Winners return to defend Harriers 8K win

Natasha Wodak and Geoff Martinson will both be back  to defend their Harriers 8K wins in Saanichton, B.C., from last year on Sunday, Jan. 12.

The race marks the first event in the Frontrunners Island Race Series and doubles as the British Columbia 8K road championships.

Wodak represented Canada at the world cross-country championships last spring in Poland.

“Training has been going OK through December,” said Wodak about her first race of the year. “I struggled a bit with a few annoying injuries and took a few extra days off, but the last two weeks things have really been coming together. I had my highest week of mileage since before the marathon last week.”

Dayna Pidhoresky will also be racing in the 8K. Pidhoresky is a new member of the British Columbia Endurance Project and trains with Wodak.

“I knew Dayna before she moved here and we always got along,” said Wodak. “I was happy to hear she would be a part of BCEP.  I’ve really enjoyed training with her. She’s a fantastic runner and a super awesome person. Once she’s back in tip-top Dayna-esque shape, I know we will be challenging each other and working together in the workouts.  It’s going to be an awesome spring and I’m very much looking forward to having her with our group now.”

In 2011 Martinson represented Canada in the 1500m at the world championships, but he has since stepped away from racing on the tracks and began working as a licensed Realtor in Victoria, B.C.

Other top seeds for the weekend race are Rob Watson and Kevin Friesen on the men’s side and Erin Burrett on the women’s side.