Kamloops cross-country runners heading south for provincials

“I know nothing about the course,” said Roberts, the senior boys’ city champion. “I know it’s going to be five kilometres long and if history repeats itself… it’s going to be very wet in the Lower Mainland.”

The Thompson-Okanagan Championships took place on Oct. 28 in Kamloops.

Four Kamloops-and-area runners earned top-ten overall finishes. Raath and Johnston placed second and fifth, respectively, among senior girls, while Durnin snared silver and De Visser was 10th in the junior girls’ division

Valleyview is sending seven athletes to provincials, the most of any local school, and its numbers including three German exchange students – Lindstrot, Wolter and Bredahl.

“We all kind of do a little bit of running in our home country, so we just joined and it was really fun,” Lindstrodt said.

Johnston, who won silver in the senior girls’ city championship, is expecting to deal with butterflies before the race on Saturday.

“It’s very nerve-racking because some are ending their season if they’re not going to nationals,” Johnston said. “You’re really wanting to do your best. But, you know, what you do out there is just the best you can do, so I’m just really happy to go.”

Chase is expecting most of the provincials events to feature between 400 and 450 runners.

“It is elbow to elbow for most of the race,” she said. “Our juniors run 4K, our seniors run 5K. It’s very competitive.”

Covaceuszach, the lone Crusader, was asked how she plans to handle fatigue.

“I just think in my head how bad I want to beat the person in front of me,” she said. “I just take a couple of deep breaths and give it all that I can.”

by Marty Hastings

Kamloops cross-country runners heading south for provincials

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