The first inaugural “Run to the Clouds
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Pete Stace-Smith - Your Club Fat Ass Event Host
3 March 2012
Report. Once again the weather gods were watching out for us, I had woken up more than a few times during the night to pelting down rain but by the time 10:00 am rolled around it had stopped, and other than a short sprinkle mid event, the fun stayed relatively dry. The course was by-in-large in great shape… a couple of mucky sections on the west side of Lesser Buntzen Lake loop and 4 or 5" of sloppy snow/muck on the upper part of the course for the keeners that did the full 25 km pull.
Survey. We'd love to hear from you. Please add you comments below, write a blog post about your run and/or fill out this brief survey to let us know how we did.
Results.
First Name | Last Name | City | Event | Time | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
mark | rowat | New Westminster | 25km | 2:47 | 2 |
Justin | Wiens | 25km | 2:47 | *** membership status? | |
Angela | Spooner | Port Coquitlam | 25km | 3:13 | 2 |
Mark | MacRae | Coquitlam | 25km | 3:13 | 2 |
Dan | Daoust | Coquitlam | 25km | 3:13 | 2 |
Robert | Jones | North Vancouver | 25km | 3:13 | 2 |
Rhonda | Gallant | Port Moody | 25km | 3:13 | 2 |
Corinne | Pitre-Hayes | Vancouver | 25km | 4:02 | 2 |
Keith | Nichol | Vancouver | 25km | 4:02 | 2+1* |
Pete | Stace Smith | Port Coquitlam | 2+2** | ||
Herb | Yang | 13.5km | 2:01 | 1 | |
Lori | Clerkson | 13.5km | 2:01 | 1 | |
Tammy | Black | 13.5km | 2:01 | 1 | |
Pete | van Gaalen | Coquitlam | 10.5km | 1:19 | 2 |
Tanis | Speers | Rimbey | DNS | -1 | |
Simone | Lylack | Maple Ridge | DNS | -1 | |
Eric | Rannaud | Burnaby | DNS | -1 |
* Garbage Points
** Event Host Points
Membership status needs to be updated at www.clubfatass.com/join
6 March 2011
Report. Run to the Clouds, 6th year is now behind us. Once again, someone from up above was looking down on us for great weather. The day was stellar. It was still "brisk" out in the Buntzen Valley, but then this place is known for how cool it is, even in the middle of the summer when it is hot everywhere else in the Lower Mainland. Still it wasn't raining!! WhooooHooooo.
And the runners showed up! There was 21 that came to run the challenging 25 km course, and 6 others doing shorter versions. Note, once started, even the shortest lake loop this year was 13 kms.
Everyone got off OK pretty quick after 10:00 start, hoping onto the Energy Trail, then onto the Lake Detour Trail that took the runners all the way out to the park entrance before turning them North along the West side of Buntzen. After the first gravel road section, jumping into the woods and onto the detour route up "Lake View Trail" was the first order. This is the trail that is roughly half way up the ridge between the normal route (Lake Side Trail) and Diez Vista Trail along the top, although the runners today sure thought in a few spots they were pretty near the top of the ridge. Lake View does a lot of ups and downs and is certainly more challenging than the "normal RTTC route". However, as Sybylle pointed out, what it DOESN'T do is give you some nice Lake Views as the name promises? Sorry guys, I didn't name it, just borrowing the trail today.
Once that nasty leg was completed the runners cruised across the North end suspension bridge to an awaiting Aid Station that had whatever you had been dreaming about while running along...
Next up was the North loop around lesser Buntzen, easy task for those having run this event before, a few left curves for newbies... back across the suspension bridge now completing 2/3rds of the figure 8 around these lakes. One last chance to grab a handful of Gummy Worms, Gatorade, chips, a gel or whatever you craved (all brought in under pedal power I might add), before heading back down the East side trail, back towards home.
Oh, but the fun doesn't stop there. For the keen 25'ers, sadly you get to run right by the finish line, jump onto the Halvor Lynden trail, then climb up the steep and unrelenting Academy Trail, till you pop out on the power line at close to 1000'. A short scamper back down the power line took the runners up to an amazing view point/drop off. Luckily nothing went wrong up top there (if we don't count Lori's pup Newman, brazenly interupting some couple having a picnic up top, and walking off with a sandwhich)... haha, way to go Newman. Keep those human's on their toes pal.
From the look out (which overlooks not only Buntzen lake, but Mt Seymour, Vancouver, and views all the way out to the Gulf Islands etc), the runners dropped into Eagle Trail and got to drop elevation for the next 30 min or so, back down Eagle, and Academy. Finally, they could head for home...
From the end of Academy, they retraced their morning route, back through the overflow parking lot, zig-zagging all the way back to the Gazebo to tag out... Although the route was "thrown together" with options left open from BC Hydro's closures, pretty much everyone coming in had + or - less than .3 of a km of 25 ----- but it was pretty unanimous that this route was tougher. (note: some liked that fact others didn't)... :)
Speedy devil Matt Sessions took an early lead and stayed out front the entire run, rolling in at 2:36:30. The trio of Ran Katzman, Dario Herrera, and Mike Palichuk, that ran together the entire time just behind Matt rolled in less than 9 minutes behind him for a smoking fast 2:45 time. Following these rippers was James Clarke and his pup, just sqeeking in under 3 hours.
On the women's side, Angela Cullen Spooner cruised in looking like she could do it all again at 3:49, quickly followed by a big group that included female runners Sara Liljefors, Tammy Blackwell, Lori Clerkson, Carie Moran, all hot on her tail at 3:50. Well done girls !
Special shout out to Don Murray who hopped on a plane in Calgary to come down and run today, not wanting to mess up his 6 25 km finishes for 6 events record. Way to go Don, great to see you too.
A did-not-show at the start and missed was our fearless CFA leader Action Jackson, but he sent his best delegate (and the person that probably runs CFA anyway) Sibylle Tinsel. Great to see you out enjoying yet the tri cities once again. ! I think Ean took out a couple of others from North Van when he went AWOL, so officially I think he owes me a beer. (long standing bet of me bringing more Tri Cities runners to his New Years Day event than he does North Van Runners to my Tri Cities Event. Haha... Maybe next year pal.
The Golden Spike was a little quieter than usual, many people choosing to go enjoy the day rather than rehydrate with some fermented beverages... it's all good. Missed you, again, maybe next year OK.
So, till then, glad you all had a good time. Thanks for coming out and playing in my back yard.
Cheers, Pete Stace-Smith Event Host Run To The Clouds.
Ps. I'll get the finish time excel spreadsheet finished up ASAP here and off to Sibylle for posting. And try to get some pics loaded up as well....
Photos will be posted on the slideshow below. If you like to add yours please add them to your Flickr account, then to the Club Fat Ass Flickr group. Make sure you tag all photos of today with ClubFatAss RunToTheClouds2011 RunToTheClouds ClubFatAssEvents ClubFatAssEvents2011. If you are not interested in Flickr, please send your photos to Sibylle or Pete and we'll post them.
Survey. We'd love to hear from you. Please add you comments below, write a blog post about your run and/or fill out this brief survey to let us know how we did.
Results.
