The horn sounded and we all started moving forward to the start line. I was able to start running as soon as I crossed the start and felt pretty comfortable running with the 2:30 pace rabbit.
For the first 5 km I kept up with the group but I wanted to hit a porta-potty but each one I came to had a lineup that I wasn't prepared to wait for so I carried on. I was running faster than 7:00/ km but I was falling behind my rabbit.
I stayed with the group as we passed the halfway point where my wife was waiting to cheer me on and I was able to pass her my gloves as I was warming up - finally.
I was running a pretty steady pace and mostly feeling pretty good in general. Just past halfway we run through a tunnel under a bridge and then carried on.
Just after the bridge I finally found a porta-potty without a lineup so I took advantage but I now lost track of the rabbit and her group so I just kept going on my own hoping I'd catch up.
At each AID station I drank what they called, "Gatorade". I wished they'd put more into each cup but I only stopped long enough to chug the cup and then started running again.
About 15km into the race I was breathing hard Zn 3 or 4 but maintaining my pace and feeling like I was running faster. I was even slowly catching and passing other runners. Then I started passing other stragglers from my pace group that I had started with.
I passed a couple training friends from Penticton which was a good boost to my spirits and the kilometres were passing quickly.
Then I came around a corner and ran under the bridge again and a volunteer said,"300m to the finish push hard!" and I did run faster. The chute was fairly long but it felt great with people on either side cheering me on by name and I crossed the finish line feeling good.

I want to run faster and already I am looking at how many minutes I could have shaved from my time. I'll have to come back again next year.

Across the finish line I got my medal and started looking for my wife and friends. I found them in the Expo tent keeping warm. I got some cookies, juice and banana. I didn't feel hungry but I was thirsty.
Fairly quickly I was cooling off and needed to change out of my sweaty clothes.
I also realized I was really tired. So much so that all I wanted was to get home and I knew it would be unwise for me to drive home so I asked my wife to drive us home.


I started running in April 2011 when I was 61. I'm not a strong runner but strangely to me, I seem to enjoy it. Especially when I run faster so I'm just enjoying finding out how far I can go with this.


The half marathon course is considered flat and fast (and a BQ for anyone interested). For me it was perfect. I will likely do this run again next year.