2010 Olympics - Share Your Run with a Visitor Challenge

I used to have to travel a lot for work.  Most of the time I'd end up alone in a big city in a big hotel. 

First priority after checking in was to go for a run.  So, I'd get geared-up, hop in the elevator, walk through a lobby of suits, go out the revolving door and then figure out if I'd run left or run right.  If I was really lucky, the concierge would have a little map with a lame 15-minute jogging circuit on it.

These runs were always a bit random.  Interesting... but not all that exciting because to keep the risk of getting lost to a minimum, I'd run out and back on the same street.  Not a trip went by where I didn't wish I knew someone who would take me under their wing and share their favorite trails with me.  Unfortunately, I rarely met the locals, so I almost always left town figuring I'd missed the good stuff.

As I walked to a meeting in downtown Vancouver on Friday, I was impressed by how the sidewalks were full of people in pale blue (officials?) and green (volunteer?) uniforms.  When you consider athletes, friends and families of athletes, volunteers, people working on the infrastructure, media and folks here for the party and the spectacle of the competition, it occurred to me that somewhere around 150,000 visitors would soon be coming to see the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

I then wondered how many of those visitors were runners.

How many of these visitors will end up thinking that running in Vancouver is an out-and-back on West Georgia Street?  How many will return home without experiencing the magnificent trails of Stanley Park, Pacific Spirit Park or the wilds of the north shore mountains?  How many of these visiting runners would have an even more positive view of the Olympic host city and Canucks in general if they were able to hook up with some of the locals for a run or two while in town?

I then wondered how a visiting runner could hook up with a local runner, especially the knowledgeable, outgoing kind of runner that one finds in Club Fat Ass. 

To that end, I've put together a little challenge to you, the Vancouver or Whistler runner.  Very simply, share a run with someone who is in town for the Olympics.

Sounds simple, but the devil is in the details.  Gotta have some runs and gotta let the visitors know about them.

To kick this off, I put the offer on the Club Fat Ass website and called it Run with a Local.  I also created a run as a Flash Event on one of my favorite trails.  I hope this serves as a good example of what might be of interest to a visitor. 

Here is some more background.  Please let me know what you think with a comment below.  

Thx!

Ean Jackson in North Vancouver

Run With a Local

What:  A place where visitors to the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics can meet local runners to train with.

How:  KISS.  (Keep It Simple, Stupid).  I  like the way David Crerar threw-out the Bagger Challenge last year.  He basically said, "Here are some mountain peaks.  I challenge you to bag as many as possible during a certain timeframe.  Here's a place to share your plans about peak-bagging adventures, a place where others who are interested in joining you can learn of your plans and hook up, and a place to share your photos and stories afterwards.  Have fun!"

When:  Month of February 2010

Other:

• "local" means within 100K of a 2010 Olympic or Paralympic venue
• a "run" is at least 15 minutes long and can be on a local trail or road.
• any "local" can host an event.  (e.g. don't have to be a Club Fat Ass member)
• runs, stories of runs, photos etc. should go on the Club Fat Ass website so experiences can be shared

Carrots:

I will try to scrounge some prizes and come up with some categories of awards for the locals who go to the trouble.  Initial thoughts include:

• Missionary Award.  Person who takes the most visitors out for a run
• Most Popular Guide Award.  Person who gets the most documented accolades from visitors
• Most Likely to Succeed at Marketing.  Person who best documents their experience.
• Most Off-the-Wall Run Award.  Most eventful run
• any other thoughts?

How will I measure success?

• some visiting runners have a more rewarding stay because they meet some locals and had some awesome runs while in town
• local runners have positive memories of the 2010 Olympics because they met some visitors and were able to share their favorite runs
• everyone makes a new friend and has a good run
• top run routes remain on the Club Fat Ass website, so others can use in the future

Please help me make this work by:

• sharing your thoughts about this idea below.  Easy to make enhancements at this point... and I appreciate the feedback
• chip in a run or 2.  That would be as simple as sharing your Saturday morning training run.  Here are instructions on how to contribute a run.
• tell your friends, so they might chip in a run or 2
• tell any visiting runners you meet

Here are the specifics of the challenge.  The first event I've proposed is a tour of Capilano Canyon on Friday, 12 February at noon, just before the 2010 Winter Olympic opening ceremonies.

Flash - Cap Canyon Crawl 10K

What:  A spectacular trail run in and around Capilano Canyon Regional Park. 

Where:  Meet in the parking lot at Cleveland Dam in North Vancouver.  It's on the left side of Capilano Road about 1 kilometer past the Capilano Canyon Suspension Bridge and about the same before Grouse Mountain.

Why:  Because this run showcases some magnificent trails and it's close to downtown.

How:  If interested, please leave a comment below with your name. 

Other: 

• 45 minutes to an hour run.  Can go longer, if you're up to it.  Medium speed.
• Nice trails.  Waterfalls.  Old growth trees.  Occasional bald eagles and salmon sightings.
• Call me at 604-904-6554 if you'd like.

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.

More info about Vancouver 2010 Run With A Local can be found here.

Flash - Capilano Canyon Criss Cross

 What:

• A local runner showing off her house run - hoping Olympic visitors will join her
• slow run on a mix of residential roads and trails - about 60-75min
• experience the beauty of North Vancouver's trail system 
• run through Capilano Canyon
• visit a giant and very old Douglas fir
• enjoy river and mountain views from Cleveland Dam

Where:

• North Vancouver, BC Canada
• I'll start at my place. Please contact me for location.  There are several bus routes in the neighborhood if you are coming with public transit.

When:

• 19 February 2010 at 8:30am
• please note that I can be flexible with the starting time to accommodate you if you are taking transit

Entry:

• Entry: There is no fee and you don't need to be a member of Club Fat Ass to participate in a Flash event, however whining is not allowed. No registration is required but please indicate your participation via the comment form below. 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.

From Robson Street to Rice Lake with an Olympic Visitor

I spotted her and her husband on Robson wearing Asics, gazing at a map of Olympic events.

I asked if either would be interested in a trail run, and she said yes.

The next morning, I picked her up at their B&B and we drove to Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. I pointed out the nearby Capilano Filtration Plant with pride while quipping, “that’s where our lovely water was purified by UV rays -- isn’t that fascinating?”

Rice Lake trail broke the ice perfectly, a smooth reprieve from the unforgiving concrete of Robson.

“The forest is gorgeous,” she said, “and the brisk air invigorating.”

We headed over to Circuit 8 trail where some mud and roots sought some new company. Muddy Asics and 30 minutes later we reconnected to Rice Lake and returned to the car.

But just prior the sun appeared through the trees.

“Thank you, sun” we said, as our faces warmed.

“And thank you, Son,” said the smiling visitor from Texas, who just happened to be my dear sweet Mom, and who was basking in the glow of a her first trail run – 1 hour and 11 minutes we won’t soon forget.