Helly Visser rocks the World

Helly Visser

Victoria, BC – The Q’s Victoria Track – 77 year old Helly Visser of Vancouver, BC smashed the 75-79 age-group World Mile Record at the 4th meet of The Q’s Victoria Track Series. She bested the previous record by 10 seconds in 7:47.

Visser said, “I recently ran 8:05 in Calgary at a meet there, the World Record is 7:57, I don’t know if I can do it, but I am going to try”. She did, she ran 7:47. The first lap was well ahead of pace and announcer Paul O’Callaghan got the crowd cheering for her and she hung onto the World Record pace throughout. Upon finishing she announced to the crowd, “and what a wonderful meet to achieve the record at”.

Colin Dignum also of Vancouver raced the Men’s Elite 5000m event and bettered the Canadian 45-59 age-group record from its previous time of 15:27, by 5 seconds, catching two-time Olympian Bruce Deacon in the final lap to finish in 15:22.

Colin Dignum had an “A” goal; taking down the Canadian Record of 15:27, his “B” goal was the provincial BC record of 15:38. He accomplished both easily. Colin ran the first few laps conservatively watching the runners ahead. Deacon, who led Dignum by as much as 50 metres became victim late in the race as Dignum saved his best for the final lap, to take the record and the two time Olympian.

Also, during the 5000m Men’s race, Trevor O’Brien continued his excellent comeback from injury by winning his 3rd of 3 races at the Q’s Victoria Track Series. Full results are at: www.victoriatrackseries.ca/results/

Other races were: 400m Open, 400m Women’s Elite, Open mile and 5000m Open, which was won by Laurence Coogan in 16:07.

The weather, for the fourth consecutive meet was outstanding with little to no wind, warm temperatures and sunny skies.

The fifth meet of the eight meet series happens again at the University of Victoria  Track, Saturday, July 9th with the gun sounding at 6:30 PM. Athletes must sign in or be registered no later than 6:00 PM.

Proceeds go to the Mustard Seed Food Bank.