First Name | Last Name | Event | Finish Time | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|
Matt | Sessions | 25km | 02:36:30 | 1 |
Dario | Herrerra | 25 km | 02:45 | 2 + 1 |
Ran | Katzman | 25 km | 02:45 | 2 |
Mike | Palichuk | 25km | 02:45 | 2 + 1 |
James | Clarke | 25 km | 02:59 | 2 |
David | Papineau | 25 km | 03:12 | 2 |
Tim | Wiens | 25 km | 03:12 | 2 + 1 |
Bill | Dagg | 25 km | 03:17 | 2 + 1 |
Angela | Cullen Spooner | 25 km | 03:49 | 2 + 1 |
Dan | Daoust | 25 km | 03:49 | 2 |
Sarah | Liljefors | 25 km | 03:49 | 2 |
Pete | van Gaalen | 25 km | 03:49 | 2 + 1 |
Tammy | Blackwell | 25 km | 03:50 | 2 |
Lori | Clerkson | 25 km | 03:50 | 2 |
Carie | Moran | 25 km | 03:50 | 2 |
Don | Murray | 25 km | 03:50 | 2 |
Craig | Slagel | 25 km | 03:50 | 2 |
Gord | Lord | 25 km | 03:53 | 2 |
Steven | Lowe | 25 km | 03:53 | 2 |
Eric | Rannaud | 25 km | 04:08 | 2 |
Graham | Perkins | 25km | ? | 1 |
Reagan | White | 15 km | 02:29 | 2 + 1 |
Liza | Flemming | 12 km | 02:01 | 2 + 1 |
Kelly | Corday | 12km | 02:17 | 2 + 1 |
Jess | Dagg | 12 km | 02:17 | 2 + 1 |
Jackie | Montgomery | 12 km | 02:17 | 2 + 1 |
Sibylle | Tinsel | 12km | 02:36 | 2 +1 |
David | Papineau | 27km | 3:12 | Saturday Start- lots of no-points-gained garbage collected |
Tim | Wiens | 27km | 3:12 | Saturday Start |
Heather with Dave and Ian | Vestergaard | 15km Saturday 38km Sunday |
1:55 hrs 4:05 hrs |
Saturday Start and another Sunday run in the area |
27 March 2010
Report. Hey Club Fat Assers, wow, what a great day.
NO RAIN and 33 runners came out and ran over 700 kms of trails today.
22 of our runners ran the full 25 km route or more (remember no penalty for running more than the course requires)... and enjoyed the beautiful lake and mountain views.
There was a couple of few Club Fat Ass members out on their first runs with the club -- congratulations you guys, and hopefully the butt kicker route didn't turn you off coming back out for some other CFA runs And a new age record broken with Ronald rolling in a full 25 km run in the 70+ age group in under 4 hours. The course record was broken again today with 2 fast guys (Chris and Matt) in a smoking fast 2:06... Props to Lysanne for a 2:42 fastest female time in, OH YEAH and the CFA pig even went for it's first "cool down swim" after a pretty easy 8 kms.
Did I mention no rain! That was sure nice. Oh yeah, how about a shout-out to our 4 first aiders that rolled around the course on their mountain bikes -- that's why we had no big owees! And another big thanks sent out to Chris L who moto'd up to the 1450' high aid station with about 16 liters of fluid and lots of fun treats to reward the runners that made the huge effort to drag the fat asses all the way up there.
Thanks to my bride Diane who helped out with buying all the goodies you enjoyed, helping with registration etc. As usual, I owe her....
Hmm, what else... Oh yeah, we thought Ean and Rob were lost but no ---- they were just off exploring. After hearing about an old ghost town off the north end of the course up in Indian Arm, these 2 guys decided to "take a small detour" off course and go check it out. See Ean's pictures and video's..... rad. Maybe next year that detour and extra mileage may have to become part of the course.
Many of the runners re-grouped at the Golden Spike Pub in Port Moody for post run festivities. Prizes courtesy of Trail Runner Magazine, North Face, Brooks, Debbie Does Fitness, Kintec Footlabs and Norco Bikes were drawn and shared around. Thanks to these guys too.
Hope you all enjoyed the run, see you next year.
Cheers everyone !!!
Pete SS (event host, Run to the Clouds).
Photos are posted on the slideshow below. If you like to add yours please add them to your Flickr account, then to the Club Fat Ass Flickr group. Make sure you tag all photos of today with ClubFatAss RunToTheClouds2010 RunToTheClouds ClubFatAssEvents ClubFatAssEvents2010. If you are not interested in Flickr, please send your photos to Sibylle or Pete and we'll post them.
Survey. We'd love to hear from you. Please add you comments below, write a blog post about your run and/or fill out this brief survey to let us know how we did.
Results.
Runners Name | Distance Completed | Finish Time | Place | Extra notes |
Chris Tomkinson | 25 km | 2:06 | Tied 1st Men | |
Matt Sessions | 25 km | 2:06 | Tied 1st Men | |
James Clarke | 25 km | 2:42 | 3rd place Men | 1st male coming in the correct way |
Lysanne Lavigne | 25 km | 2:42 | 1st place Women | |
Desmond Mott | 25 km | 2:49 | 4th place Men | |
Wayne Guest | 25 km | 2:51 | 5th place Men | |
Mark MacRae | 25 km | 3:03 | M | |
Susan MacRae | 25 km | 3:03 | 2nd place Women | 1st female coming in the correct way |
Katie Longworth | 25 km | 3:08 | 3rd place Women | Plus 1 point for garbage pick-up |
Baldwin Lee | 25 km | 3:06 | M | plus 1 point for garbage pick-up |
Jess Dagg | 25 km | 3:15 | F | Plus 1 point for garbage pick-up |
Michelle Allen | 25 km | 3:15 | M | |
Debbie Suzuki | 25 km | 3:17 | F | |
Jordan Stace-Smith | 25 km | 3:17 | M | |
Peter van Gaalen | 25 km | 3:17 | M | |
Carie Moran | 25 km | 3:29 | F | |
Don Murray | 25 km | 3:29 | M | |
Gord Lord | 25 km | 3:29 | M | |
Lori Clerkson | 25 km | 3:29 | F | |
Steven Lowe | 25 km | 3:29 | M | |
Tammy Blackwell | 25 km | 3:29 | F | |
Ronald Ness | 26 km | 3:55 | M | First place in the 70 + age group |
Ean Jackson | 16 km | 1:59 | M | |
Rob Ruft | 16 km | 2:05 | M | |
Rachel Tanya Fouladi | 13.7 km | 1:56 | F | |
Janet Bremmer | 13 km | 1:30 | F | |
Dan Daoust | 13 km | 1:38 | M | |
Ron Mayne | 13 km | 1:45 | M | |
Heather Urquhart | 13 km | 1:54 | F | |
Liza Flemming | 13 km | 1:54 | F | |
Peggy Brown | 13 km | 1:57 | F | |
Reagan White | 13 km | 1:58 | M | Plus 1 point for garbage pick-up |
Katherine Webb | 13 km | 2:06 | F | |
The golden pig | 9 km | 1:58 | Hmm, not sure ?? | Even went for a swim following the run |
Pete Stace-Smith | Plus 2 points for Event Hosting | |||
Diane Stace-Smith | Plus 1 bonus point for crewing | |||
The moto and first aid crew |
Photos are posted on the CFA Flickr page. If you like to add yours please add them to your Flickr account, then to the Club Fat Ass Flickr group. Make sure you tag all photos of today with ClubFatAss, RunToTheClouds2009 and RunToTheClouds. If you are not interested in Flickr, please send your photos to Sibylle or Pete and we'll post them.
