2005 - Year 3 - Capilano Canyon Mardigras Night Run

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A record number of night runners from as far away as California turned out this year to celebrate Mardi Gras on the trails of Capilano Canyon in North Vancouver.

The objective of the evening is to survive a 90 minute run in the dark before hitting the hot tub and kicking back for a celebratory party. Runners chose to race a very challenging 16K route or play it safe and do a slightly less "rustic" 13K circuit as a group. Neither route is marked, so this is not your average fun run.

Temperatures had cooled off a bit from the day, but were spot-on for running as we gathered in the parking lot of the Griffin Rec Center. After weeks of epic sunny weather, the trails were dry and fast.

This year saw a big spike in the number of first time night runners. Crew and well-wishers actually outnumbered those looking to tackle the nasty route, prompting the question, "Is it too tough?" Just about everyone ran with a friend and several with their dogs. Stephanie celebrated her birthday.

The jury is still out on who scared who more...the lone person in black who was out for a stroll, or the group of 10 loud night runners with headlamps barreling down the narrow Cap Pacific Trail? The black bears must have been frightened off, too, as there were no bear sightings this year.

While waiting to greet the runners at Aid Station Adams, a swarm of kids got juiced-up on smarties and had their own mini night run along the Capilano River. As runners made their way down the canyon, the kids blocked the trail and devised cruel challenges including "eat a cracker and say humuhumunukunukuapuahaha three times" and "What's the password to Gryffindor House" before allowing runners to pass.

The moon was almost full. In places, it's glow illuminated the trail well enough that many runners turned off their headlamps. No so Doug Mackay, who had his lamp on when he ran into a low-hanging tree branch and almost scalped himself.

A few folks got a bit lost, including our visitors from California and the extended Lepard family from West Van. Apparently equipped with instructions for both the group and competitive routes, they took the average of the 2 and went on a bonus tour of Pemberton Heights.

After a soak in the hot tub and a little action on the waterslide, the evening wrapped up with a potluck party that lasted till the wee hours of the morning.

Congrats to all!

Sibylle Tinsel and Ean Jackson
North Vancouver, BC

A scrapbook of photos from the Capilano Canyon Night Run - Mardi Gras 2005.