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Speedy Roots fifth at B.C. 10K championships

If Yukon was to have just one runner race in a championship, Whitehorse's Logan Roots would be high on the list. Roots was the lone Yukoner at SummerFast, B.C.
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If Yukon was to have just one runner race in a championship, Whitehorse’s Logan Roots would be high on the list.

Roots was the lone Yukoner at SummerFast, B.C.‘s 10-kilometre road championship, on Saturday in Vancouver.

The 22-year-old placed fifth out of 378 participants, finishing the course in Stanley Park with a time of 32:34.

“It was a great race - really hot,” said Roots. “But it was an awesome atmosphere. It’s right on the sea wall, so you’re not blocking traffic or anything, just weaving in and out of pedestrians. The group that puts it on has a bunch of baked goods at the finish line, so you sit out in the sunshine eating cookies and muffins.”

In addition to taking fifth overall, which was also fifth for men, Roots placed second in his male 20-24 category. He reached the finish line 1:04 behind the winner, Blair Johnston of Surrey, who also won the 20-24 category.

Roots placed better in his first B.C. 10K championships last year, but with a slower time. Last year he placed fourth overall and won his age category with a time eight seconds slower.

“It’s a new race, just getting going, so it builds better fields every year,” said Roots. “So hopefully next year I’m not third in my division and sixth overall.”

As quick as he was, Roots has posted a faster 10K. In Victoria’s Times Colonist 10K in April he set a personal best time of 32 minutes even.

“(Saturday’s) course is not particularly fast because of all the heat and twists and turns and pedestrians,” said Roots.

“It was the last race in the Timex B.C. series, but unfortunately you have to have five races for that and I only did four. Next year I think I’ll plan it a little bit better to be able to qualify for the series (rankings).”

Roots excels in all sorts of distances. He recently competed at the Canadian Half Marathon Championships in Calgary, placing third for his age division and 19th overall.

Just a couple weeks ago he set the course record at the Yukon Five-Kilometre Championships in Riverdale, becoming the first person to break the 16-minute mark.

The two-time Yukon River Trail Marathon winner will also attempt to defend his full-distance title in the event on August 2.

Contact Tom Patrick at

tomp@yukon-news.com