Survey. We'd love to hear from you. Please add you comments below, write a blog post about your run and/or fill out this brief survey to let us know how we did.
Report. Thanks goes to the 56 runners that came out in somewhat miserable conditions yesterday for a run in the woods.
Great to see such a turn-out. This is the 4th year that Run to the Clouds has been on, and the numbers keep on growing. Once again I was asked yesterday if there will be a 2010 version, and I'd say if there is this type of interest, the run must go on.
Special thanks to Diane Stace-Smith (my wife) and our friend Ruby Ferguson who came out and help set up the aid station at the North end of the lake - getting all those health food chips, cookies and gummy worms ready for runners wanting a short break. Also thanks to Peter vanGaalen (another CFA runner) who took a few hours off on Friday to come lug water and Gatoraid up the mountain to the high point turn-around so that runners would have a stash to draw on if needed up top. Made my day when someone used the fluids and enjoyed them up there way out in the middle of nowhere.
Great job goes out to all runners that braved the upper 1/2 of the course too, with it raining hard down low and freezing level just above the lake, it was snowing flat out on the upper parts of the course. From what was only a few hundred meters of snow on Friday turned out to be a couple of Km slog. Way to go!! You are all tough Fat Assers!
Oh yeah, and speaking of tough... extra props out to Carie, Lori and Sarah for running the full 25 km, then promply turning for the lake and walking right in. I was told later they were in there for a full 10 minutes! Man, I left after about 1 min as I was cold just watching them. Way to go girls.
Anyway, thanks to all that came out to run, thanks to Ean for talking a lot of runners into signing up from North Van and showing up -- hopefully he got you there once, but you will come back again because of the run -- see you all next year.
Cheers Pete SS (event host, Run to the Clouds).
Results
Name | Finish Time | Distance | Points | Extra notes |
Matt Sessions | 2:26 | 25 km | 2 | Tied for first place male |
Tim Wiens | 2:26 | 25 km | 2 | Tied for first place male |
Daryl Spencer | 2:27 | 25 km | 2 | Award for traveling the farthest (Kelowna) |
Chris Benn | 2:29 | 25 km | 2 | |
Bill Dagg | 2:48 | 25 km | 2 + 1 | gabage pick-up |
Desmond Mott | 2:53 | 25 km | 2 + 1 | garbage pick-up |
Katie Longworth | 2:57 | 25 km | 2 | Tied for first place female -- |
Maureen Forrestal | 2:57 | 25 km | 1 | Tied for first place female -- |
Baldwin Lee | 3:07 | 25 km | 2 + 1 | Garbage picked up. |
Hellen Tilley | 3:22 | 25 km | 2 | |
Jessica Glowacki | 3:22 | 25 km | 2 | |
Reg Blyth | 3:22 | 25 km | 1 | |
Stephen Blyth | 3:22 | 25 km | 1 | Note: Hard to award points when I don't know your last name? Need last name |
Kirsten Ramage | 3:26 | 25 km | 2 | |
Lori Clerkson | 3:26 | 25 km | 2 | went for a dip in the lake |
Carie Moran | 3:26 | 25 km | 2 | went for a dip in the lake |
Don Murray | 3:26 | 25 km | 2 | |
Sal Bugliarisi | 3:26 | 25 km | 2 | |
Sarah Weinkam | 3:26 | 25 km | 2 | went for a dip in the lake |
Claudia Bullington | 3:26 | 25 km | 2 | |
Gilles Barbeau | 3:26 | 25 km | 1 | |
Martin Janzen | 3:29 | 25 km | 2 | |
Robin Furby | 3:39 | 25 km | 1 | |
Michelle Allen | 3:49 | 25 km | 2 + 1 | Garbage picked up. |
Laddie Hannam | 3:50 | 25 ++ km | 2 +1 + 1 garbage and referal point | |
Steven Lowe | 3:25 | 25.5 km | 2 | No penalty points for running too far |
Jess Bassil |
3:49 | 25.5 km | 2 | |
Michael Syrjala | 3:15 | 13 km | 2 | Good effort… these guys did the upper 13 km loop on the course, much of it in fresh snow |
Eileen Bistrisky | 3:15 | 13 km | 2 | Good effort… these guys did the upper 13 km loop on the course, much of it in fresh snow |
Lannie Thielen | 1:28 | 13.5 km | 1 | membership needs to be updated |
Sibylle Tinsel | 1:30 | 13.5 km | n/a | Custom course - way to go - garbage pick-up |
David Jenkins | 1:34 | 13.5 km | 2 | |
Erin Creak | 1:34 | 13.5 km | 2 | |
Susan Macrae | 1:36 | 13.5 km | 2 + 1 | Extra point for helping an injured runner back to start finish, then going back out to run again. |
Mark MacRae | 1:41 | 13.5 km | 2 | |
Rhonda Gallant | 1:41 | 13.5 km | 2 | |
Dan Doust | 1:41 | 13.5 km | 2 | |
Emma Morgan | 1:41 | 13.5 km | 2 | |
Todd Ulriksen | 1:43 | 13.5 km | 2 | |
Heather Summerville | 1:43 | 13.5 km | 1 | |
Gord Lord | 1:45 | 13.5 km | 2 | |
Gord Thompson | 1:46 | 13.5 km | 2 | |
Ean Jackson | 1:51 | 13.5 km | 2 + 1 | |
Jennifer Hiebert | 1:51 | 13.5 km | 1 | |
Anglela Spooner | 1:56 | 13.5 km | 2 + 1 | Extra point for helping an injured runner back to start finish, then going back out to run again. |
Rob Jones | 1:08 | 10.5 km | 2 | |
Lori Moody | ??? | 10.5 km | 2 | |
Craig Moore | 4h | 25km | n/a | custom |
Reg Hornsby | 3:18 | 21.5 km | 1 | |
Peter Stace-Smith | 0:30 | 3 km | 2 + 1 | Event host, thanks to Ean for running the upper lake loop with me :) |
Peter van Gaalen | 2:00 | 15.0 km | 2 | Trail kudo's for looping back on the route and running with the 2 runners who had helped Debbie back |
Debbie Suzuki | 0:20 | 1 | 2 | Our only injury for the day. Debbie roller he ankle badly just past the parking lot |
Dave Berg | DNS | 0 | -1 | |
Michael Wardas | DNS | 0 | -1 | |
Krys Pick | DNS | 0 | -1 |
12 April 2008 - Starter Photo
32 Starters - 32 Finishers
Photos are posted on the CFA Flickr page. If you like to add yours please add them to your Flickr account, then to the Club Fat Ass Flickr group. Make sure you tag all photos of today with ClubFatAss, RunToTheClouds2008 and RunToTheClouds. If you are not interested in Flickr, please send your photos to Sibylle or Pete and we'll post them.
Run to the Clouds event review
WHAT A GREAT DAY. Blue sky and warm temperatures blessed us at the end of yet another week or two of rain. 31 runners showed up to tackle the tough course and pretty much every single one of them had a big smile on their face at the end too. It was hard not to enjoy a run in the woods when the day was just so great. Thanks to all the runners who came out to play in the woods yesterday. Great to see you there and frankly as an event host, seeing you all having a great time makes it all worth while. With 18 runners completing the full 25 kms and another 13 doing one of the shorter options you all deserve great pats on the back, as this course is not an easy one. Well done!
