
Newly designed finisher medals for Oak Bay KOOL Half
Peninsula Runners is proud to announce that 2007 will be the first year that finishers in the Oak Bay KOOL Half will be graced with the elegance of a Len Maycock designed Finisher Medal!!!
"Today the Oak Bay KOOL Half Marathon becomes a prestigious event for Vancouver Island," said Race Director David Milne. With the early influx of new participants and the new weekend seeming to be an early success the race budget has increased to the point where the event can have new and fun luxuries.
The finisher medal, designed by one of Vancouver Island's best and most creative engravers, will bring a new element to the event. Len Maycock has been doing medals for 20 years. His experience includes the Vancouver Island Race Series, the Classic Boat Festival, and the Times Colonist 10km.
With just over 2 weeks to go the Oak Bay event has already 400 runners in the KOOL Half Marathon. The other component to the Oak Bay event, the Asics Ekiden Relay, has also had a surge in early entries. The Ekiden Relay combines 4 people to compete as a team. Each team member runs a portion of the Half Marathon. The different legs of the event are 5km, 5.8km, 3.3km, and 7km—each runner runs once and then passes the sache to the next runner at the end of their leg. Last year the Relay division had 75 teams; this year we expect more than 110 teams competing in 5 different divisions: Male, Female, Mixed, Corporate, and Junior.
3rd Anniversary
Apr 24/07: Peninsula Runners would like to thank the community and customers for 3 great years of fun and success. April 24th concluded the first 3 years of our 3rd location in Victoria. Thank you to everyone who has walked in the front door and said hi!!! We have met some great people in 3 years and look forward to the next 3.
Deep Water Running
Here is a great opportunity for runners to get in an additional workout: Deep Water Running has helped many of our fellow runners and we wanted to pass along its success. The Gordon Head Recreation Centre on Tuesday nights from 8:30pm to 9:30pm seems to work great for all runners of all abilities. If you're fighting a niggling injury and need to get the heart rate up, give it a try!!
Shockwave Therapy from Synergy Health Management
Apr 2/07: Victoria's All-in-One heath centre, Synergy Health Management, has a new toy for Victoria. Shockwave Therapy is the newest and safest technology from Europe for treating heel pain, plantar fascitis, tennis elbow, knee pain or any tendon or bone injury. This technology boasts the highest and safest success rate over any other therapy at up to 91% with no dangerous side effects in comparison to its alternatives. If you are hassled by nagging injuries you might want to try the new treatment. If you are interested in trying a treatment or finding out more about it please contact Synergy at 727-3737.
Project Ecuador
See journal entries on YouTube.
Zoot is here!
Peninsula Runners is excited about carrying the coolest triathlon product in the world!!! Zoot is here and on the shelves for all the triathletes of Victoria!!! We now carry Wetzoots, tri tops and bottoms and will soon have a great variety of exciting Tri product. Victoria's own Samantha McGlone is sponsored by Zoot.
New clothing lines at Peninsula Runners
Feb 6/07: Peninsula Runners is proud to present 3 new clothing companies to our customers. We now stock InSport, Louis Garneau and CW-X. InSport is known for their quality. The American company provides us with some excellent lifestyles pieces. Louis Garneau has been a staple in the cycling community for years. Now they bring a new flavour of style and lifestyle wear to our store. CW-X has become known as "the" supplier of compression wear for runners and athletes. Their body mapping leads the market and provides athletes with options and solutions to running and working out in all different climates. Anyone who has a tight hamstring in the cold weather should try one of the compression tights or half tights!
STEVO's kind heart
"You know you've all heard about Steve Osaduik's kind heart, but I have to share one that somewhat reached me..." read more on PIH message board
New Lacing System at Peninsula Runners: Yankz
Jan '07: Triathletes and Runners of the world unite! The newest lacing system on the market is here at Peninsula Runners.
"When I tried the product I was super impressed," said Michael Shewchuk, the Manager of the Victoria location. "When Monika and Miranda brought me back one to try, I knew it would be a winner."
Two long time run clubbers, Monika Brusso and Miranda Andersen were running in Houston and found the product at the expo. They brought home samples and now we have the products.
The neat thing about Yankz versus other companies is the ability for them to keep their elasticity, while being easy to put on. Triathletes will love this product and runners will be able to use them because they are strong enough to keep the shoes the same tension throughout the entire run.
At Peninsula Runners we decided to bring in only the reflective model. "I had trouble taking the picture for the web, because the laces kept reflecting into the camera and you couldn't see the picture," said Shewchuk.
Adistar Comp 4 now available
Jan '07: Now available: The new Adistar Comp 4, exclusive colour only at Peninsula Runners. Worn by our very own Steve Osaduik and David Milne. This shoe weighs in under 8 oz and is perfect for the runner who wants to feel lighter and faster on their feet! (click image to enlarge)
Last chance to get classic Nike track spikes
Jan '07: Peninsula Runners purchased ALL the classic Nike Track spikes that were left. We are the only store in Canada that is carrying the classics (like the Zoom Miler shown at left) into 2007. If you want a pair or two you'd better call or email quick! Full details & more Featured Footwear
News on this page:
Cool New Product: Timex iControl
Meet our newest sponsored athletes
Peninsula Runners and Nike to sponsor 24 Hour Relay
Dog Days of Summer: Steve O. Sprints to Second at Esquimalt 8K (video)
The Zone @ 91-3 Esquimalt 8k Race Report
Spin Classes for Clinic Members
MBT Physiological Footwear is here
New event director needed for Panorama Classic Tri
Newly designed finisher medals for Oak Bay KOOL Half
Shockwave Therapy from Synergy Health Management
New clothing lines at Peninsula Runners