Squamish resident Margreet Dietz made quite an impact at the BMO Vancouver Marathon on Sunday (May 1).
Dietz ate up the 42.2-kilometre marathon race in three hours, seven minutes, 41 seconds, the top time in her 40 to 44 age group and the fifth fastest time of any female competitor. She put together an impressive pace of 4:27 per kilometre, as she fought her way to the front against almost 1,400 other women.
"This was my third Vancouver Marathon, which looks relatively flat and fast on paper but it always proves tougher in reality, especially those final 10 kilometres," she told The Chief. "I ran 3:12 in 2008 and 3:10 in 2009, so I was stoked to improve that to 3:07:41 on Sunday."
Dietz, who trained with the Squamish Titans to prepare for the race, said winning her division was a thrill.
"Overall, I was happy with my pacing, which was fairly even, and I know I left everything I had on the course that day," she said, noting that it was her 13th marathon overall. "Winning the masters honour is very special."
Dietz said she plans on taking part in the upcoming Squamish Triathlon, as well as the Victoria Marathon in October in the coming months.
She wasn't the only Squamish resident who had a strong day at the race, as Volker Schneider placed 16th in his 40 to 44 age division with a time of 3:03:01. Schneider set a pace of 4:21 per kilometre, as he placed 71st overall among more than 3,200 other men taking part in the race.
The 21.1-kilometre half marathon also had some local flavour with Mike Heiliger finishing second in his 55 to 59 age group with a time of 1:32:24. Squamish's Jason Ross also had a solid showing with a time of 1:39:08, good for 47th out of 364 in his 35 to 39 age group. The top local female in the half marathon was Emma Seguss of Garibaldi Highlands, who finished 31st out of 610 others in the 35 to 39 age group with a time of 1:46:20.
In the eight kilometre race, Squamish's Colin Watson blazed through the course in 38:42. Watson placed fifth in his 35 to 39 division and 83rd overall. The top female was Garibaldi Highlands' Kimberlee Labrenz with a time of 46:47. Labrenz finished 15th in the 40 to 44 age group.
The Kids Marafun, which is a one kilometre race, saw Hailey Gagne of Garibaldi Highlands compete as the lone local. The five year old posted a time of 15:39 and placed fifth in her age group.
For more information and full results from the race, visit www.bmovanmarathon.ca.
