The 16^th Bowen Island Rotary Run – what a brilliant day that was! The sun shone down on us but not too strongly, for which we are thankful. We are also thankful to all of you who ran or walked with us on Saturday; it was a great and enthusiastic crowd. This year we started and finished on the Causeway boardwalk due to ferry dock construction, and will perhaps do the same next year.

We are grateful to all our donors and sponsors who so generously supported us: Presman Wealth Management, Bellwater Water Systems, Frits de Vries Architects, Tomo Spaces, Dr. Gloria Chao, Bowen Island Properties, the De Vries, Ockeloen and Adams families and Jason Brown Construction; Snug Cove General Store, Artisan Eats, the Snug Café, Ruddy on Bowen and Savary Island Pie Company; and we can’t forget the prize donors: Lululemon, Artebella, Forerunners, Bowen Island Pub, Tippy’s, Phoenix Books, USSC, Catherine and Kathryn at The Burrow, and Cates Pharmacy.

Everything we earn on our run goes straight to the young women in Rwanda whom we support with high school and university scholarships, so it is our supporters who are essential in our ongoing mission. We had at least 30 volunteers, both Rotarians and many others, either helping with registration, handing out refreshments, out on the course keeping everyone on the right trail or supplying water to the thirsty.

Results for all the events (except for the kids’ run which we don’t time) are on up our website komeracanada.ca, even the walkers. If your time seems a bit slower than last year, don’t worry! This year we remeasured the course to make an exact 5K, hence the difference!

Here are the major winners for this year’s events:

9 and under Kids’ run Boys: 1^st Beckett Graham; 2^nd JP Kane; 3^rd Julien Ramond

9 and under run Girls: 1^st girl: Emma Graham; 2^nd Lara Luckham, 3^rd Maddie Kleingeltink

12 and under 5K Boys: 1^st Will Butler (24:56)

12 and under 5K Girls: 1^st Kara Waters (29:08)

5K Run Male: lst  Zach Kennedy (18:42) 2^nd Oscar Ryan (19:48); 3^rd Dallas Lecoy (21:33)

5K Run Female: lst Kathryn Kennedy (21:59); 2^nd Ariana Lunn (24:49); 3^rd Gemma Leishman (24:55)

10K Male: lst Nicolas Feliciano (36:01)); 2^nd Justin Morin (37:45); 3^rd Colin Kerr (41:14)

10K Female: lst Ginger Rose (49:49), 2^nd Patricia Gray (55:47); 3^rd Takasho Arisa and Kagamoto Ayuto (66:40)

There are some excellent photos of the run on our website: komeracanada.ca. If you would like a particular photo, let us know and we will find it for you in our archives!

We look forward to seeing you all at the 17^th annual Bowen Island Rotary Run on August 28^th, 2027!

If you couldn’t make it this year, please think of sending a donation to komeracanada@gmail.com to help us raise funds for our scholarship girls in Rwanda! Otherwise, see you next year on 28^th August!