Event Application - Forbidden Forest Run

Thank you for applying online and in advance for an invitation to participate in this event.

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 required in case I need to contact you... or your next of kin! Also, to make sure I spell your name right in the results. 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 "Submit" below, your registration details will be confirmed.

The Midnight Rambler
Your Club Fat Ass Event Host

Agenda

What to Bring?

• Aid. Food, water (2 or more bottles / 3 liter hydration pack), electrolyte drink, K-rations
• Equipment. Bug spray, gloves, non-reflective dark clothing, black commando toque. There may be some bushwhacking, so don't bring anything you don't mind ripping to shreds. Note: Make absolutely certain that you have covered any reflective material on your gear!
  
• Official timing system. A watch will do. It would be great if someone would bring a pedometer / GPS / altimeter so we can determine the "official" distance, elevation gain/loss and other details for future runners.
  
• Change of clothes. No chance for a shower, but we may be in the company of other people if we make it back to the pub before last call
• Crew. We need someone to drive us to the drop-off. Recommend that person join us for the victory celebration afterwards... or agree to bail us out.
  

Other Notes

• this event is not sponsored, sanctioned, permitted or anything else that would qualify it as an official event. There may be some legal issues.
  

Course

Results

2006 - Year 3 - Forbidden Forest Run

Forbidden Forrest Run 2006 Starters

 

It seems the word is out on the Forbidden Forest Run!  There was no recruitment drive per se, yet over 30 people completed an application to join the Capilano Commandos in 2006.

 

Rumors on the street were that the course was a hair short of the posted 45K distance, so we moved the start.  An equal opportunity unit, the Capilano Commandos welcomed their first woman and a handful of Hashers this year.  It would prove to be a memorable evening!

 

After a short golf course tour, the trail heads steeply upwards.  The elite Capilano Commando unit almost sprinted up the hill.  The main pack followed at a more leisurely pace followed by the 2 cyclists who were to act as scouts when we entered the Forbidden Forest.

 

It was the perfect summer evening and spirits were high.  The main pack of runners reached the Forbidden Forest at roughly 90 minutes into the mission.  Two GPS confirmed that the revised distance to this point was 10K.

 

The "lead" bikers caught up to the last runners as night fell.  With 8 runners and 2 bikers in front, the main group of commandos paid little heed to the danger of this mission and began to spot satellites and chat about favorite runs.  Before we knew it, we'd run 35K.

 

As we approached the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a darkly clad figure came out of the bushes.  An LED light flashed from behind a stump.  A cry went out, "Look out... they're coming back!"  We recuperated the survivors of the elite group and quickly left the main trail.

 

We bushwhacked without the benefit of our headlamps.  The story of the ambush circulated in hushed tones.  It seemed as though the fastest of the elite unit was captured first.  A returning enemy patrol then captured 5 more of the elite squad.  Within striking distance of the perimeter of the Forbidden Forest, the bikers also rode directly into an ambush.  As the surviving members of the Capilano Commandos inched through the Forest to relative safety, a white wolf appeared only a meter away.

 

Once back on familiar trails, we mourned for our fallen comrades and picked up the pace to make sure we didn't miss last call.  Three keeners, insistent on making this run count as an "ultra", tacked on a few kilometers for good measure before regrouping at the Mosquito Creek.  Last man arrived in 5:30 running time and 30 minutes to last call.

 

Mission accomplished.  18 starters.  5 taken prisoner or missing in action.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005 - Year 2 - Forbidden Forest Run

2005 (Second Running) Forbidden Forest Run Starters

2005 Forbidden Forest Run Finish Line

  

2005 Forbidden Forest Run Finishers Enjoying a Celebratory Pint

Injury and a lack of planning saw the second running of the Forbidden Forest run postponed until the late summer of 2005.  To shake things up a bit, we opted to set off on our mission earlier so as to not run the risk of missing last call at the pub.  We kept the same route, but added a solo Kamikaze bicycle rider who would ride scout in front of the runners with a walkie talkie and take the hit for the team, should it be required.

Given that the route had already been run and that veteran Capilano Commandos were on the mission, there was less need to consult the maps.  It took roughly 90 minutes to cover the 10K trek to the Forbidden Forrest.

The proper hardware was at hand to get not only the runners but the scout bike into the Forrest.  Would the patrol come at the same time?  Since it was daylight, would we know when a patrol was approaching?  Was the rumor about heat sensors and helicopter patrols being implemented true?  With these and other questions in mind, we set off into the Forbidden Forest.

In the light of day, the Forbidden Forest looked even more magical than in the night.  Our biker tried to stay a kilometer or so ahead of the runners with explicit instructions to warn us of any approaching patrols, be they overhead, on the trail or on foot.  10K, 15K, 20K, 25K into the Forrest the warning didn't come, so our biker held back with runners.  "Lights!" the call rang out and Capilano Commandos scattered into the dark forest.  False alarm.  We had reached the end of the Forbidden Forest and were given a fright by car lights from the city.

