Chilliwack’s Kalyn Head the fastest female in Saturday’s Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 race

According to a news release from trail race committee Dave Stephen, the race sees runners travel approximately 30 kilometres on various trails and some roadways, starting and finishing at Main Beach. There were two events during the day—a 30 kilometre solo run, and a two-person relay covering legs of 17 kilometres and 13 kilometres.

Other than Bandiera, all the top finishers came from Chilliwack. After Head’s impressive finish, she was followed by Danika Snook at 3:04:56 and Heather Kirkconnell in third place at 3:10.21. The Second male to finish was Brendan Scott in 2:36:24 followed by Travis Vugteveen in 2:39:18.

In the relay events, the first to finish in the mixed team division was team “Two Shea”, Gerad and Katrina Shea, setting a new mixed team course record of 3:01:36. Sarah Bangma and Kelly TeBrinke, ‘’Team Sole Mates”, repeated as top finishers in the female relay division in 3:07:34. The first male team – and first relay team across the line overall − was “Wild Root Runners”, Jeremy and Chris Acker, in 2:46:40.

Top male and female solo finishers received unique walking sticks carved by Rick Den Braber. A special presentation of a carved walking stick was made just before the start by race founder Clarence Wiens, to acknowledge and thank the Around the Lake Give ‘R Take Race’s ultimate supporter and participant Alex Marks, who has participated in every year of the race as well as being a sponsor.

Image: Rick MacDonald Photography, used with permission / Kalyn Head of Chilliwack stands with Lynda Ferris during a presentation of a carved walking stick, carved by Rick Den Braber. Top male and female solo finishers received these unique walking sticks.

The race attracted registrants from around British Columbia, Bellingham, Washington, and as far as Dublin, Ireland. The annual event is organized by a committee of volunteers, under the auspices of the Around the Lake Trail Race Society. Funds generated through registrations and sponsorships have enabled race organizers to distribute thousands of dollars over 20 years to local, non-profit organizations that support outdoor recreation, as well as $1,000 scholarships for students in the Chilliwack School District.

The trails and lands travelled in this trail race are within S’ólh Téméxw, the unceded traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples, Stephen pointed out in his news release.

Next year’s Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 trail race is scheduled for Saturday, October 19.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack’s Kalyn Head the fastest female in Saturday’s Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 race

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