Leslie Ann
By Andy Smith
Pauline
STARR racers hit the trails on Sunday at Perseverance Creek Trail Run in Cumberland and the MEC 10k at Elk Lake. The Perseverance Trail Run is an event held in Cumberland, BC organized by volunteers with the goal of raising funds for the Cumberland Community Forest Society (they have raised over $550,000 so far). 400 racers competed in 3k and 11K distances. Pauline Nielsen, Greg Balchin and Jonathan Dvorak represented STARR in the 11k Mountain Run against 295 competitors. The course is described as “a classic mountain run with steady climbs, flowing descents, technical single-track and breathtaking vistas… a very challenging course with technical terrain and steep sections”. Our trail racing threesome were in their element!
Costume fun in Cumberland
Greg said: “It was really fun. The volunteers dressed up in Halloween costumes and each checkpoint had a different theme. I ran past skeleton pirates sword fighting: ghouls ghouling around; even a coral fish swimming on top of a sea urchin while blowing a huge wall of bubbles we had to run through on a very fast downhill part of the run. I have to say about the downhill portion of the trail; OMG!!!, It’s a fast, downhill mountain bike trail, designed for speed. Large sweeping banked turns, lots of drops and jumps, lots of twists and turns, no murderous sudden uphill climbs…. just open up the throttle, place your life in the hands of god and GO!!!😁😁😁. What a rush!!! The Cumberland trail volunteers put on a great party afterwards, lots of food, tons of prizes” (Greg won another entrance certificate for the Cumby 24 k next summer!)
Greg
Greg finished 3rd in the M50-59 age group (despite being the oldest guy in the category) in a time of 1:11:36. Way-to-go Greg! Pauline finished 2nd in the F50-59 category in a time of 1:16:35 and Jonathan finished 5th in the M40-49 category in a time of 1:05:23. Overall winner Alexander Lee finished in a super quick 55:41 and top female was Gillian Clayton in an equally impressive time of 1:04:20.
Meanwhile at Elk Lake Leslie Ann Bent and Andy Smith were competing in the MEC 10k race. This was the final event of the MEC running series. Previous events were at Thetis Lake (Mar 31) and Royal Roads (May 26). The MEC races are fun, well organized events. Race entry is only $20 which includes parking, start bib, timing chip and post-race snacks. The third race in the series race attracted 600 participants to Elk Lake, competing over 5k/10k and 21k distances on the trails around the Lake. The bargain entry fee attracts a youthful crowd including a contingent from the local navy base. There were prizes for best costume which included raccoons, squirrels, zebras, superheroes and dinosaurs! The course is a fast undulating trail following the perimeter of Elk Lake. Great weather and a fun energetic vibe made this race a real treat. Leslie Ann and Andy ran the 10 k event against 316 competitors. Andy finished 2nd in the M55-59 category in a time of 44:16 and Leslie Ann finished 15th in the F50-55 category in a time of 1:28:53. The race was won by Chris Walsh in a time of 38:20. Top female was Fiona Benson. She gave the guys a lesson finishing 3rd overall in 40:32! Elk Lake is a great venue for a race with good facilities, great trails and ample parking. Definitely one we would do again! Congratulations to all the racers who ran on Sunday. Woohoo!