Local athlete wins 2018 Kamloops Marathon

For top female finisher Rika Hitachi, she was just happy to cross that finish line (in 3:13:37.6), considering some of the challenges she battled leading up to the event.

“I’m glad to be back,” Hatachi said after the race. “It’s been tough for me, with an injury and not enough training.”

For their efforts Sunday, both Rika and Ian earned a spot in the Boston Marathon, the oldest annual marathon and one of the most prestigious running events held anywhere.

“It’s a huge deal, and we’re one of very few marathons in western Canada that is a certified Boston qualifier,” Race Director Charlie Bruce explained. “We had to meet some pretty stringent measurements to be certified as a Boston qualifier.”

The 2018 Kamloops Marathon was special for Hatachi for a number of reasons beyond being the top female finisher. Rika and her husband Tatsuya both ran the race, while their daughter volunteered at the finish.

“This race has always been the most favourite race for us,” Hatachi said. “The weather is always good and the temperature is just perfect for us. We don’t like the chilly cold!”

Once McKinley recovered from his exhaustion, he took time to reflect on winning his hometown marathon, as well as those who helped push him to the storybook finish.

“It means a ton, being born and raised in Kamloops,” McKinley said. “Having all the support from Kamloops Ridge Runners and Runner’s Sole, the Dirty Feet crew… having all the support for the local runners here, it just means a lot.”

by Adam Donnelly

Local athlete wins 2018 Kamloops Marathon

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