Last Saturday the Vashon High School cross country team held its eighth annual ferry dock to ferry dock run.

A shuttle bus was provided so that the participants could either run the full 13.5-mile distance from the Tahlequah dock to the north end dock, or just run various portions along the route.

Two dozen runners who participated in this year’s event, and seven completed the entire course. Participants included high school and middle school team members, parents and community members.

Bruce Cyra, a local well-known distance runner, ran the length of the Island in 1:31, the fastest time. Others who completed the 13.5-mile distance were Magnus Wallgren, a Swedish exchange student who came in second at 1:47, Shelly Affolter, Kevin Kim-Murphy, Claudine Kim Murphy, Kate VanHoudt and cross-country coach Laura Johnson.

Anyone who was in the ferry line to catch the 10:20 a.m. or 10:40 a.m. ferry at the north end had the opportunity to watch the runners as they completed the race. Those who were early for the 8:50 a.m. boat at Tahlequah were treated to watching the start of the event. On Thursday the Pirates will head to Point Defiance Park for a cross country meet with Seattle Christian and the host school Life Christian.

— Kevin Ross is a cross country coach at Vashon High School.