Brief history here: As I look outside my window the morning after the event and at the rain falling once again, I smile and realize someone up there seems to want me to continue to put this event on. A loooong time back I talked to the good folks at CFA and suggested it would be cool to do a run out in the Tri-Cities area around Eagle Ridge and Buntzen Lake area. Of course they instantly tossed it back in my court but helped me organize my first event. Run to the Clouds was born in 2006. They also asked me for a minimum 3 year commitment on running the event. Since that time we have had 3 course changes (I’d like to think it is getting better) and hopefully I have got a bit smarter on how to do this all… but the fun is still there. Runners are still coming out to support it and it makes my day to see both local and runners from other parts of Vancouver coming out to see and enjoy some of the beautiful trails that we have out here.
I guess we will have to see about a CFA Run to the Clouds…
Of course, none of this would be possible without the help of others. I’d like to send out some well deserved thanks for helping Run to the Clouds event even exist. These people made the event possible and better:
#'s | Runners Name | Distance Completed | Official Finish time | CFA Points Awarded | Notes: |
1 | Bill Dagg | 25 km | 2:38:30 1st Male | 2 | |
2 | Ran Katzman | 25 Km | 2:39 | 2 | |
3 | Allison Mackay | 25 Km | 2:41 1st female | 2 | |
4 | Desmond Mott | 25 Km | 2:41:30 | 3 | Plus 1 point for on-course garbage pick-up |
5 | Mark MacRae | 25 Km | 3:02 | 3 | Plus 1 point for talking a fellow co-worker into joining CFA and coming out for 25 Km in the elevator the day before |
6 | Geoffrey Palmer | 25 Km | 3:02:05 | 2 | |
7 | Peter Van Gallen | 25 Km | 3:04 | 2 | |
8 | Rhonda Gallant | 25 Km | 3:08 | 2 | |
9 | Angela Spooner | 25 Km | 3:08 | 3 | Plus 1 point for helping support the event with some very nice and appreciated draw prizes. Thanks. |
10 | Dan Daoust | 25 Km | 3:08 | 2 | |
11 | Donna Smood | 25 Km | 3:08 | 3 | Plus 1 point for being talked into joining CFA in an elevator the day before and coming out and running 25 Km with us :) |
12 | Amy MacArthur | 25 Km | 3:14 | 2 | |
13 | Carie Moran | 25 Km | 3:42 | 2 | |
14 | Lisa Kirkland | 25 Km | 3:42 | 2 | |
15 | Lori Clerkson | 25 Km | 3:42 | 2 | |
16 | Steven Lowe | 25 Km | 3:42 | 2 | |
17 | Gord Lord | 25 Km | 3:42 | 2 | |
18 | Gord Thompson | 24.5 Km | 3:18 | 2 | Went for the 25 but got mixed up in final Km |
19 | Janis Vallis | 15 Km | 1:59 | 2 | |
20 | Wendy Wong | 15 Km | 2:03 | 2 | |
21 | Lucy McNeill | 15 Km | 2:03 | 2 | |
22 | Andrew Laing | 15 km | 2:05 | 2 | |
23 | Jennifer Hiebert | 15 km | 2:10 | 2 | |
24 | Christopher Atkins | 12 Km | 1:25 | 2 | |
25 | Ruby Fergusen | 12 Km | 1:31 | 2 | |
26 | Don Murray | 12 Km | 1:31 | 2 | |
27 | Todd Ulriksen | 12 Km | 1:31 | 2 | |
28 | Beth Van Gaalen | 12 Km | 1:59 | 2 | |
29 | Debbie Clark | 10 Km | 1:15 | 2 | |
30 | Sibylle Tinsel | custom (less than Debbie) | 1:18 | 3 | Extra point awarded for holding event host's hand through many left curves and still coming out to run and support the event. |
31 | Claudia Bullington | 12 Km | 1:40 | 2 |
Photos are posted on the CFA Flickr page. If you like to add yours please add them to your Flickr account, then to the Club Fat Ass Flickr group. Make sure you tag all photos of today with ClubFatAss, RunToTheClouds2007 and RunToTheClouds. If you are not interested in Flickr, please send your photos to Sibylle or Pete and we'll post them.
Post Event Survey - please click here to participate.
Run to the Clouds event review
Well sports-fans, the 2nd annual Run to the Clouds event is now behind us. 28 keen CFA runners started the event yesterday and 14 of them finished the full 25 km challenging course. Some even did more! Whether you did the full course or one of the shorter options, give yourself a big pat on the back, you all did awesome!!!
Sending out thanks:
I’d like to once again thank the following people that made this event possible and better:
Highlights and other fun stuff:
As you can imagine, a lot goes on during an event and there is certain things that come to mind afterwards that are always good to share with others. Here is just some of the good, the bad and the ugly:
Summary:
So, as event host, this is always fun to put on this event. It is my small way of “putting back” to the running community. I believe we will stick with the same route next year as most runners liked the route. (OK, maybe I’ll try to be a bit clearer on some of the directions). Talking to Sibylle, we may move it a little earlier or back into April again for 2008 so we don’t run into conflicts with some other runs later on like what happened this year. So, one final request… if you liked the event please tell your running friends and help me spread the word to get more runners out for 2008. If each of you brought 1 or 2 running friends it could be that much MORE fun.!! If you didn’t like something about the event or would like something changed or improved I would simply ask you to fire me back some feedback. I’ll put all your suggestions and notes into the file and will make next years event all that much better. Click here to send Pete feedback. You will also receive a post event survey and I would appreciate your time to fill this out.
Thanks again for coming out, see you all next year!!
Pete SS
Runners Name | Distance Completed | Official Finish Time | CFA Points Awarded | Additional Notes |
Rob Ruff | 25 km | 2:48 | 2 | First male, full course finisher in |
Peter Van Gallen | 25 km | 3:17 | 2 | |
Mark McCrae | 25 km | 3:17 | 2 | |
Mark Yee Fung | 25 km | 3:17 | 1 | Late entry |
Amy MacArthur | 25 km | 3:18 | 1 | First female, full course finisher in |
Elke Bauer | 27.5 km | 3:20 | 2 | Note: No penatly points for going too far… |
Stephen Lowe | 25 km | 3:30 | 2 | |
Kim Taylor | 25km | ? | 2 | |
Angela Spooner | 25 km | 3:35 | 2 | |
Rhonda Gallant | 25 km | 3:35 | 2 | |
Heather Summerville | 25 km | 3:35 | 2 | |
Sonja Madsen | 25 km | 3:35 | 2 | |
Don Murray | 26.5 km | 3:34 | 2 | Note: No penatly points for going too far… |
Gord Lord | 26.5 km | 3:34 | 2 | Note: No penatly points for going too far… |
Baldwin Lee | 27 km | 3:44 | 2 | |
Matt Sessions | 22.5 km | 2:08 | 2 | First one in, but missed a section on course |
Peggy Brown | 21 km | 3:32 | 2 | |
Sara Weinkam | 21 km | 3:32 | 2 | |
Kandice Leaf | 21 km | 3:32 | 2 | |
Pat Matthieu | 17.5 km | 2:26 | 2 | |
Elizabeth McQuaid | 13.6 km | 2:22 | 3 | Additional point for helping someone lost |
Sibylle Tinsel | 13.6 km | 2:22 | 3 | Additional point for helping someone lost |
Kelly Vermette | 13.6 km | 2:22 | 3 | Additional point for helping someone lost |
Chris Tomkinson | 12.5 km | 1:11 | 2 | |
Dan Doust | 9.5 km | 1:10 | 2 | |
Stephen Lamothe | 9.5 km | 2:04 | 2 | Mixed run and carry |
Karine Lavoie | 9.5 km | 2:04 | 2 | Mixed run and carry |
Takoda (4 years old) | 9.5 km | 2:04 | 1 | Mixed run and being carried |
Carie Moran | n/a | n/a | 1 | Helped with sign-in and aid stations etc |
Carolyn Goluza | n/a | n/a | -1 | Registered but did not show up |
Joseph Chung | n/a | n/a | -1 | Registered but did not show up |
22 April 2006 - 23 starters, 23 finishers
Run day dawned bright and sunny, much needed. Runners seemed to find the rec centre OK and after the usual quick chat rolled out at 10:02 am. Almost immediately a strong front group of 3 opened a gap when they made a light and the rest didn’t. Floating around on course I re-met the runners at the top of the first climb. Within 3 km they had already climbed more than 300 meters or close to a 1000’. There was a few good slam comments tossed my way
but in good CFA spirit, they all continued up the climb even higher. Their efforts were rewarded with fantastic views (as promised) along the top of Eagle Ridge and at the aid station ridge lookout.
