The Slack Ass 50
What?
- The Slack Ass 50 features a 50 mile course. The Half Ass will cover 19 or 21k. There is also a 6k road or trail option
- Featuring Edmonton's extensive trail system along the beautiful river valley
- A mix of forest trails and pavement, the trail will follow rolling, well established trails through major parks for the majority of the route. There will be some steeper cross country style terrain to mix it up a bit so be prepared
When and Where?
- 9 June 2013
- Start: 08:00am
- Start / finish in at the parking lot at the third corner near the entrance to the foot bridge to Laurier Park, in Hawrelak Park in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
How Much?
- This is a Flash event and membership in Club Fat Ass is not required, however whining is not allowed. If you are interested in a membership, please check out current membership fees and benefits here)
- Please sign up for this free event online and in advance. This will allow us to keep the logistics before the event to a minimum.
- You are responsible for your own well being and safety and should be self sufficient. Please read the Release of All Claims. By participating in this event you agree to the terms of the Release of All Claims.
Flash Registration - The Slack Ass
Thank you for registering online and in advance.
This is a Club Fat Ass (CFA) event, so we adhere to CFA event management guidelines and privacy policy.
Please complete the whole form. Your personal information is needed to
make sure I spell your name right in the results and so I can contact
you... or your next of kin! The other information helps me to plan any
aid or post-event activities. Please help me to host a safer, better
event by registering early and by notifying me if you can't make it.
I'm constantly looking for ways to improve, so please share your
thoughts or questions with me in the Suggestion Box below. After you
click on "Yes, I agree" below, your registration details will be
confirmed.
Allison Conroy - Your Club Fat Ass Flash Event Host
Course - The Slack Ass
This is a Club Fat Ass event so the course is environmentally friendly and is not marked, so please make sure you print out this course description (scroll down for a printer friendly version) and bring it and a plastic baggie to protect it with you on the day of the run. Better yet, train on the course and bring the directions!
Remember where you are going, the Half Ass is an out and back with a loop on the end, and the Slack Ass begins th e same way. If you are unsure of the course, you can get a free copy of the Cycle Edmonton map, and I could indicate the route on it for you. All the trails are well highlighted on the map, along with distance and amenities. I believe that MEC on 124st and Jasper Ave has them.
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Time |
June 10.2012 50 Mile Slack Ass and 19/21 km Half Ass Run or 6k Easy Ass Run |
km |
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7:45am |
Meet at Picnic Shelter number 2. You can look at a map of the park here... http://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/parks_rivervalley/william-hawrelak-park.aspx |
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8:00am |
START. Begin by crossing the Hawrelak Park footbridge into Laurier Park. At the end of the bridge, turn left or south on the trail closest to the river. There are some portions where the trail feeds you back onto a road, simply get back onto the trail when it reopens. They run parellel so don't worry which path you are on. |
00.0 |
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Continue down that trail until it feeds you onto a paved path. You will then note that the path ends at a little loop and you will turn around and come back just as you came or thereabouts. |
3k |
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If you choose to end it when you get back to Hawrelak Park, you have done 6k! If you keep going, cross the bridge back into Hawrelak Park, where you will see the bathrooms where you started off, and turn right onto a dirt path. |
6k |
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Follow the dirt path up a gradual climb until you arrive at a road, Saskatchewan Drive. Follow the road until you see a paved path on your right hand side. This will feed you onto the old Keillor Road and behind the horse barns. Follow this wide paved path until you reach an intersection where there is a stop sign and a road to your left. Take this left and follow the road around as it curves left. You will come to a little path leading to the parking area on your right - get on it. Then go right when you get to the road, you should now be going away from the stable and towards the bridge. Turn left (where there are outhouses on the righthand side) onto the little service road, going underneath the bridge. You will see a little footbridge on the far right corner of the parking lot, cross it. The get onto the path, turning left at the T intersection. |
10k |
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Continue on this path straight without exiting out of the ravine on any of the trails going up - toward the ski area. You will reach a campground. They do have locked facilities that you could perchance beg for if you were in real need, but don't bet on it. Either way, the top of the ski hill is your turn-around so get climbing! |
