2006 - Year 4 - Capilano Canyon Mardigras Night Run
Run Report:
Over the past 4 years, the Capilano Canyon Night Run has developed a bit of a reputation. Is it a reputation for being a competitive hammerfest? Is it as a good first time night run? Is it a social run? Is it a great opportunity to get lost in the dark, mangled... or simply a good excuse for a party?It was cold and clear when we assembled next to the soccer field at the Griffin Gym. Runners jumped up and down to stay warm, or waited in their cars for the 6:30 start. A nearly-full moon cast long shadows over the parking lot as runners exchanged greetings, sparked up their headlamps and made last minute decisions to run the short (13K) or long (18K) routes.
The first topic of conversation as we set off onto the dark trails was night running. The Mick family drove in from Coquitlam to try night running for the first time. Something a bit different for a Saturday night, eh? Carlos Castillo ran from Victoria to North Vancouver for the event... quite a feat considering that a large body of water also separates the 2 cities! Carlos shared that he wanted to improve his familiarity with running trails in the dark as training for an attempt at running a 100-mile trail run under 24-hours. Katheryne and Tara were out with Tie the wonder dog who was dressed for the occasion with a stylish running jacket. It was an anniversary outing for Jan Riddell and Terry Lewis. They met 4 years earlier in the hot tub after the inaugural winter version of this run.
The smell of wood smoke was thick in the air as we weaved our way toward Capilano Canyon through the trails and parks of suburban North Vancouver. "Normal" people were cosy in their homes, perhaps enjoying a firelight dinner or watching the Olympics. Someone pointed to a shooting star as we dropped into the total darkness of Capilano Canyon.
Not long into the more technical canyon section of the run, elite runners Tom Skinner and Paul Purin came blazing by in what would surely be a record time for the long course. It's amazing to see a pro hammer over roots, rocks and through mud in the dark. The guys skipped from rock to rock in perfect synchronization. It didn't look like they were even breathing hard. In seconds, however, they were swallowed by the inky darkness as they passed the range of a headlamp beam. ('Turns out they got lost, so the record stands!)
One of the more experienced ultrarunners in British Columbia, Ron Adams, lives on the banks of the Capilano River at about the one hour point on the course. Ron and his son Bryce were on teh course handing out food and fluids and checking for lost lambs as we left the canyon. Newbie night runners Erin and Nicole especially appreciated Ron's salty potato chips.
Billed as a night run, this event is actually a triathlon. At the conclusion on the run, most participants head over the local community center to warm up in the hot tub. Many then see who can stay up the latest at the potluck finisher party.
The folks at Harry Jerome Rec center turned on the slippery slide when the muddy, endorphin-charged runners showed up. Hot tub. Pool. Sauna. Repeat until starved. Hit the buffet table. Have a beer and spin some yarns.
Thanks to Ethelyn, Ron and Bryce for helping out, North Shore Athletics and Trail Runner magazine for the prizes and everyone who contributed to the great meal and helped with cleanup afterwards.
The Capilano Canyon Night run is held twice a year in February and August. If you're interested in giving night running a try, setting the course record or just having a fun run, mark your calendar for the summer Midsummer Night Dream version on Saturday 19 August!
Sibylle Tinsel and Ean Jackson
Co-Hosts
Please click on the photos for a larger view.
| First Name | Last Name | City/Town | Event | Time | Points |
| Paul | Purin | North Vancouver | 18km | 1:29 | 2 |
| Tom | Skinner | Vancouver | 18km | 1:29 | 2 |
| Bill | Dagg | Vancouver | 18km | 1:31 | 2 |
| Mark | Pedlow | North Vancouver | 18km | 1:31 | 2 |
| John | Foy | North Vancouver | 18km | 1:33 | 1 |
| Doug | MacKay | North Vancouver | 18km | 1:45 | 2 |
| Dave | Smith | Vancouver | 18km | 1:45 | 1 |
| Terry | Lewis | North Vancouver | 13km | 1:31 | 1 |
| Jan | Riddell | North Vancouver | 13km | 1:31 | 1 |
| John | Machray | North Vancouver | 13km | 1:34 | 2 |
| Baldwin | Lee | Burnaby | 13km | 1:34 | 2 |
| Michele | Sherstan | North Vancouver | 13km | 1:34 | 2 |
| Craig | Moore | North Vancouver | 13km | 1:34 | 2 |
| Carlos | Castillo | Victoria | 13km | 1:38 | 2 |
| Patricia | Barry | Vancouver | 13km | 1:40 | 2 |
| Mike | Diack | North Vancouver | 13km | 1:40 | 1 |
| Faith | Wells | Vancouver | 13km | 1:40 | 2 |
| Tara | Jackson | West Vancouver | 13km | 1:44 | 2 |
| Erin | Mick | Coquitlam | 13km | 1:44 | 2 |
| Deb | Mick | Coquitlam | 13km | 1:44 | 2 |
| Joe | Mick | Coquitlam | 13km | 1:44 | 1 |
| Nichole | Mick | Coquitlam | 13km | 1:44 | 2 |
| Sibylle | Tinsel | North Vancouver | 13km | 1:44 | 3 |
| Saba | Ekes | Burnaby | 13km | 1:44 | 1 |
| Katheryne | Gardiner | Vancouver | 13km | 1:44 | 2 |
| Ean | Jackson | North Vancouver | 13km | 1:44 | 3 |
| Rhonda | Schuller | Vancouver | 13km | 1:47 | 2 |
| Cheryl | Johnson | Pitt Meadows | 13km | 1:47 | 1 |
| Scott | Hannam | North Vancouver | 13km | 1:50 | 1 |
| Laddie | Hannam | North Vancouver | 13km | 1:50 | 1 |
| Ron | Adams | North Vancouver | Crew | 1 | |
| Bryce | Adams | North Vancouver | Crew | 1 | |
| Ethelyn | David | Crew | 1 | ||
| Tom | Jarecki | Delta | 0 | DNS | -1 |