| Q: | Is this an official event? |
| A: | No... it's a standing challenge. Our team of experienced ultramarathon runners attempted to be the first to run the Sunshine Coast Trail nonstop in 2003 and 2004. The record currently stands at 43 hours and 50 minutes. |
| Q: | Why would you want to run the trail non-stop from start to finish? |
| A: | Because nobody else has. Because in 2003, we challenged the trail and the trail won. Because we're buddies and we enjoy hanging out together. Because we can! |
| Q: | Has anyone else ever tried to run the Sunshine Coast Trail non-stop? |
| A: | No. Our team tried to run it in 2 days in 2003 and failed. Some friends of ours (Sally Marcellus and Rob Lang) successfully ran the trail in sections over 4 days in the spring of 2004. Prior to that, a group of hikers completed it over 7 days (Scott Glaspey, Eagle Walz, Don Krompocker, Bonnie & Johnnie Mercer, Andy Davis) |
| Q: | The trail includes 4750 meters of elevation gain and 3470 meters of elevation loss (8,220 meters of change.) That's like climbing Mount Everest (8848 meters) from sea level. Would you do it again? |
| A: | Probably not the whole thing, but definately sections. |
| Q: | What did you eat? |
| A: | Each team member carried enough food and water to be self-sufficient for at least 6 hours. This food consisted primarily of electrolyte drink, high carbohydrate/glucose gels and sports bars. We meet our crew at various points along the trail. They provided us with 'real' food such as sandwiches, potato chips, cola, beer and whatever else made each individual runner go. For an interesting read, check out our food checklist |
| Q: | What did you wear? |
| A: | We carried the minimum amount of gear possible given the weather. Basic clothing consisted of short sleeve technical shirt, shorts, sox, trail running shoes and a backpack. Each runner carried their own water in either handheld water bottles or in their backpacks. Check out our gear checklist |
| Q: | Do you have any sponsors or financial support? |
| A: | Please see our thanks page |
| Q: | Did anyone help you during the run? |
| A: | Yes. We were blessed with awesome support from the Powell River community, family and friends. It would be tough to think of doing something like this without them. Check out our crew tasks and our thanks page |
| Q: | Sarah Point Marine Park, the start, is not accessible by road. How did you get to the start and what time will you leave? |
| A: | In 2003, we took a water taxi from Lund to Sarah Point at 5:00 am. In 2004, we took the same water taxi to Sarah Point in the afternoon and opted for an alpine start (leaving at 2:00 am) to maximize daylight. |
| Q: | Did you get lost along the trail? |
| A: | Yes, we got lost from time to time. In 2003, we got lost a lot. In 2004, Jackson climbed one mountain he shouldn't have, but managed to find his way back to the trail before Search and Rescue was called in. |
| Q: | Did anyone take photos? |
| A: | Yes. Paul Kennedy, an experienced adventure photographer, accompanied us. We also were accompanied by a team of film makers who plan to make a documentary of this adventure one day. Please see our Results page. |
| Q: | Are there many people out there like you? I mean, 180-kilometers is a long way to drive! |
| A: | Believe it or not, trail running and ultradistance running is becoming increasingly popular. There are approximately 30 running races of 100-mile distance in the United States. Some attract as many as 500 participants. Elsewhere in the world, the 100 kilometer distance is the standard ultradistance run. The 87k Comrades ultramarathon in South Africa attracts almost 20,000 participants. |