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| 10:30am | If you are doing the Half Ass, you have now returned to the START/FINISH and are done, congratulations!! If you wanted to do 13.1miles, do 1 victory loop around Hawrelak. |
19k |
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If you are continuing, continue on the lower trail the leads northbound past the picnic shelter, closest to the water. You will soon come underneath Groat Bridge. |
21k |
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Continue onto the dirt trail in front of you just beside the park road as it heads into the forest. There is a bathroom with running water on your right in Emily Murphy Park, where the brown buildings are on the other side of the road. Keep your eyes open if you need one! You will continue on into the forest until you get to a little blue pedestrain bridge and a service road. |
23.5k |
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Take the service road eastbound, the same way you were going past the sport fields on your right. There are bathrooms with running water in the little brown building on your left or across the field in the Kinsmen Sport Center. You can also buy snacks and Starbucks coffee in the cafeteria. Stay left after the bathrooms to get onto the next trail. |
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When the trail spits you out, continue on the paved path that leads under the bridge (walterdale bridge) which will lead you on a paved path up a short steepish hill. At the top of that hill, turn down or left, and continue in the park... the other way leads to the road. There are more bathrooms with runing water here. Continue on said paved path until you get to James Macdonald Bridge. |
24k |
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From James MacDonald bridge, keep going straight on the south side of the river. You will pass the low level bridge and then come to a long steady uphill. Half way up you will see a dirt trail on your left. Get onto it and follow it until you are forced back onto a paved path. You will pass by the Dawson Bridge. |
26k |
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You will then pass by Capilano footbridge and keep going on a dirt path which you will find closest to the river. You will get onto a paved section, and then back onto a dirt section, ending up at the Rundle Park footbridge (37k). Cross over it and go right or eastbound. There are bathrooms, snacks and water at Rundle Park. |
30k |
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Follow the paved path until it hooks onto a dirt path on your right. You will follow this path until it feeds you back onto a paved path as it passes by Beverly and Cloverbar bridges. Take the paved path to your left at the Y intersection. |
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Continue along the paved path until you can get off on a dirt path to your left. Follow this path until it becomes pavement. This is your turn-around! Half way there! |
40k |
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Retrace your steps to get back to Rundle Park Bridge. Cross it back to where you came from and continue on until you get to the next bridge, the Capilano Footbridge. Cross it. |
43k |
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Keep going on this path, passing Capilano Bridge, on the trail closest to the river. You will be fed back onto a paved path. You are now in Dawson Park Offleash Area. Be careful! |
60 k |
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There is a dirt trail to the left towards the river from the paved path. There is also a bathroom with running water in the main pavillion. Follow the conveluded system of paved trails/dirt pathes/residential roads until you get into a park by the name of Lousie McKinney. You will be fine as long as you stay on the designated bike route or closest as you can to the river. |
64k |
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You will soon find yourself at the entrance to a park with a Chinese gazebo. Cross the red pedestrian bridge into Cloverdale. Follow the path straight across the next footbridge. Continue down the path past the greenhouses, then turn left and follow the service road immediately beside the greenhouses onto the path and up over the pedestrian bridge (turn right atthe T and right at the Y to get there) then into the Millcreek Ravine. |
69k |
| Follow the trail until you see the sign for Millcreek Ravine Pool (or the Whytemud overhead) - then turn-around and head back the same way over both pedestrian bridges into Louise McKinney Park. The pool may let you use the bathroom but there are oftrn porta-potties on the trail. | 72k | |
| Turn left after the pedestrian bridge into Louise McKinney Park and follow the path as it curves closest to the river. You will eventually arrive back at Groat Bridge, after passing the golf course on your right hand side at the end of River Valley Road. Cross the road (River Valley Road) and climb the short steep hill, then cross the bridge... go down the stairs into Emily Murphy Park. Go under left Groat Bridge and follow the dirt path back to picnic shelter #2. | 75k | |
| 8pm | Follow this path through the forest, through the park, under Groat Bridge and ont ot the upper trail or the one furthest from the river. You will follow this path back to Picnic Shelter #2... or the START/FINISH. | 50 MILES |
Results - The Slack Ass
We strive to have results listed within 24h of the end of the event.