The next section of trail down Eagle and Academy seemed to be the highlight for most, and offered a bit of a break from the climbing. Strong Road trail network was the hardest to navigate, but luckily there was a few runners intermixed that knew the way and the great part about this area is, if you get totally screwed up, head downhill on any of the many options and it will get you back on course pretty quick. Lori, one of our runners joked that through this section she used the “eenie meenie, I don’t know�? process to pick her route.
The final homeward stretch rhythm along the inlet was broken only by a nice aid station at the 16 km mark with lots of healthy and unhealthy (but enjoyable) treats. Thanks to Diane and Baldwin for manning this oasis.
The first strong runners came in together all in a smoking fast time of 2:07:26 with a short break to 3 others pretty quick behind. First female finisher rolled in with a 2:38:30 proving all the hill training and trail running she has been doing is turning her into a superwoman. Special additional mentions need to go out to Angela Spooner, Heather Summerville and Sharon Bryson who had just returned from racing the Boston Marathon just 5 short days ago. All three of these inspirational runners showed me they can mix in some CFA fun with some serious marathon racing and still enjoy both. Great job girls!
Shout outs also go to Lorraine Suomi who decided this new run would be “fun�? to do as her first run longer than 10 km in maybe a half a dozen years or more. She finished looking strong and still had a smile on her face so we may see her out for more runs in the future. CFA spirit thanks also goes out to Dan Daoust (local tri-cities runner) who sacrificed a much faster finish time to hang back and ensure a few out of town runners made it through the sometimes confusing trail route and didn’t get lost. And no Dan, although you thought you would be DFL, you weren’t.
Although we were 75 meters from the front door of a beautiful rec centre, most runners enjoyed laying out on the grass at the finish area and soaking in the sun. The only thing that dragged them away was the appealing thought of a cold fermented beverage and some food at the nearby pub. Rickers Red seemed the popular choice of runners, but I think it was consumed strictly for re-hydration purposes…
Because of the generous donations from North Shore Athletics, Norco Performance Bikes and Kinesis, every runner that came to the pup after party went away with some sort of draw prize. Thanks to these supporters for the icing on the cake of a fantastic day.
Also, in thanks mode, I have to send thanks out to the following keeners who made this run more enjoyable for all. First to Chris and Greg, the 2 volunteers who delivered the much enjoyed water, Gatorade, RedBull, fruit and treats in their backpacks on their off road motorcycles way up to a point on the run course that no regular 4 wheel vehicle could get to. Then to Ruby and Diane who helped out at the start line getting everyone checked in and accounted for. Ruby helped right through the day with logistics and Diane manned the oasis aid station on the homeward leg. After Baldwin figured out his couch wasn’t going to be delivered that morning, he was too late to run the event, but at least he came out and helped with an aid station. Way to go buddy, next time look at the date on the delivery notice... haha.
Special huge thanks goes out to Francisco and his crew from TrailSidePhysio who came out on their mountain bikes to support the runners in the event of injury. It was nice that we didn’t need their help, but sure good piece of mind that they were there. What goes around comes around, so if you need some runners specific physio, chiro, massage therapy or any injury relief, give these guys a call (604-432-6319).
And finally… from me as the event organizer… thanks to all you runners that came out to support a brand new event. Without you, the event wouldn’t have happened. I’ve been asked by CFA for a minimum 3 year commitment when putting on an event, so I’m looking forward to seeing you all next spring again for the second Run to the Clouds event. If each of you bring out a friend, we will go for 50 runners in '07 OK?? Look for some slight course changes next year that will add a bit more “singletrack trail�? up top instead of the gravel access road. I have some good ideas already... Also this may change it enough to get it up to a 25 km route… another request from many runners. Anyway THANKS for helping me make this new event fun and successful.
Pete SS
Click on the photo grid to see full-sized photos
This shows photos in a set called a xhref="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19621215@N00/sets/72057594115980471">2006 Run To The Clouds.
First Name | Last Name | City/ Town | Event | CFA Point Series | Time |
Geoffrey | Palmer | Coquitlam | 22km | 2 | 2:07:26 |
Matt | Sessions | Port Moody | 22km | 1 | 2:07:26 |
Mark | Lesack | Surrey | 22km | 1 | 2:07:26 |
Chris | Tomkinson | Coquitlam | 22km | 1 | 2:17:56 |
Peter | van Gaalen | Coquitlam | 22km | 2 | 2:19:08 |
David | Jenkins | Port Moody | 22km | 1 | 2:20 15 |
Darren | Sawchuk | Maple Ridge | 22km | 2 | 2:37:00 |
Elke | Bauer | Coquitlam | 22km | 2 | 2:38:30 |
Ean | Jackson | North Vancouver | 22km | 1 | 2:47:30 |
Doug | MacKay | North Vancouver | 22km | 2 | 2:48:06 |
John | Smalley | Vancouver | 22km | 2 | 2:52:20 |
Rhonda | Gallant | Port Moody | 22km | 2 | 3:11 |
Angela | Spooner | Coquitlam | 22km | 2 | 3:11:00 |
Heather | Somerville | Port Coquitlam | 22km | 1 | 3:11:00 |
Lori | Clerkson | Port Coquitlam | 22km | 2 | 3:12:30 |
Lisa | Kirkland | Port Coquitlam | 22km | 2 | 3:12:30 |
Lorraine | Suomi | North Vancouver | 22km | 2 | 3:13:00 |
Karl | Jensen | North Vancouver | 22km | 2 | 3:13:01 |
Sombrio (4 legger) | Deller | Vancouver | 22km | 3:13:18 | |
Chin Chin (4 legger) | Deller | Vancouver | 22km | 3:13:18 | |
Steve | Deller | Vanouver | 22km | 1 | 3:13:20 |
Sharon | Bryson | Richmond | 22km | 2 | 3:14:20 |
Dan | Daoust | Port Coquitlam | 22km | 2 | 3:14:30 |
Patricia | Barry | Vancouver | 22km | 2 | 3:23:56 |
Cynnimon | Rain | Port Coquitlam | 22km | 1 | 3:25:20 |
Bill | Russell | Surrey | 22km | -1 | DNS |
Baldwin | Lee | Burnaby | Crew | 1 | |
Ruby | Willis | Crew | 1 | ||
Diane | Stace-Smith | Crew | 1 | ||
Chris | Leupold | Crew | 1 | ||
Greg | Skerratt | crew | 1 |
The first inaugural “Run to the Clouds
2009 will mark the 4th year that Run To The Clouds has been on. It was added to the Club Fat Ass event schedule by Pete SS from the Coquitlam group of Fat Asses in an effort to
This event follows the guidelines provided by Club Fat Ass for safe and successful, informal endurance sports "parties":
Guests at the event download from the Internet directions based on natural and physical landmarks. As with orienteering, those who aren't familiar with the course will pause frequently to consult the written directions, giving a slight competitive advantage to those who have trained on it. Course directions are available year 'round on the course page of this website and we encourage everyone to enjoy the route as often as they please throughout the year.
