Coquitlam's Sandra Walter probably spent Saturday night partying like it was 2001 after taking home the top prize in the women's Test of Metal.
Walter last won the Test of Metal 12 years ago and said it was a battle all race long to reach first place.
I thought the race had gotten away from me early on, she said. I fell back to fourth pretty early and had to recuperate and just went on my own pace.
Brackendale's Brandi Heisterman was in the lead for the much of the race but Walter said she passed Heisterman on the Ring Creek Rip and then overtook Jean-Ann Berkenpas after she flatted near the Powerhouse Plunge. She then passed Kate Aardal shortly after that and held the lead for the rest of the race.
I just put my head down and tried to hold on, she said. This is the perfect example of never giving up I was a little bit worried at the start of the race, but just didn't give up.
Walter finished with a time of three hours, 21 seconds, beating out Calgary's Aardal by about 2 minutes and Berkenpas from Maple Ridge by just over three minutes.
Heisterman placed fourth overall, but said she was more than happy to pick up eight of the 10 primes, worth $100 each.
My strategy was to win as much money as I could, she said, smiling. I knew I had to just pin it and I pushed as hard as I could before I got caught. It was a bit of a risk but I'm happy with the money.
She said it was an ideal day for the race, after two straight years with rainy conditions.
This was perfect, she said. The community got to get out and really enjoy it. I had a lot of fun even if I didn't win.
Also winning primes for the women were Walter and Berkenpas.
Mikayla Martin again won the women 14 to 19 division with a time of 4:45:08, with local rider Judy Roberts posting the top time in the 60 to 69 women age group.
Other local women who placed top three in their respective divisions included: Sally Enns (second, 14 to 19), Regan Kohlhardt (second, 20 to 29), Catherine Gendron (third, 30 to 34), Sarah Greenwood (third, 35 to 39), Kathy Cormack (second, women 45 to 49) and Barb Cooke (second, 50 to 54).
For complete results from the race, visit www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=9831.
