Participant race reports will also be added here within the next few days, for now here’s the first one:

• Triing in Victoria – It was hard!!! Haha. It was actually pretty funny, on the way up we were discussing the course, and were saying we remembered it as a flat course. We were so wrong!!!
• Jeff Hunt – I had no idea what to expect this race day. The past two weeks have been intense for me…

Congratulations to everyone who came out to enjoy the first race of the series. The next race is the Cobble Hill 10K which will take place on January 24. To register click here.

Full results here.

Race reports:

• Shane Ruljancich – Pioneer is the very popular first race of the Island Race Series. I’m quite surprised at the level of competition that shows up for this local race.
• Triing in Victoria - Prairie Inn 8k Race – report SO I hit up the Prairie Inn 8km road race on Sunday for the first race of the year.
• Kirsten Sweetland – Yesterday we raced the Pioneer 8k…my first running race in years!
• Kyle Jones – 8k Results & Pictures – Here’s a link to the results from the 8k and a few pictures from the race (taken by Tony Austin)
• Steve Osaduik – WE MAY AHVE BIT OFF MORE THAN WE COULD CHEW! But that was the point; Richard and I raced the Pioneer 8km in Saanich this Sunday and took it out quick…
• Derek – The Sparse Race Report (Pioneer 8km) – In lieu of an actual race report, I decided to do something kinda fun. I will describe each km of the race in 5 words. 5 words ONLY…
• Donald Peterson – Pioneer weekend – This morning I was looking at running the Prairie Inn Pioneer 8K…
• Adam Campbell -1st Post: Squeezing out speed – I raced the 31st Prairie Inn Pioneer 8km this am. It was a perfect day for running, 8 degrees, no wind and a dry course. A nice respite from the wet and soggy runs that I have been doing… AND 2nd Post: 4.5 km in…
• Jeff Hunt – Pioneer 8k – It was surprising to me how excited and nervous I was for this race…
• Kamal Rae - Pioneer 8km – It sucked. Signed up day-of and just felt off, wanting to walk after a couple of km, and stop at 4k, but finished…

• NTC – Last Wednesday NTC rocked the 4×5k Thetis Lake relays!
• Myke LaBelle – Kamal, myself, tyler and new found Lief put together a team for the thetis lake relay today…
• Chris Callendar – It was awesome to get out racing again!
• Shane Ruljancich – I think I mentioned this in my post about the relay last year, but I am still (pleasantly) surprised at how popular this event is…
• Jeff Hunt – Something can be learned from every race, and today was an example of just that…

http://www.racedaytiming.ca/shawnigan2009.html

Also check out Jeff Hunt’s write-up from the race here.

• Juvenile, Junior, Open & Masters
• Junior Development
• Junior Development Team

Athlete Writeups

• The Running Diva – BC XC Championships! 20:32 (56:52) – We were lucky again this year with the weather for BCs…
• Nick Best – BC X – If RVM was a good day, things couldn’t have gone more differently on Sunday…
• Running Gay – Almost – I ran my plan without the result I was looking for….
• Steve Osaduik – BC CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS: OCTOBER 31ST HALLOWEEN DAY – We all lucked out with the weather, no rain and plenty of sunshine and the course at Jericho was dry and fast…

The 30 kilometer trail race around Chiliwack’s Cultus Lake drew a small but determined crowd last weekend, despite the torrential rain. Results are posted here, as well as photos here.

We’ve found three write-ups so far: Nicola Gildersleeve (who was first female and 4th overall), Darin Bentley (who was first male, 1st overall), and Heather Vestergaard (who was second female overall). If you know of any others please let us know.

*OCT 21 UPDATE: We’ve just become aware of another write-up, this one from Dirk “IKE” Handke, a member of the Kelowna Running Club. Dirk and his running partner Katrina finished first in the 2 person replay team category.

• Woman on the Run – Race report: Excitement+pain=endorphins – “Endorphins” – (definition) – Endogenous opioid polypeptide compounds produced by the pituary gland during strenuous exercise, excitment, pain and orgasm.” I won’t say today’s race was better than sex – but oooh baby, what a feeling!
• Nick Best – RVM Half Marathon – Spoiler, I had a good day. After a good week of good tapering, it was time to race…
• A Runner’s Tale – King of Pain – As for my race, it was solid, something I’ve been hoping to achieve for a few years…
• The Running Diva – RVM Half-Marathon 1:15:39! – Once the race got underway, I kept an eye out for anyone who looked like they were settling into a similar pace as me…
• Dirge Rhetoric – Royal Victoria Marathon – 2009
• Nomad Runner – First Race in 2009 – I raced the 8 k this weekend and was pleased with the time: 27:27.
• ELM – Royal Victoria Marathon/Half – The Comox Valley was extremely well represented this weekend at the Royal Victoria Marathon and Half Marathon…
• Vincent’s Ramblings – Victoria Half Marathon – This was pretty much a perfect weekend!
• Richard Knowlton – RVM – All I can say is I’m glad that I didn’t know yesterday that I was going to feel like this today…