There was no race for the pub, as we were a couple of hours earlier and our destination had chanced to the Mosquito Creek.  Yeh... there would be time to have some burgers with our celebratory beer!

Mission accomplished.  100% finish rate with no casualties whatsover. 

2003 - Year 1 - Forbidden Forest Run

 

 

Inaugural (2003) Forbidden Forest Run Starters

2003 Forbidden Forest Run Finish Line

This, the first year of the Forbidden Forest Run, was full of mystery and excitement.  Where would we start?  Where would we finish?  Where would we go and what dangers were waiting for us on this top secret mission?

Since none of us had run this route, we often stopped to consult the topographical maps.  Arriving at the Forbidden Forest itself, we had to discover a way in.  Once in the Forest itself, we had to be constantly vigilant for motion detectors, helicopter and Humvee patrols, hidden cameras and all manner of booby traps. 

As night fell upon the Forbidden Forest, a sharp call of, "It's a light...hit the dirt," rang out and all 6 Capilano Commandos leaped from the trail impaling themselves on sticks, scraping their hands and shins on the rough rocks.  But they were not discovered.  A muffled cheer rang out and the mission continued with 4 commandos running forward and 2 running backwards to keep watch for the returning patrol vehicle.

It was now total darkness, but the Commandos ran without their headlamps.  Several kilometers down the trail, dark shadows were seen milling about ahead.  Was it bears... or worse, an ambush?  Actually, it was a road sign and an outhouse, but the adrenalin level was definitely running at a high.

"Hit the dirt!"  Again, we leapt from the trail into the inky darkness, but this time into a patch of prickle bushes.  Again, the patrol passed without discovering our presence. We exchanged high-5s and soldiered on.

At roughly 37K into the mission, we rounded a corner and came to lights. "It's an ambush!" and we scattered, only to learn that these were the lights of civilization at the far edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Once back onto familiar territory, our pace picked up and mission became one of making last call at the pub.  We arrived at the Avalon at roughly 12:30 and managed to get in 2 quick rounds before closing.

Mission accomplished.  100% success with no losses save a few scrapes and bruises. 

 

Background

As much a commando raid as a run, the Forbidden Forest Run is a challenge to even the most experienced athlete: The route is approximately 45 kilometers long. It is a group run where the slowest person is expected to be able to complete the distance in 4 hours. Footing ranges from single-track to gravel and may involve bushwhacking in dense prickle bushes. There is no access to food or aid of any kind along the route. Much of the run is completed in the night without a flashlight or headlamp.

Specific details of the route are top secret. In general terms, it starts just off the Sea to Sky Highway between West Vancouver and Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. The finish is the Mosquito Creek Bar & Grill in North Vancouver. The objective is to make it to the pub by last call.

Until the summer of 2003, it is believed that this was one of the rare trails in and around Vancouver that had never been officially "bagged" by a runner. Word on the street was that an elite mountain biker or two had survived this challenge with minor superficial wounds. While some runners have attempted it, none were known to have succeeded.

On the evening of Friday 25 July 2003, six ultramarathon runners from the Vancouver area (the original Capilano Commandos) successfully completed the mission in just under 5 hours. It took incredible stamina, nerves of steel and, since they navigated most of the 45 kilometer run without lights, outstanding night vision.

The course was not challenged until Saturday 10 September 2005. On that evening, 5 runners and one cyclist completed a slightly shorter route under slightly different circumstances in 4:06.

Anyone who feels they have what it takes to become a Capilano Commando is welcome to apply. Since this is an elite team mission, applicants may have to complete a hazing ceremony before receiving a confirmation. The date of the next attempt will remain a secret until the last possible moment, but will most likely take place on a Friday or Saturday evening in August under a full moon.

Apply for an invitation

Thanks!

If you'd like to support the Forbidden Forest Run in some way, we'd love to have you onboard. At the very least, we can promise you a place on this Thanks page!

Please complete an application and note your thoughts in the comments box. (No, you don't have to run!)

Many thanks to:

Our Fallen Comrades

Paul Quinn, a top Vancouver ultramarathon runner is known to have made two valiant, but unsuccessful attempts in the late '90s.  2006 was a bad year, as 2 bait riders and 5 runners did not make the pub unscathed.

Mosquito Creek Bar & Grill

All Capilano Commandos who successfully complete the mission have been promised a free pint by Managers Lucie Paquet and Kelly Nielson. Must be there by last call! www.mosquitocreek.net

Rick Arikado

Rick is our official cartographer. Thanks for the great maps, Rick.

Sibylle Tinsel - Club Fat Ass

Club Fat Ass helps this run with web hosting, online registration and coaches us on how to host a safe, fun, environmentally-friendly event. (Note: This is one event she really didn't want to have anything to do with, so don't blame her!)

Crew

'Can't mention your names, but you know who you are! Thanks!!

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