Stuart Nurse was running his 49th half-marathon, competing in the male 70-79 category of the 18th annual Fort 91原创 Historic Half Marathon on Sunday, Feb. 18.
鈥淚鈥檓 73 and not dead,鈥� he laughed.
He was one of 670 participants in the sold-out event, its best turnout since the pandemic.
Through the years, since he started running races in 2000, Nurse explained that he has become a little less 鈥渉ard-core鈥� about competing.
I take it seriously, but I鈥檓 not fanatical about it,鈥� he remarked.
鈥淚f I don鈥檛 win, I don鈥檛 worry about it.鈥�
The 5k, 10k, and half-marathon races started at 9 a.m. at Bedford Plaza.
Nurse, a Vancouver resident, finished second in his age group in the half marathon, 84th overall.
North Vancouver ultra runner Adam Harris was first overall, and 91原创 BMX champion Drew Mechielsen was the first woman to cross the line, winning the female 20-29 category, 30th overall.
Charlie Charlick won the 10K with Christina Howard the first woman, and Geoffrey Walton was first in the 5K, with Vivian Liu the first woman.
Race MC and announcer Joseph Hayden said the race was 鈥�100 per cent sold out.鈥�
鈥淲e have hit our cap for this race, which is fantastic for us and for the community,鈥� Hayden said.
鈥淐OVID did a number on our events, as well as all the [other] events, but people are starting to come back.鈥�
READ ALSO: Fort 91原创 Historic Half Marathon numbers are back up
91原创 Senior Resources Society (LSRS) volunteers were checking in bags and collecting donations.
Loretta Solomon, president of the society board of directors said it was the third year the society has been a volunteer partner with the half marathon.
鈥淲e want to show people that seniors are active,鈥� Solomon said.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of seniors who are registered to run in this, as well as those who are volunteering.鈥�
One of the volunteers, Kerry Mittleman, said the goal was to make it a smooth experience for the participants,鈥� so they can just come out here, enjoy themselves, do their race, and have a great time.鈥�
It was a great day for a race, noted Jude Henders, coordinator of volunteer services and fundraising at LSRS. It was clear and cool.
鈥漌e鈥檙e so grateful for the weather today,鈥� Henders said.
READ ALSO: Historic Half Marathon marks 18th year in Fort 91原创