Last month a number of BC runners took part in the TransRockies Run, a 113 mile, 6 day stage race through the Colorado Rockies. a It has taken a little time to compile these reports but here are the ones we’re aware of:

Adam Campbell (3rd along with partner Aaron Heidt in the Open Men category):

• Quickie – Just a quick recap while I sit at the airport. Talk about highs and lows. Luckily, there were more highs than lows and the race will stick with me for a while…
• Posting While Tired – Wow, I just re-read my race report. Despite my (apparently misguided) belief that I do my best work while half asleep, that was rough…

Gary Robbins (Winner along with partner Tamsin Anstey in the Open Mixed category):

Trans Rockies Road Trip (Pre-Race) – The Gore-Tex Trans Rockies Run, one of the absolute best events I have ever had the pleasure to be a part of!

• T.R. Report, Stage 1 – It’s taken me far too long to get to this because in all honesty I know I simply can not do justice to what an incredible experience this truly was…
• Tran Rockies Day 2, Hope Pass @12600 FT! – I awoke at the crack of dawn and headed back to the campers village to grab Tamsin for breakfast…
• A Wedding, A Run Round Hood, & A TRR Stage 3 Race Report! – As was becoming the theme, the mornings were bitterly cold. We had slight rains the day before but certainly nothing worth complaining about…
• Trans Rockies Stage 4, Wearing Red! – Well let me just start with this, Tamsin has given me full permission to post the rest of the nosebleed pics! Since I think they shouldn’t be missed here they are…
• TRR Stage 5, My Favorite Day – If you didn’t take the time to look at the entire six day race profile in advance of day one, and strategize around what you saw, then day five would surely be about the time when your body started dropping incessant f-bombs on you…
• Stage 6, The Grand Finale! – I was out kayak racing last night and thinking about my race report while trying not to puke on myself in the boat…

Nicola Gildersleeve (participated in Open Mixed category along with partner Peter Watson):

• TransRockies 2009- Trip/Race Report – I don’t even know where to start! This experience was so much more than I ever thought it would be.

• Jeff Hunt – 56K Great Lake Ultramarathon – Leading up to this run, I was a little uncertain of what exactly would transpire on race day…
• Cheak Challenge – This weekend was a full on race weekend. Two big races back to back. What more could you wish for?
• The Running Diva – Lands End 10K – 34:36 – We sure got a beautiful day to run a race !  The conditions were absolutely perfect with sunny skies, a light breeze and cool…
• Bruce Grant – Cascade Crest 100 – There is nothing quite like doing an activity for the first time. Yes, there is that, but I’m specifically referring to athletic endeavors…
• Vincent’s Ramblings – Sooke Race Report – I decided to wait before writing this report and for that I’m glad I did…
• Nicola Gildersleeve – Frosty Mountain 50K Race Report – After hearing so much about how spectacular the scenery was at the 1st annual Frosty Mountain 25km/50km trail ultra event in 08′, I felt compelled to check it out for myself…

The pair completed their quest with the Nootka Trail, completing the 40km distance along the west coast of the island in just under 6 hours. A recap of the run can be read on Jeff Hunt’s blog here. An excerpt is included below:

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The Nootka Trail Run was a run that was actually intended for last year. However, logistically and financially it simply did not happen in time for me last summer. Once again, my buddy Bob Wall would be joining me for this epic adventure.

So for over a year I have been planning, training, and gearing up for this one special day. This day would mark the conclusion of the “West Coast Conquest”. Completing this run, would make Bob and I the only people to have run the 4 major coastal trails of Vancouver Island (JdF, WCT, NCT, and Nootka). Unlike the other trails, there is not much information on the Nootka Trail really out there. A good map was difficult to find, but eventually one was found and once again, I took the liberty of studying the map and the guidebook thoroughly in preparation for the big day.

A few days before the run, there was some concern as to the state of Gold River. The town was on evacuation standby, as a forest fire was within 2k of the city and withing 400m of the city’s powerlines.