2012 Slack Ass
2 June 2012 - Slack Ass Start
Report: A great time was had by all. Luckily the rain held off until after the event was over - so the whole crew stayed dry. Chuck did some running around between groups so managed some extra distance... but the rest stuck together and enjoyed some great running - and even greater company!
Photos: If you have photos from the day, please add them to the Club Fat Ass Flickr group and tag them with SlackAss2012 SlackAss ClubFatAssEvents2012 ClubFatAssEvents (instructions on how to do that are here).
Survey: Please take a moment to give us your feedback in this brief survey.
Results: coming soon
| Name | Distane | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck | 10k | 1:20 |
| Tina | 7.5k | 1:20 |
| Jenny | 7.5k | 1:20 |
| Tanis | 7.5k | 1:20 |
| Michelle and her 3 kids | 7.5k | 1:20 |
2011 Slack Ass
12 June 2011 - Slack Ass Start
Report: We had a fabulous day on the Slack Ass course today. The 6k runners all came in together in about 43 minutes. The 13.1 mile runners came in at 2:18. On the half marathon course we saw a deer, a bunch of giant hares and hopped a bunch of boulders and dirt mounds. After the race we enjoyed some homeade pasta and beer/chocolate milk at Chiantis while our one 50 mile hero, Moe carried onto until the 65k mark in 8 hours .
Photos: A slideshow of event images is posted below. If you have photos from the day, please add them to the Club Fat Ass Flickr group and tag them with SlackAss2011 SlackAss ClubFatAssEvents2011 ClubFatAssEvents (instructions on how to do that are here). They will automatically be added to the slideshow (coming soon)
Survey: Please take a moment to give us your feedback in this brief survey.
Results: coming soon
2010 Slack Ass
13 June 2010 - Slack Ass Start
Report: It was a beautiful day despite a cold and rainy week with temperatures climbing into the high twenties. The 25k group seemed to finish just as the real heat came, while the 50mile Saskatoon runners braved the heat for the remainder of the day. Getting a bit turned around by Groat Bridge... and ending up on top of it, rather than under it, the 50 mile pair put on a few extra miles. The 25k group went off course slightly as well as they decided to run up the Snow Valley Ski Hill rather than finish the course off on the flat path beside it! Also note worthy is that this was Heidi's long run and she ran farther than a half marathon!
Photos: A slideshow of event images is posted below. If you have photos from the day, please add them to the Club Fat Ass Flickr group and tag them with SlackAss2010 SlackAss ClubFatAssEvents2010 ClubFatAssEvents (instructions on how to do that are here). They will automatically be added to the slideshow.
Survey: Please take a moment to give us your feedback in this brief survey.
Results:
| Name | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Kripki | 50 miles | 9:30 |
| Tara Hilkewich | 50 miles | 9:30 |
| Tanya Zwaan | 23k | 2:23 |
| Heidi Looby, | 23k | 2:14 |
| John Tai | 23k | 2:14 |
| Allison Conroy | 23k | 2:14 |
2009 Slack Ass
20 June 2009 - Starter Photo
Report: This was the Slack Ass's biggest year! Several people showed up for the 25k, one showed up to run 6k, and two runners take on the full 50 miles. The weather report warned of showers but not a drop of rain hit. Instead the whole day was filled with sunny sky and corresponding heat. The highlights of the day were spotting a deer in the Whitemud Ravine and dodging green worms hanging form the trees. The 50 mile runners both completed about 65k... one for a calf injury the other for an ice cream cone.
Photos: A slideshow of event images is posted here. If you have more photos from the day, please add them to the Club Fat Ass Flickr group and tag them with SlackAss2009 SlackAss and ClubFatAssEvents (instructions on how to do that are here). They will automatically be added to the slideshow.
Survey: Please take a moment to give us your feedback in this brief survey.