Detailed questions and clarifications specific to this event are provided in the Run To The Clouds FAQ.
Best you print this and the course description off if you don't want to get lost! Go to the bottom of this page and click on "printer-friendly version" for best results
3 March 2012 |
|
07:00? | Drag yourself out of bed. Check the weather. Be sure to print off this agenda and the course description! |
09:30 | Arrive at Buntzen Lake Recreation area in sunny Port Moody BC. Please plan to be there at least 1/2 an hour early or more so you have time to park and come check in with us. Note: Parking is free at the main area, but does fill up on sunny nice mornings. To find the registration table please walk towards the main beach area from any of the 3 parking lots and head to your left. There will be a big wood gazebo about 100 meters back from the water. We will be meeting there. Note: there are also washrooms nearby the start area. Come on over and say Hi to all your fellow Club Fat Ass runners. Be ready to go by 9:50 am. |
09:50 | Welcome and final briefing |
09:55 | Photo |
10:00 | Start |
12:30 ?? | First 25K finisher? |
14:00 ?? | Last 25K finisher |
14:00 on | Food, fermented bevies and CFA runners celebration at the Golden Spike Pub nearby in Port Moody |
Despite the detailed description and warnings (e.g. If in doubt, read the directions!!), people may get lost and end up running way more than the planned 25 kms if they don't carry and read the course description. Consider it a rite of passage.
This is an informal, environmentally-friendly event. Be sure to print this agenda and the course description and bring them with you to the run as there are no flags, marshalls or other directions. (I recommend you put them in a plastic baggie, as they will otherwise surely turn to mush.) Better yet, go out and do a fun pre-run on the course to get to know it... but still please bring the directions.
The start and finish is at Buntzen Lake
Coquitlam, BC, Canada. Click here for a map.
March 9th 2009 Update: New for this year, 3 course length options... for all you keeners of course there is the 25 km route complete with butt kicking climb up Eagle Ridge at the 15 km point (just when you are all warmed up). If you have friends or family wanting to join us but for a shorter length, there is 13.5 and 10.5 km length options too. Bring em all out!
Also the bridge at the South end of Buntzen Lake is now all fixed up and wonderful, so for those of you that have been doing RTTC's for a few years now, we are going back to the older route, so figure 8 of the lakes, then a climb up Eagle Ridge. I have updated all the route descriptions but it is pretty clear.
Please print out this course description (scroll down for a printer-friendly version) and bring it with you in a plastic baggie to the start.
|
25km Course |
Distance in KM's | |
1 | Start at Buntzen Lake BC Hydro beach park. Park in far left lot, walk towards the beach, stay left. Gazebo on left side as you aproach the water. Elevation 420 feet/128 meters. | 0.0 | |
2 | Start route from Gazebo. Head down paved road towards the lake and boat launching area. | ||
3 | Turn left onto Energy Trail just before the lake, near boat dock area. | 0.1 | |
4 | Turn right onto Buntzen Lake Trail (first right) follow sign to "Floating Bridge" | 0.6 | |
5 | Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail | 1.0 | |
6 | Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail, towards "Entrance Gate" | 1.1 | |
7 | Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail, towards "Entrance Gate" | 1.5 | |
8 | Cross new bridge at South end of Buntzen Lake | ||
9 | Turn right onto gravel access road when exiting bridge | 1.7 | |
10 | Past "Saddle Ridge Trail" sign, stay on gravel road. (stay right close to lake). | 3.0 | |
11 | Past "Buntzen Lake Trail, and Lake View Trail", again stay right on gravel road. Slight right curve down towards pump house. | 3.2 | |
12 | Reference Point (RP) #1. Turn left onto Buntzen Lake Trail. Note: There is 2 trail entrances here, take the right hand (closest to the lake). | 3.3 | |
13 | Stay right at trail junction of Old Buntzen Lake Trail, Lake View Trail and Buntzen Lake Trail. | 6.6 | |
14 | Stay right and cross suspension bridge. | 6.7 | |
15 | On event day aid station #1 will be located here. There is also outhouses located nearby. | 6.8 | |
16 | After crossing bridge you will pass a wooden structure with maps of Buntzen Lake, turn left out onto gravel road, past a hanging wire gate then left again onto gravel road | 6.8 | |
17 | Major creek crossing, small house on the right hand side. | 7.0 | |
18 | You will pass Halvor Linden trail/Swan Falls sign on your right. Note: Ignore spurs and signs off to the right (uphill side). Stay on gravel road with Lesser Buntzen Lake off to your left. | 7.2 | |
19 | Gravel road turns into paved road. | 7.8 | |
20 | Straight through yellow gate. | 7.9 | |
21 | Swing left and cross overtop of the pipeline. Sign on this bridge, Max 61,000 GVW. | 8.0 | |
22 | Proceed over one lane bridge. Note, there will be a small rock quarry on your right here. | 8.1 | |
23 | After passing over one lane bridge, go past a small rock quarry on your left. You will be looking for a wooden power pole that has the #3 mark on it. | 8.2 | |
24 | Reference Point (RP) #2. Note: This is the lowest you will get on the Run to the Clouds route today. Elevation aprox 330 feet/100 meters. Turn left immediately after the wood power pole, up what looks like a creek bed. This changes into a trail within 15 meters. | 8.3 | |
25 | After climbing up a nasty creekbed the trail swings left and starts downhill. At next junction turn right staying on Old Buntzen Lake Trail. Spur down to left goes down to a dead end viewpoint. | 8.4 | |
26 | Go straight through junction, staying on Old Buntzen Lake Trail . Note, there will be an older pumphouse down on your left hand side here. | 8.5 | |
27 | Turn left onto Lake View Trail. | 9.3 | |
28 | Stay left at this trail junction of Old Buntzen Lake Trail, Lake View Trail and Buntzen Lake Trail. Yes, you have been here before. Follow this trail down to the suspension bridge again. | 9.4 | |
29 | Cross suspension bridge again. On event day an aid station #2 will be located here. There is also outhouses located nearby. | 9.6 | |
30 | After crossing bridge go out to the gravel road again, but this time turn right on the road and head up hill. | 9.6 | |
31 | After climbing slight hill on gravel road, turn right onto Buntzen Lake Trail, just past fence on right. Note: This area overlooks the inflow pipes coming down from Coquitlam Lake. | 9.8 | |
32 | Cross Poplar Creek | 10.7 | |
33 | Trail junction, marked "Powerhouse Road", stay straight on Buntzen Lake Trail (do not turn up). | 11.1 | |
34 | Turn right, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail. Do not take Powerhouse Road exit. Trail starts down switchbacks. | 12.0 | |
35 | Stay left, do not take spur out to viewpoint (unless you want to go have a look). Continue down switchbacks and across creek-bridge at bottom. | 12.1 | |
36 | You will see "Dog Park" fenced area on your right. Continue straight up trail. | 13.1 | |
37 | Note: For people doing the short route, cut through the dog park here to the right and head back to the gazebo for check in. For those wanting more fun, continue straight ahead. | 13.3 | |
38 | Run to the Clouds main route, stay left, do not enter doggie park. Head up towards the gravel road | ||
39 | Trail joins Powerhouse Road, continue straight ahead towards the gate on this road. | 13.4 | |
40 | Turn left onto the Halvor Lunden Trail at signpost. This will be located just before the main gate on the Powerhouse Road. | 13.9 | |
41 | Cross bridge and take immediate right fork onto "bike route". | 14.7 | |
42 | Stay right at trail junction, along beside creek, do not turn uphill here. | 14.8 | |
43 | Stay on trail past equestrian overflow parking lot. Note: there is an outhouse on your left hand side at this point. | 15.0 | |
