Image: Rick MacDonald Photography, permission from Dave Stephen / Former Chilliwack city councillor Sam Waddington was one of over 200 participants in Saturday's 19th annual Around the Lake Give 'R Take 30 trail race at Cultus Lake.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Trail race

Tough competition abounds at 19th annual Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 race

Oct 18, 2022 | 9:31 AM

CHILLIWACK — While thousands of Chilliwack residents were hitting the streets toward their local polling station on Election Day this past Saturday, a group of diehard runners made their own statement pounding the trails around Cultus Lake over the weekend in the 19th annual Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 Trail race.

Over 200 racers traversed the pathways surrounding Cultus Lake under largely smoke-free skies, benefitting from warm temperatures, and ultra-dry and dusty conditions, though the dry settings did slow runners down and no course records were set, according to Dave Stephen, who was part of the Around the Lake race committee.

The race kicked off and finished at Main Beach not far from ongoing dock restoration work, featuring a 30-kilometre solo run and a two-person relay covering legs of 17 and 13 kilometers.

Vancouver’s David Bandiera was first solo racer to cross in 2 hours, 41 minutes, and 45 seconds, followed at 2:44:44 by by Chilliwack’s Mike Hanninan. In third place was well-known Chilliwack trail runner Gary Robbins, who finished in third at 2:46:46.

The top woman was Abbotsford’s Courtenay Landsiedel in 2:54:43. She was followed by Chilliwack’s Jessica Temple at 2:59:56 and Lora Bartel, also of Chilliwack, in third place at 3:04.45.

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The top male and female solo finishers received unique hand-crafted walking sticks carved by Rick Den Braber.

In the relay competition results, the top female team went to “Team Sole Mates,” consisting of Sarah Bangma and Kelly Tenbrinke of Chilliwack. They crossed the finish line in 3:07:47, the fastest of any relay team. The top mixed team of Lauren Best of Coquitlam and Jacob Collins of Burnaby, nicknamed “Loco” finished in 3:08:31, while the top male team of Mike Nicholson of Chilliwack and Mike Greenway of Cultus Lake recorded a time of 3:23:19.

The race – back to a full field after two years of pandemic affected events – attracted registrants from throughout the Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, Okanagan and as far away as Edmonton, Wadena, Saskatchewan, and Bellingham, Washington.

Image: Rick MacDonald Photography, permission from Dave Stephen / Angela Froese, a local physiotherapist, competes in Saturday’s Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 race.

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 allowed race organizers to hand out thousands of dollars over 18 years to local, non-profit organizations that support outdoor recreation, as well as $1,000 scholarships for students in Chilliwack School District.

Next year’s 20^th Around the Lake Give ‘R Take trail race is scheduled for Saturday, October 14.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Tough competition abounds at 19th annual Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 race

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