Continue reading on Jeff’s blog

• Heather Hollman – The First Half Ironman Experience – Well, here I am, sitting on my couch and sipping on my hot almond milk, recovering from one of the most intense weekends of my life…
• Runninggunner – Lifesport Westcoast Vancouver Sprint Triathlon – Sunday was my first race of the season and after 4.5 months of rehabbing my shoulder and recovering I was ready to go…
• Studio YVR – Cash and Win – Not a personal best for me as I was 7 minutes slower than at the Shawnigan Lake Half Iron however this bike course was 4 km longer.
• Stephen Kilshaw – next g0 – “Make yourself comfortable.” I heard this from the sidelines last year while in transition at the 1st 1/2 and thought, “Are you kidding me? This is a race! There’s no time to be comfortable!” Ahhh . . . yet still a young grasshopper.

Osooyoos Desert Half Iron

• Calvin’s Absurd World – Race Report – Desert Half Iron – For this race, I was fortunate enough to have my wife, Leanne, join me for the trip…

• FCH Life & Triathlon – SQUAMISH TRIATHLON Race Report – Olympic Distance – 05.07.09
• Tri’n Fool – Squamish Tri (Relay)
• Whistler Running – Squamish Tri 2009

Triathlon of Compassion (Sprint Triathlon held on July 5th in Esquimalt)

• Mj’s Tri Blog – Tri of Compassion – Race Report
• Road to Worlds 2009 – Race Report: Tri of Compassion
• Heather Hollman – Triathlon of Compassion

Yaletown Grand Prix (5K running race held on July 1st in Vancouver)

• Pistol Runs – Money for Nothing

Sidney Days 5K (5K running race held on July 1st in Sidney)

• A Runner’s Tale – Sidney Days 5K

ScotiaBank Half Marathon (held on June 28th in Vancouver)

• Running Bebe – Race Report: Scotiabank Half-Marathon

Victoria International Half (held on June 21 in Victoria)

• Vincent’s Ramblings – Erich’s Odyssey Part 5/5

So far two participants have posted regular updates from the race. Kim Steed on his blog here, and Selene Yeager on her blog here. If you are at all interested in the race and in perhaps trying it out then these are good posts to check out:

• VeloNews – A BC Bike beat down – The fifth day of the 2009 BC Bike Race saw a sizable line of riders queue up outside the Obsession Bikes bike maintenance tent at the finish line in Langdale…
• Playing Outside – Rock Steady: A summary of my 2009 BC BIKE RACE experience – I just got home last night from my 3rd edition of the BC BIKE RACE. My race partner Jeff Riemer and I raced again as TEAM HELLY HANSEN VANCOUVER ISLAND, but we also rocked our bike sponsors colours from STEED CYCLES and ARROWSMITH BIKES. The course was amazing this year, and while it was shorter the added singletrack really took a toll on the riders…
• Kim Steed – BC Bike Race- Day 1 on the Shore! – The start of the 1st stage of the BC Bike Race today was incredible. I have never been part of such a big biking event.
• Selene Yeager – A Rough Start – it’s been a long time since I’ve had a bad day. Too long. And eventually, well, you’re due. I was worried about Stage 1 of the BC Bike Race. And as it turned out, rightly so…
• Selene Yeager – BC Bike Race Day 2: Ouch – another day in paradise here at the BC Bike Race. Despite a pretty difficult day yesterday, I awoke feeling like I was ready for today’s 70 kilometer stage, which promised fewer death defying downhills (at least that was true)…
• Selene Yeager – Playing Hurt – As you’ve learned so far, in just two days here in BC I managed to blow myself out, tumble off a 5-foot bridge, and simultaneously taco my rear wheel and crack a couple of ribs…
• Kim Steed – BC Bike Race- Stage 4 – Here we are after Day 4’s 70k punishment! We started in Earls Cove and worked our way to Sechelt
• Kim Steed – Stage 5 – Great day on the Sunshine Coast for BCBR! The weather was hot and dry as we worked our way southeast to Langdale from the finish of yesterday’s stage.
• Kim Steed – Stage 6 – Today’s ride was a mix of Test of Metal and the Gear Jammer course in Squamish…
• Kim Steed – Stage 7 Done!! – The final stage of BC Bike Race was in Whistler with the start and finish at Creekside. Off the line we went up, up and yes, more up…

Following up from last weekend’s Hy-Vee ITU Triathlon Elite Cup, here are links to write-ups from Canada’s athletes which have been published so far:

