For Leah Pells, competing at the B.C. high school track and field provincial championships was an eye-opening experience.

Competing for Langley Secondary at the 1980 and 1981 championships, Pells didn害羞草研究所檛 find the podium, nor did she run particularly well.

害羞草研究所淚 remember I didn害羞草研究所檛 run well either year, so I was disappointed,害羞草研究所� she recalled.

害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 think I placed higher than eighth. But it was a great event.害羞草研究所�

Of course, her lack of podium finishes didn害羞草研究所檛 hamper as a middle distance runner and at one point was ranked No. 1 in the world.

害羞草研究所淚 always tell kids that if you don害羞草研究所檛 do well there, there is still lots of time,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淲hatever happens there, you can build on it and propel yourself forward.

害羞草研究所淚 always remind kids that this is just one experience of many that you are going to have.害羞草研究所�

Starting Thursday (June 1), 2,500 athletes will go for gold as McLeod Athletic Park hosts the 2017 B.C. high school track and field championships.

The meet runs until Saturday.

And to celebrate the meet害羞草研究所檚 50th year, former Canadian Olympic athletes, national team members and provincial high school champions, will be on hand throughout the meet to present medals in the various events.

The list of presenters is still being finalized, but will include shot putter Dylan Armstrong, who won bronze at the 2008 Games.

Andrew Lenton serves as the track and field commissioner for BC School Sports, and he says while the event itself has gotten bigger 害羞草研究所� more athletes competing and the ability to live stream events thanks to advances in technology, to name a couple 害羞草研究所� the meet remains a marquee event.

害羞草研究所淲hen I competed in high school, this was one event that was on the national landscape,害羞草研究所� he said.

Lenton won bronze in the 1500m in 1984 as a Grade 10 student.

害羞草研究所淭his is where you want to be at your best and I don害羞草研究所檛 think that has changed (over time).害羞草研究所�

For more on the championships, visit www.langleytimes.com.