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VIDEO: Comox local wins Ucluelet’s Edge to Edge half-marathon

“It was just excellent and I had so much fun.”
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Comox local Stephan Smit was all smiles alongside his daughter Mia and wife Maria after winning Ucluelet’s Edge to Edge half-marathon on Sunday. (Photo - Andrew Bailey)

Ucluelet wrapped up another exciting Edge to Edge event on Sunday after crowning a Comox local as its champion.

Stephan Smit of Comox B.C. completed the Edge-to-Edge half-marathon’s course in one hour, 18 minutes and 28 seconds taking the event’s top honours.

“I’m very stoked about the time,” Smit, who bested second place finisher Allan Roberts of Kingston Ontario by over six minutes, told the Westerly News. “I felt strong and ended strong.”

He added overcast skies provided the perfect weather for running and he was impressed with how well the event was organized by locals.

“Great race,” he said. “Very friendly marshals and great marked course. It was just excellent and I had so much fun.”

Ucluelet local Jonathan Hopkins placed third overall and first among locals.

“It’s a fun little run and something that me and my wife get to train together to do,” he said adding he went into the day’s event hoping to best his time from last year, which he did by over three minutes.

He said Edge to Edge is an important local feature and he was proud to see it shine again.

“It’s very cool for Ucluelet,” he said. “Not only does it put Ukee on the map a little bit more, but it showcases the great volunteers that we have and the community spirit. It’s great overall.”

Edge to Edge included a 10-km race, which was won by Port Alberni’s Royd Burkart with a time of 41 minutes and 40 seconds. Ucluelet’s Robin Lavigne was the race’s fastest local, finishing in 47 minutes and 55 seconds and placing fifth overall.

“I’m really proud of myself. This is an accomplishment,” Lavigne said adding he plans to compete every year from now on. “It was the best. I’ll be a regular.”

Mid Island-Pacific Rim NDP MLA Scott Fraser attends Edge to Edge each year to congratulate every finisher and told the Westerly News that the popular event is a key contributor to the community’s strong reputation.

“Edge to Edge is an important event for Ucluelet because it brings people from all over the province, all over the country, all over the world, to this beautiful place,” he said while handing out medals at the finish line. “The atmosphere is fun. It’s exciting. People come back for more every year and it just gets better and better and better.”



Andrew Bailey

About the Author: Andrew Bailey

I arrived at the Westerly News as a reporter and photographer in January 2012.
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