• Simon Whitfield (winner of the men’s race) – and then that happened – well I’m home. and seeing Pippa launch herself at me for a hug when I arrived with “daddy daddy” was priceless. I wished I could just hit rewind over and over again, to see her reaction and to hear Jennie say “ahhhhhhh, Pippa misses daddy”. Life rolls on…
• Lauren Groves – Hy-vee Recap – So, I can’t lie, that was a pretty cool weekend. After three sleepless nights, I still feel as though I’m on a bit of a high from all the racing. We’re on the plane now and everyone around seems to be sleeping….except me!
• Kyle Jones – This is a tough one to write – I didn’t get much sleep last night and woke up this morning feeling like someone used my stomach as a punching bag. I’m very disappointed. I felt so rested coming into this race and after what happened last weekend I was motivated and confident that I could put together a great race…
• NTC Development Squad – pics from Des Moines – As you all know, a very big day for the big kids – Simon and Lauren both climbed onto the podium today..

• Madly Running Around – Scotiahalf – This is going to be short, but not because of anger or frustration, but just that time is seeping away from me…
• Running Gay - Goal Accomplished! I ran the Scotia Bank Half Marathon today and had a wonderful result. I was 8th overall with a 1:09.05.

Results:

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With a catch phase of “Are you Tough Enough?” Kusam Klimb markets itself as an epic endurance event. With 1500 meters of elevation gain in 5.5km and some very challenging terrain, it lives up to its billing. It has even been listed by elite trail runner Dale Reicheneder (scroll down about half way) as the toughest race he has ever done. While I don’t consider it to be quite as insane as Dale describes, if you have never done it yourself, mere descriptions don’t convey the length and grade of the ascent. You can also read a longer article by Sarah Seads here.

This was my third trip to Kusam (located near Sayward on the North East coast of Vancouver Island) in as many years and I have been fortunate enough to come cross the finish line first both times. In 2008, I had one of the best races of my career, where everything went right and I ended up setting a new course record of 2:23:04. Since I had such an amazing race last year, I knew bettering my time this year would not be easy. In addition, I found out that Adam Campbell was registered for the race and Jason Terauchi-Loutitt might make a last minute appearance. Even though I had prior knowledge of the course, I knew that would probably have to run the race of my life to have a chance of winning with those two on the starting line.

Continue reading…

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Jeff Hunt: The 63.5k Great Walk and Ultramarathon is a race that stretches from Gold River to Thasis along the “Tree to Sea” Highway. The highway, as it turned out, was about 40% paved and 60% gravel. Along the route, one will be witness to amazing waterfalls, lakes, trees and multiple clearcuts.

This was one of my big races for 2009. With the distance being 63.5k, it would be my second longest run ever. Races like this require careful planning and ample training if one is to be successful in even finishing it in one piece.
My partner in crime for this event was my buddy Myke LaBelle. At 22 years old, he has huge potential in the world of ultrarunning as his speed, distance and training are all impressive.

Continue reading…

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Myke LaBelle: Where to begin…

Wednesday night before the race a few friends and I got together for a beach campfire down in telegraph bay. The night was enjoyable and I went home around 11pm to wake up the next morning to find my feet covered in Sand flea bites. Gross I know. I panicked for a bit but nothing really happened. Friday morning, my feet were incredibly itchy and I had a race the next day. I got some medication for the bites but nothing was guaranteed to get rid of the problem by the next morning. Last year, two days before the Scorched Sole 50k I had my I.T. band flare up and I could barely bend my left leg while on the plane ride to Penticton. So I tried to keep positive and not think about my issue with my feet.

Continue reading…

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Finally, a bike race on the North Shore for the first time in years!!! With all the amazing trails we have, it took James Wilson’s passion and organizing skills to put together an incredible, exciting event, which will shape future bike seasons as we know them. I spoke to a lot of people who plan on training hard to improve their time for next years event!

The race started out on the paved road headed towards the Seymour Dam. This was lead out by James Wilson in his Toyota Truck and suprisingly got going very fast right off the start. There was a couple of short steep climbs that you had to push hard to keep up the speed. Once we had thinned out a bit we were directed down a gravel road for a short out and back to really string out the 200 racers, before heading South along Fisherman’s Trail.

Continue reading...

• Iron Knee 25K overall results
• Tender Knee 12K overall results

In addition, several write-ups have been posted by athletes who participated in the event:

• Brad Cunningham - This was the race that started it all. I had been running trails before this race, but once I had run this course, it was love.
• Nicola Gildersleeve – The start of this race has always been a weakness of mine because it begins uphill. My heart rate is usally in the 180’s before we even get into the single track trail…
• Betty’s Blog – After a full day of activities the day before, Ray and I with Jeremy were up early this morning at 6am to get ready to head out to the start of the race at Grouse Mountain for Iron Knee 25K…

If you know of any more please let us know!