44 | Turn left onto Eagle Trail (note: this trail used to be known as Academy Trail). | 15.9 | |
45 | Past a sign post that says Eagle Trail. Trail will swing left and head uphill here. Enjoy :) | 16.1 | |
46 | Trail junction. Stay straight ahead on Eagle Trail and go over wood bridge. Left trail is marked Eagle Trail North. | 16.6 | |
47 | Past Eagle Trail sign. Continue left, slightly uphill. | 17.0 | |
48 | Exit Eagle Trail onto gravel road. Turn RIGHT for final climb to the highest point. "Run to the Clouds my friends" | 17.6 | |
49 | Note: At the top of this climb, the road will level out and there is a large powerline pole on your right. You WILL KNOW you are at the highest part as the road levels out and then starts downhill again. You can see straight out to Mt Baker from this point and you are the highest elevation you will get today. Elevation 1450 feet/441 meters. | 18.7 | |
50 | KEY POINT HERE… At this top point, do a U-Turn and head back downhill towards Buntzen Lake. Give props to the ones behind you still coming up hill to this point. | ||
51 | Go past the top of Eagle Trail exit, stay on the gravel road, stay right. Follow road towards Buntzen Lake lookout up ahead at the end of the road | 19.8 | |
52 | Follow road and enjoy the short steep climb to a cool lookout down at Buntzen Lake. You will be back down there in a few minutes… Do another U-Turn and head back downhill. Again, key trail entrance here. Pay attention! | 20.8 | |
53 | After heading down from the look-out STAY RIGHT past the first powerline tower and into a small trail through the bushes here onto Eagle Trail. | 20.9 | |
54 | Turn right at trail junction (there is a creek and bridge on your left) stay right, | 21.4 | |
55 | Past Eagle Trail sign again, at bottom of switchbacks. | 22.0 | |
56 | Turn right at the bottom of this trail (do NOT go towards park entrance again - if you get to the small stop sign again, you are going the wrong way). | 22.3 | |
57 | Stay straight on main trail. Do not turn right uphill | 23.0 | |
58 | Key turn… This time when you get back to the equestrian parking lot turn left and go through the parking lot. Note: Outhouse will be on your right if you need it | 23.3 | |
59 | Cross road (watch for traffic). Stay on main trail back towards main lake parking lots | 23.4 | |
60 | Past "Buntzen Lake" trail junction sign on your left. Stay straight on main trail | 23.6 | |
61 | Stay right on Buntzen Lake Trail heading back towards the lake. | 24.0 | |
62 | Stay left at fork in trail, Note: Where you just came from is signed "equestrian overflow parking lot". | 24.1 | |
63 | Turn left onto Energy Trail a the top of a steep short climb. | 24.2 | |
64 | Follow Energy Trail with the lake on your left - last leg around to finish area. | 24.4 | |
65 | Past boat dock on your left, head up to the right and towards the gazebo where you started this morning. | 24.9 | |
66 | Finish at Buntzen Lake Beach gazebo. Congratulations, you have just completed the “Run to the Clouds | 25.0 |
Please print out this course description (scroll down for a printer-friendly version) and bring it with you in a plastic baggie to the start.
|
Run to the Clouds new 15 km 2009 route |
Distance in KM's | |
1 | Start at Buntzen Lake BC Hydro beach park. Park in far left lot, walk towards the beach, stay left. Gazebo on left side as you aproach the water. Elevation 420 feet/128 meters. | 0.0 | |
2 | Start route from Gazebo. Head down paved road towards the lake and boat launching area. | ||
3 | Turn left onto Energy Trail just before the lake, near boat dock area. | 0.1 | |
4 | Turn right onto Buntzen Lake Trail (first right) follow sign to "Floating Bridge" | 0.6 | |
5 | Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail | 1.0 | |
6 | Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail, towards "Entrance Gate" | 1.1 | |
7 | Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail, towards "Entrance Gate" | 1.5 | |
8 | Cross new bridge at South end of Buntzen Lake | ||
9 | Turn right onto gravel access road when exiting bridge | 1.7 | |
10 | Past "Saddle Ridge Trail" sign, stay on gravel road. (stay right close to lake). | 3.0 | |
11 | Past "Buntzen Lake Trail, and Lake View Trail", again stay right on gravel road. Slight right curve down towards pump house. | 3.2 | |
12 | Reference Point (RP) #1. Turn left onto Buntzen Lake Trail. Note: There is 2 trail entrances here, take the right hand (closest to the lake). | 3.3 | |
13 | Stay right at trail junction of Old Buntzen Lake Trail, Lake View Trail and Buntzen Lake Trail. | 6.6 | |
14 | Stay right and cross suspension bridge. | 6.7 | |
15 | On event day aid station #1 will be located here. There is also outhouses located nearby. | 6.8 | |
16 | After crossing bridge you will pass a wooden structure with maps of Buntzen Lake, turn left out onto gravel road, past a hanging wire gate then left again onto gravel road | 6.8 | |
17 | Major creek crossing, small house on the right hand side. | 7.0 | |
18 | You will pass Halvor Linden trail/Swan Falls sign on your right. Note: Ignore spurs and signs off to the right (uphill side). Stay on gravel road with Lesser Buntzen Lake off to your left. | 7.2 | |
19 | Gravel road turns into paved road. | 7.8 | |
20 | Straight through yellow gate. | 7.9 | |
21 | Swing left and cross overtop of the pipeline. Sign on this bridge, Max 61,000 GVW. | 8.0 | |
22 | Proceed over one lane bridge. Note, there will be a small rock quarry on your right here. | 8.1 | |
23 | After passing over one lane bridge, go past a small rock quarry on your left. You will be looking for a wooden power pole that has the #3 mark on it. | 8.2 | |
24 | Reference Point (RP) #2. Note: This is the lowest you will get on the Run to the Clouds route today. Elevation aprox 330 feet/100 meters. Turn left immediately after the wood power pole, up what looks like a creek bed. This changes into a trail within 15 meters. | 8.3 | |
25 | After climbing up a nasty creekbed the trail swings left and starts downhill. At next junction turn right staying on Old Buntzen Lake Trail. Spur down to left goes down to a dead end viewpoint. | 8.4 | |
26 | Go straight through junction, staying on Old Buntzen Lake Trail . Note, there will be an older pumphouse down on your left hand side here. | 8.5 | |
27 | Turn left onto Lake View Trail. | 9.3 | |
28 | Stay left at this trail junction of Old Buntzen Lake Trail, Lake View Trail and Buntzen Lake Trail. Yes, you have been here before. Follow this trail down to the suspension bridge again. | 9.4 | |
29 | Cross suspension bridge again. On event day an aid station #2 will be located here. There is also outhouses located nearby. | 9.6 | |
30 | After crossing bridge go out to the gravel road again, but this time turn right on the road and head up hill. | 9.6 | |
31 | After climbing slight hill on gravel road, turn right onto Buntzen Lake Trail, just past fence on right. Note: This area overlooks the inflow pipes coming down from Coquitlam Lake. | 9.8 | |
32 | Cross Poplar Creek | 10.7 | |
33 | Trail junction, marked "Powerhouse Road", stay straight on Buntzen Lake Trail (do not turn up). | 11.1 | |
34 | Turn right, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail. Do not take Powerhouse Road exit. Trail starts down switchbacks. | 12.0 | |
35 | Stay left, do not take spur out to viewpoint (unless you want to go have a look). Continue down switchbacks and across creek-bridge at bottom. | 12.1 | |
36 | You will see "Dog Park" fenced area on your right. Continue straight up trail. | 13.1 | |
37 | Note: For people doing the short route, cut through the dog park here to the right and head back to the gazebo for check in. For those wanting more fun, continue straight. | 13.2 | |
38 | Finish at Buntzen Lake Beach gazebo. Congratulations, you have just completed the 13.5 km “Run to the Clouds" route | 13.5 |
Please print out this course description (scroll down for a printer-friendly version) and bring it with you in a plastic baggie to the start. Here is a map.