Participants
| First Name | Last Name | Event | Time |
| Christine | Archibald | 13.1 miles | |
| Shawne | Flaherty | 13.1 miles | |
| James | Hunt | 13.1 miles | |
| Pam | Marr | 13.1 miles | |
| UNA | MCLEOD | 13.1 miles | |
| Colleen | Wiegers | 13.1 miles | |
| Carrie | Dubilowski | 63km | 8:51 |
| Amanda | Helmle | ? |
2007 Slack Ass
16 June 2007 - Slack Ass Starters
It was a small crowd that assembled to run the inaugural Slack Ass 50 in Edmonton. Looks like they had fun anyway. Alli and Chuck out did themselves crewing for Nathan and providing GPS data. Nathan was thrilled (good on him for toughing out 50 miles on his own) with his first Club Fat Ass event and is thinking of starting an event in Lethbridge. Way to go!
| First Name | Last Name | Distance | Time |
Points |
| Nathan | Cooper | 50 miles | ~ 8h | 2 |
| Chuck | Conroy | 10 miles | ? | 2 |
| Alli | Conroy | injured host | n/a | 3 |
Agenda - The Slack Ass
| 9 June 2013 | |
| 6:30am | Get up and check the weather |
| 7:45am | Arrival and Check In |
| 7:50am | Group Photo |
| 8:00am | START |
| 10:00am | First finisher - Half Ass |
| 8:00pm | Last finisher - Slack Ass |
| 8:00pm | Celebration |
How to get to the start?
The start is at Hawrelak Park, 9930 Groat Road, picnic shelter #2. Below is a link with a map... http://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/parks_rivervalley/william-...
If coming from the North:
Take Groat Road Southbound. Cross Groat Bridge South. Follow signs to Parks Area and stay right, along the golf course. Turn in on your right onto the following entrance.
From the South:
Take Groat Road North. After following the hill down into the river valley, get off at the same exit for Victoria Park Road but go left instead of right at the top of the bridge. Follow this road back around Northbound and you will see the park entrance on your right.
What to Bring?
Bring your own food. There is a water tap at several points on the route (including the start), indicated on the route map but be prepared in case it is out of service. Again there are washrooms at the start and at several indicated points on the map but be prepared for the unexpected. Sorry - no showers are available and the pond is really icky.
Bring your own official timing system (a watch will do, even if the second hand doesn't work.) There will be a pen and paper to record your split times.
Bring a change of clothes for afterward and possibly a nice lounging chair or blanket.
Post-Event
For those left standing, a post event celebration will be held at Brewsters in Oliver Square at 8pm of the same evening.
Other Notes
This event is not sponsored, sanctioned, permitted or anything else that would qualify it as an official event.
Backgrounder - The Slack Ass
We figured there are enough fat asses in the prairies to have our own little event. Edmonton has a beautiful trail system that goes on for miles and it was the perfect venue to host such a run.
This is the only Club Fat Ass event in Edmonton. Do you want to join the growing family of Club Fat Ass event host and organize your own event? CFA makes it easy and as an added bonus, club membership is complimentary in the second year of hosting your event. Find out more at: http://www.clubfatass.com/host
FAQ - The Slack Ass
Q: I've never done a trail run before. Is this a good place to start?
A: It depends. Are you realistic about the distance you are thinking about running, well-prepared to run it and totally self-sufficient? If so, go for it! If in doubt, pick a shorter distance this time so you don't kill yourself, and come back to set the course record next year.
Q: Can I run less than 6k or more than 50M?
A: Absolutely! Just turn around when you like since the 6k Easy Ass is an out and back. To make it longer, you can add in an additional out and back through the lovely Milcreek Ravine or a loop around Goldbar Park. Or just do the whole thing twice!!If you want to run more than 50M, you will get special recognition as a certified glutton for punishment. We strongly recommend you have a pacer for any distance over 50M and that you carry a cell phone so you can call someone to pick you up when you expire.
Q: How tough is the course?
A: Tough question to answer! How far are you running? How fast? How well are you trained? There are rolling hills through out but no mountains. Be prepared for river valley running though.
Q: Do I really need to print off the course instructions and bring them with me
A: Yes. Without the detailed instructions or an intimate familiarity with the run route, you will get lost.
Q: This event is free, but for Club Fat Ass members only. How do I get into the club?
A: There is no hazing ceremony like the Hash House Harriers! Runners, walkers, hikers, triathletes, adventure racers, mountain bikers and anyone else interested in having fun in the great outdoors is welcome and can register online for a nominal fee.
