The 2024 Vancouver Island Race Series is set to stage its first event, the Harriers Pioneer 8K, on Jan. 14.
The 45th annual event is hosted by the Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club. Start time is 11:30 a.m. It is located in North Saanich about three kilometres south of the Swartz Bay ferry terminal and one kilometre north of Sidney and the Victoria Airport.
The certified 8K course features an out-and-back route through rural farmlands just north of the Victoria International Airport along mainly quiet country roads.
The start/finish lines are at the Tourist Information Centre just off the Patricia Bay Highway. Pre-race package pickup, post-race refreshments and awards are at North Saanich Middle School, 10400 McDonald Park Rd., a few hundred metres away via a pedestrian overpass across the highway.
The Harriers road race is one of the eight races of the series that takes place from January to April. The distance varies from five kilometres to a half marathon. Registration for all eigth races is now open or any individual race within the series.
Races in the series include:
• Harriers Pioneer 8K – Jan. 14
• Cobble Hill 10K – Jan. 28
• Cedar 12K – Feb. 11
• Hatley Castle 8K – Feb. 25
• Westcoast Sooke 10K – March 10
• Comox Valley RV Half Marathon – March 24
• McLean Mill 10K – April 7
• Bazan Bay 5K – April 14
To register, you can go online at https://www.islandseries.org/races/
— NEWS Staff
