On May 10th at the Elk/Beaver Lakes Ultramarathons in Saanich, Keith Wakelin, a long time member of the Comox Valley Road Runners, broke the Canadian record for 50 miles in the 65-69 age category.
His time of 8:04:20 took 24 minutes off the previous record set by Wayne Gaudet last year.
Incredibly, Wakelin was on world record pace until around 65k, where he began to slow significantly.\
This is Wakelin鈥檚 second Canadian record over the 50 mile distance. Six years ago he broke the record in the 60-64 category.
鈥淚 only run one 50 miler every five years or so, as I find them very uncomfortable in the final 30k. I think my body is more suited to 50k where I can maintain a good pace, without too much discomfort. However I seem to have some success at the 50 mile distance, so maybe I just keep going as fast as possible to get it over with!鈥�, Wakelin said.
This was the first time Wakelin has won the event outright, even though he was the oldest in the field.
鈥淚 feel very fortunate that I鈥檓 able to continue to train for and race ultramarathons at this age鈥�, said Wakelin.
He also set an age category record at the Tarawera Ultra 53k back in February in his hometown of Rotorua, New Zealand. Another milestone coming in July will be Wakelin鈥檚 30th running of the Kneeknacker 30 mile trail race on the North Shore mountains of North Vancouver.
In September he will attempt another Canadian record in the six hour event, held in Duncan on the high school track.