Q: Can I wait until the last minute and join at the start?
A: Yes, but you make it easier on us when you preregister. Last minute registrations have to be added by hand to the registration list and results, preregistrations can be downloaded. Remember CFA events like to keep it simple and your event host wants to run as well.
Q: It's a free world. What's to stop me from just running the course.
A: Nothing... in fact, we strongly encourage you to run the course often in training! We prefer that you do not 'bandit' the course on event day, however. If you insist, please don't take any of the aid intended for members. You will not get recognition in the results or be eligible for any draw prizes and you'll have to wear a black patch over one eye at the banquet. Furthermore, you won't be allowed into future events until you come clean with past membership dues.
Q: What if I get lost?
A: You shouldn't get lost if you refer to the course instructions where you are faced with a choice of direction. If you do feel you are lost, ask someone... If you always get lost, bring a cell phone or a quarter for the pay phone, and make sure you have alerted someone that you might call for help or directions!
Q: Do I get credit for any time I spend off-course?
A: Are you kidding? Getting lost is a rite of passage in CFA runs. Most of the time, you can blame yourself for not paying attention. If you do find an obvious mistake in the course directions, point it out to the Event Host at the finisher banquet for a free beer!
Q: It's a pain in my you-know-what to pause and read instructions. Couldn't you mark the course like just about every other running race I've ever been in?
A: Club Fat Ass events are supposed to be different than every other running race you've ever been in. As an Event Host, I have to commit to not putting chalk/flour on the ground, hanging surveyor tape in the trees, painting rocks with arrows, putting up signs or doing anything that might leave a trace of the event on the environment, as this is the way Mother Nature prefers. Besides, having to read written course directions tends to slow down the faster runners.
Q: What is the 'Rule of the Trail'?
A: If you pack it in, you can pack it out. (That means don't you dare litter!) Leave nothing but your footprints on the course. We strongly encourage you to pick up any trash you find along the trail and to present it to the Event Host at the finisher banquet. There may be a recognition award for the person who packs out more than they packed in.
Q: What if I have to heed the call of nature.
A: There are washrooms in Hawrlack Park and throughout the river valley. Please refer to your course outline for additional info.
Q: What should I bring on race day?
A: Whatever you figure you will need given the weather, the distance you propose to run, your physical fitness on the day and your plans for after the run. Some thoughts are on the event agenda.
Distance. Since you are an experienced trail runner, you should know what you need. Water and food is an issue, so we recommend you carry at least 2 large bottles of fluid and plenty of trail chow.
Fitness. Since you are an experienced trail runner, you should know what you are capable of. If in doubt, take it easy and run a shorter distance.
Time. It gets dark by around 9:00pm, If you think you might be on the course after darkness falls, we encourage you to start an hour early, carry a headlamp and have a pacer for the last 10K or so. Remember, despite this being a trail run, you can always walk south or north to get out of the river valley if darkness "surprises" you.
Q: I am supposed to be self-sufficient because there is no aid provided. Can I get a friend to come out and give me food and drink along the route?
A: Absolutely! In fact, it would be nice if your friend were to help everyone. Click on crew tasks and aid station ideas for some thoughts on what some of the options are. Please have your friends and family members contact us and we will do all we can to insure that they have fun, as well.
Q: Can I bring my friends and family to the finisher party even if they didn't run or volunteer?
A: Absolutely! Please be sure to include them on your registration form so there will be room for them.
Q: How accurate is the course marking?
A: The course was measured with Edmonton's trail guide and then additionally with a GPS.
Q: When will the 'official' results be available?
A: We hope to have the results up on The Slack Ass website within 24 hours of the finisher banquet. We will also distribute the results to major local and national ultrarunning communities.
Thanks - The Slack Ass
Please contact us if you would like to support The Slack Ass in any way.
Our hope is to make this event totally self-supporting. In other words, do all of the organization beforehand and also participate.
Contact - The Slack Ass
I welcome your comments, criticisms, feedback and questions.Please be sure to read the the Agenda and FAQ section of this website first, as this is where I've tried to answer the most frequently asked questions.
Allison Conroy - Your CFA Flash Event Host
Post Event Survey - Slack Ass
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.