Once again a brave group of adventurers strapped up their hydration packs, took one, possibly, final look at their vehicles and punched the start of their chrono's and headed into the deep dark woods of the west coast rainforest.
The start was delayed by about 30 minutes as Jeff, our play leader, made arrangements as to who was doing what with which cars at which end!
The weather was cool but clear, so we were looking forward to some breathtaking views and climbs.
We ran South to North as is usually the case,as that end is nearer to Victoria. The first half was dry with the occasional mud hollows. Many of the runners were able to keep their shoes dry until after Bear Beach.
That beach brought home, to many of the first timers, just how physically demanding the day was going to be.
I ran sweep for most of the run, keeping my ever changing "flock" vaguely amused and basically moving in the right direction, as fast as our corporate selves would allow.
I ran a great deal of time with my overnight camping guest , Kirsten.
She had nothing but praise for "The Fools", her training buddies, we were trying ot project good vibes to them in Leadville.
Kirsten was coming off a two week recovery from her 100Mi. @ Stormy.
She did great, as did Carolyn, the new woman's course record holder now set at 7:05:xx.
The mens record was smashed once again by Shawn Nelson of Victoria, that now stands at 5:28:xx. beating his own previous CR!
Next year we are going to set up an aide station at Sombrio beach so that we don't have to carry quite so much stuff.
Thanks to all the Vancouverites for coming over and see you all next year.
ILTS!
2009 47k JdF Epic Trail Run - Official Results
1. Shawn Nelson 5:28 CR
2. Sean Chester 5:43
3. Shane Ruljancich 5:51
4. Jeff Hunt 6:01
5. Carolyn Goluza 6:50 CR
6. Matt Patriquin 7:10
7. Bob Wall 7:35
7. Jeremy Watts 7:35
7. Gary Duncan 7:35
10. Shem Sharifi 7:40
11. Julie van Veelan 8:42
11. Sonja Yli-Kahila 8:42
13. Kirsten Ramage 9:08
14. The Jackal 9:12
15. Annie Miller 9:13
16. Simon Pearson 9:45
Comments
JDFT epic
Carlos,
Tremendous thanks to you and Jeff for planning/hosting a great event and for helping me to work out travel arrangements at the 11th hour when I decided I couldn't pass up running the JDFT epic this year (thanks also to Carolyn and Shem!).
The run was so much more than I expected: it was the most technical trail I have run to date (yes, harder than the Vancouver 100!) and one that offered some truly beautiful views, both from the ridges and on the beaches. We were blessed with perfect weather: sun overhead, cool ocean breezes and just the right amount of mud. Despite the too many to count (thousands?!) long ascents and descents from creek beds, the run was really enjoyable. The company was great and it was nice to meet some of the Victoria runners. Congrats to the new record-holders!
I would highly recommend this run to anyone who wants a technical trail challenge and the opportunity to see the length of the JDFT without the inconvenience of hiking with a heavy pack.
I heard some talk of a West Coast Trail epic in the works - if so, count me in!
Kirsten
The results from Jeff (de Fuca)
It was a lendendary event this year, with 21 crazy trail runners ready to tackle one of the hardest trails out there.
Record turnout, and record times were posted in both the men's and women's categories. 4 men broke last year's record (6:15) which was set by Shawn Nelson.
Conditions were great. The trail was slightly less muddy than in past years, and CRD Parks had the trail in the best shape yet.
Some runners were competitive and went for time, others made it a social run, but the majority was just out there to finish the distance in one piece.
2009 47k JdF Epic Trail Run - Official Results
1. Shawn Nelson 5:28 CR
2. Sean Chester 5:43
3. Shane Ruljancich 5:51
4. Jeff Hunt 6:01
5. Carolyn Goluza 6:50 CR
6. Matt Patriquin 7:10
7. Bob Wall 7:35
7. Jeremy Watts 7:35
7. Gary Duncan 7:35
10. Shem Sharifi 7:40
11. Julie van Veelan 8:42
11. Sonja Yli-Kahila 8:42
13. Kirsten Ramage 9:08
14. The Jackal 9:12
15. Annie Miller 9:13
16. Simon Pearson 9:45
Sounds like a wonderful day
Can't wait to see some photos, Carlos. Glad you had a good day. So that is were Kirsten was ;-) We missed her in North Van.
JDFT stuff
PIH Runners of the week...
Bob Reid wrote:-
August 22
Carolyn Goluza, Shawn Nelson and Sean Chester
Shawn, 5:28, and Sean, 5:43, were the first two finishers of the 47 kilometre, rugged Juan de Fuca trail featuring many muddy and scrambly patches. Both shattered the previous course record of 6:15, in fact Shawn lowered his 2008 record by an outstanding 47 minutes. Rounding out the top four finishers, also faster than last year's record, were Shane Ruljancich, 5:51, and group organizer, Jeff Hunt in 6:01. Carolyn Goluza lowered her own 8:30 women's course record by an amazing 1:40 with a fine time of 6 hours, 50 minutes. Matt Patriquin, 7:10, Bob Wall, 7:35, Jeremy Watts, 7:35, and Gary Duncan, 7:35, followed with strong performances. Hats off the Sonja Yli-Kahila and Julie Van Veelen who ran together for the entire 47K and completed the longest training run of their lives in a very respectable 8:42. There were 21 runners from Victoria, Vancouver and Campbell River and 16 completed the entire 47 kilometres from China Beach to Botanical Beach while 3 others opted for the shorter 27K run to Sombrio Beach and 2 runners ran 18K from China Beach to Bear Beach and back.