KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat men's and women's cross country teams competed in their first race of the season, running the Fast Days of Summer 5000 along the Kelowna Rail Trail on Sunday morning where Owen Lloyd and Lauren McNeil finished first and second respectively.
 
Lloyd, a third-year from Cambridge, Ont., looked strong during the race, winning the event in a time of 15 minutes, 48 seconds.
 
Meanwhile, McNeil, back with the Heat after competing for UBCO during the 2021-22 season while on exchange, showcased her impressive speed, running step-for-step with Lloyd for much of the race and finished second in 15:51.
 
In total, Heat runners claimed eight of the top nine finishes in the community event.

 
The Fast Days of Summer 5000, which also serves as a fundraiser for the Heat cross country program, is the first of four events that UBCO will run in in the lead up to hosting the 2024 U SPORTS Cross Country Championships at Mission Recreation Park this November.
 
The Heat will return to action in three weeks' time as they get set to compete in the Vancouver Spirit Run on Sunday, September 22.
 
HEAT RESULTS
1. Owen Lloyd – 15:48
2. Lauren McNeil – 15:51
4. Charlie Kanuka – 16:02
5. Kyle Porter – 16:13
6. Christopher Crowe – 16:28
7. Caleb Graham – 16:30
8. Kristen Smith – 17:02
9. Lucas Robertson – 17:07
12. Ezra Ganske – 17:15
13. Tori Bouck – 17:18
16. Brooke Lawlor – 17:38
17. Joel Geake – 17:41
18. Trevor Robertson – 17:49
19. Sophie Hamilton – 17:58
23. Miles Powell – 18:25
26. Lys Milne – 18:35
29. Ella Wigmore – 18:42
37. Abigail Yakemchuk – 20:07
44. Sharanya Vijayaraghavan – 20:42
46. Nora Prince – 20:54
49. Tessa Coyle – 20:58
56. Felicity Hanson – 21:57
63. Chyvonne Borsa – 22:49