|
Run to the Clouds new 10.5 km 2009 route | Distance in KM's | |
1 | Start at Buntzen Lake BC Hydro beach park. Park in far left lot, walk towards the beach, stay left. Gazebo on left side as you aproach the water. Elevation 420 feet/128 meters. | 0.0 | |
2 | Start route from Gazebo. Head down paved road towards the lake and boat launching area. | ||
3 | Turn left onto Energy Trail just before the lake, near boat dock area. | 0.1 | |
4 | Turn right onto Buntzen Lake Trail (first right) follow sign to "Floating Bridge" | 0.6 | |
5 | Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail | 1.0 | |
6 | Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail, towards "Entrance Gate" | 1.1 | |
7 | Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail, towards "Entrance Gate" | 1.5 | |
8 | Cross new bridge at South end of Buntzen Lake | ||
9 | Turn right onto gravel access road when exiting bridge | 1.7 | |
10 | Past "Saddle Ridge Trail" sign, stay on gravel road. (stay right close to lake). | 3.0 | |
11 | Past "Buntzen Lake Trail, and Lake View Trail", again stay right on gravel road. Slight right curve down towards pump house. | 3.2 | |
12 | Reference Point (RP) #1. Turn left onto Buntzen Lake Trail. Note: There is 2 trail entrances here, take the right hand (closest to the lake). | 3.3 | |
13 | Stay right at trail junction of Old Buntzen Lake Trail, Lake View Trail and Buntzen Lake Trail. | 6.6 | |
14 | Stay right and cross suspension bridge. | 6.7 | |
29 | Cross suspension bridge again. On event day an aid station will be located here. There is also outhouses located down near the lake too. | 6.6 | |
30 | After crossing bridge go out to the gravel road again, but this time turn right on the road and head up hill. | 6.6 | |
31 | After climbing slight hill on gravel road, turn right onto Buntzen Lake Trail, just past fence on right. Note: This area overlooks the inflow pipes coming down from Coquitlam Lake. | 6.8 | |
32 | Cross Poplar Creek | 7.7 | |
33 | Trail junction, marked "Powerhouse Road", stay straight on Buntzen Lake Trail (do not turn up). | 8.1 | |
34 | Turn right, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail. Do not take Powerhouse Road exit. Trail starts down switchbacks. | 9 | |
35 | Stay left, do not take spur out to viewpoint (unless you want to go have a look). Continue down switchbacks and across creek-bridge at bottom. | 9.1 | |
36 | You will see "Dog Park" fenced area on your right. Continue straight up trail. | 10.1 | |
37 | Note: For people doing the short route, cut through the dog park here to the right and head back to the gazebo for check in. For those wanting more fun, continue straight ahead. | 10.2 | |
38 | Finish at Buntzen Lake Beach gazebo. Congratulations, you have just completed the 13.5 km “Run to the Clouds" route | 10.5 |
Q: | Where the heck is Buntzen Lake? |
A: | Buntzen Lake is a BC Hydro gem located just north of Port Moody. It is the suburb just east of Burnaby. It is a short hop from anywhere in the lower mainland. |
Q: | How do I get there? |
A: | Probably easiest to Google Map Buntzen Lake from where you are and follow the information, but if you can't do that.... it is easiest heading east on Hwy #1, then taking the last turn off before the Port Mann Bridge. Follow signs towards Coquitlam (and Lougheed Highway #7 east as it goes past Riverview and heads towards the mountains. After going under a train bridge go straight (still North) just 100 more meters to the big intersection. Turn left here and Coquitlam Center will be on your right hand side as you head west for about 2 minutes. They you will see signs to Ioco, Buntzen etc. See other additional information on how to get there in this posting.. |
Q: | How long should it take me to drive out to the start/finish area? |
A: | At that time of day, it should take roughly 30 to 45 minutes from pretty much anywhere in Vancouver area. NOTE: This is not way far away folks.. !!! |
Q: | Will it be hard?? |
A: | The course will be challenging for sure as it has roughly 2000' of elevation gain throughout the 25 km route. After completing a lap of Buntzen (lots of small ups and downs) it will head up the west flank of Eagle Mountain to a turn around point up high. Then, after descending back down to lake level it will return back to the start/finish area via the lower end of the lake and some of the first few km's of the route. Views are unreal, unless of course we are in the clouds. Hence the name of the event. Note: for those not wanting to do the full 25 kms there is a 13.5 and 10.5 km route option this year. Don't let any excuse hold you or your friends back OK. |
Q: | What type of terrain should I expect to be running on? |
A: | The course will be mainly gravel topped singletrack trails through the woods. with a bit of fire road, mixed in. Other than crossing a road twice, there is no pavement. Care will have to be taken on the rougher surfaces as it might be easy to roll an ankle or get tripped up. Note: This route is not for runners who like tracks, flat courses, or 100% paved, groomed and raked surfaces. |
If you'd like to support the Run To The Clouds in some way, we'd love to have you onboard. At the very least, we can promise you a place on this Thank You page!
Kintec Footlabs
Thank you for the awesome recognition prizes.
TrailSidePhysio: Thanks to Francisco, John, Kevin and Erin from for their roaming first aid support
Norco Performance Bikes: Thanks for their much appreciated prizes.
TrailRunner: Thank you for the 2 gift subscriptions to your popular magazine as draw prize.
MEC and Nestle - Thank you for making sure that our aid station was well-stocked with PowerBars and PowerGels!
And to the Golden Spike Pub in Port Moody, for having us all over following the run and for the fantastic burger and beer special.
Please contact us with your thoughts on how you'd like to participate.
Please take a moment to share your thoughts about the Club Fat Ass event you recently participated in. Your feedback will help your Event Host to refine their event next year.
This is an anonymous, confidential survey (as long as you are not logged in to the website) so please feel free to offer constructive criticism about any aspect of the event in the comment box.