Paracyclist Karen March was named the athlete of the year at the recent Celebration of Women in Sport awards gala brunch at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence.
March, who represented Canada at the World Championships and Paralympic Games in 2004, retired from athletics to take up handcycling.
Coach Allison Dobb, from Rowing Canada, was named coach of the year. Robb is a candidate to be selected to coach the men’s heavyweight doubles to the Olympics in London this summer.
The builder award went to kettebeller Linda Gilmour, who has implemented a variety of programs, classes and
workshops for girls and teens, and has created the competitive Victoria Kettlebell Team Iron Belles.
Chantal Brodeur was named volunteer of the year for her time spent with the Special Olympics.
The gala also awarded a lifetime achievement award to Irene Schell, event manager with B.C. Games Society. Schell has been involved in organizing B.C. Summer Games events for the past 13 years.
Goddess run to support women’s transition house
Boys, this isn’t your race.
The newest race on the Victoria running schedule is for women only.
The Victoria Goddess Run debuts Sunday, June 3 in Langford, a women exclusive run with a half-marathon, 10-kilometre and five-km distances.
Over 900 women have already registered, nearing the cap of 1,500.
The Goddess run will support four local charities: the Women’s Sexual Assault Centre and the Women’s Transition House, as well as Promotion Plus and Sport Assist.
The race routes circle Glen Lake, with the half marathon then heading south into Lagoon Road in Colwood and Ocean Boulevard.
Info at Victoriagoddess.com.