16 hour day + 100 km + 37/40 runners + 7 volunteers + at least 12 inches of rain = Haney to Harrison 2009
Interesting race fact: The Ultra Marathon was designated a 2009 ACU 100k National Championship and a total of 29 participants completed the Ultra Marathon this year. Darin Bentley of Surrey, BC came in first in the men’s division with a time of 7:49:37 and Denise McHale of Whitehorse, YK came in first in the women’s division with a time of 8:15:56.
This is only my 3rd H2H - and I can unequivocally state that it was the worst weather. I’ve heard from our veterans that it may not be the worst ever but it ranks in the top 5. It’s all part of the day.
So here is how our teams fared:
PRR CU L8ters 8:10:34
PRRedators 8:20:50
PRRfect Legs 8:27:23
PRRactically There 8:34:27
PRRaying for Sunshine 8:57:07
Every team had at least one member willing to run 2 legs - and 3 of the teams needed it. Bill had to drop out due to knee problems so Grant ran legs 2 & 3 for his team - just a regular weekend run for Grant.
Ed - who was the person willing to run the extra leg on his team - had to drop at the last minute with a cold. Stephen found out that morning that he was running 3 & 4. Yikes. Hey instead of running 15 - why don’t you run 29km? Won’t that be fun? What a good sport you are Stephen. Dave - who was running leg 2 in the second last step of his backwards progression (in his 6 previous H2Hes he has run in order 8,7,6,5,4,and 3) offered to run some of leg 3 but was secretly thrilled when Stephen said he’d do it all - because we all know how leg 3 starts. YUCK.
And then Ainslie was back east for a family emergency so her team substituted John on Leg 8. Hmmm 40 minute 10 km-er for a 60 minute 10 km-er. Gee why did that team win???
If you got cold running - imagine how our 7 volunteers felt. They were out in that weather for hours! Thank you to: Barb, Paul P, Judi, Bettie, Sally, Roger, Matthew and Dierdre for making it possible for our teams to compete. Thank you also to the runner-volunteers who helped out before or after their legs.
A good time was had by all - despite the bad weather. (Seriously - why isn’t this race in September?) And wasn’t it delightful that the sun came out just in time to blind us on our drive back to the Mission Leisure Centre.
Thanks to Jess for her splendid job organizing the after party. As a reward for her hard work - her table’s order was lost by the kitchen. When we were all ready to leave the restaurant they were still waiting for their food. Grrrrr.
Despite the weather, despite the long day, despite the logisitical issues (or maybe partly because of them) - this event is a highlight of our year. If you haven’t tried it - put it in your calendar for next year. And invest in warm waterproof clothing.
Welcome to our 2 newest members - Allison and Elliott. Anyone else want to join a running/social club? We meet at 6:00 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays at the False Creek Community Centre. We don’t have formal pace groups - but you’re likely to find people to run with if your speed is anywhere between 6-10 minute miles!
PRR welcomes our newest members - Lisa, Ainslie and Carol. Anyone else want to join a running/social club? You don’t have to be fast. You just need to be willing to run even if it’s raining (because let’s face it - November is just around the corner.) False Creek Community Center - Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 pm
This is one of PRR’s most popular participation events. We’ll enter 4 or 5 teams (which means we’ll need 4 or 5 dedicated volunteers.) For our new members, here’s how it works: there are 8 runners per team and legs range from 8 km flat to 14 km seriously unflat.
We try to balance our teams to finish together - mixing the speedy with the not-so-speedy. And while in theory we’re there to participate - we definitely compete. With each other. There’s trash talk. Bets. Dares. Pressure. Rain. Wind.
We get up at 4:30 am, crowd into cars with fellow club members, drive over an hour to Maple Ridge and see our Leg 1 runners off to the start. The we hop along the course - dropping off a runner and picking up the next one. Some of us help out at Exchange 3.
When the race ends we head to the community center in Mission to use the hot tub, water slide and showers. Then we go out for dinner - and no matter where we go we totally overwhelm the restaurant staff. The day ends around 18 hours after it began.
Sound like fun? It most certainly is.
So here’s where I’ll keep the list of people who’ve signed up. We need multiples of 8 and we’re currently at 38 - so we’re 2 people away from 5 full teams. AND we need one more volunteer for 5 teams.
Jess (captain)
Terry (captain)
Mike P(captain)
Karen (captain)
Nicki (5th captain if we need one)
Mike
Mark S
Dave M
Jackie
Monika
David Parker
Ed
Grant Fin
Dan C
Doug
Jack
Russell
Emily
John
Samantha
Ainslie
Bill D
Laura
Stephen P
Heather
Sarah
Lynne (maybe - schedule to be confirmed)
Ross
Arthur
Dean
Diana
Sukhi (willing to run an extra leg if we’re short team members.)
*Suzanne
*Elliott - but only if there’s room for both of them - which there will be with 5 teams
Victoria
Dan G
Carol (new member joining us soon!)
Lisa
The order of names listed here is not indicative of team composition!
Volunteers:
Bettie
Roger
Sally
Deirdre
#100!! Welcome to the club Sarah. Anyone else want to join a running/social club? Or should that be social/running club? Equal emphasis on both. We run from the False Creek Community Centre at 6:00 every Tuesday and Thursday. Come check us out.
Welcome to our two newest club members, Suzanne and David. Perhaps it was the last “new member” posting that emphasized our monthly socials, weekly socials and sometimes bi-weekly socials that drew them in…
…Regardless of the reason - we’re happy to have you along.
Anyone else interested in joining a running/social club? We meet at 5:55 Tuesdays and Thursdays at the False Creek Community Centre. You’re invited to run with us 2 or 3 times to see if we fit your idea of a running club. If you like us, join up.
A big PRR welcome to Mike - our 97th member. Anyone else want to join a running/social group? We run from False Creek Community Center every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 pm. We have an organized social every month and a spontaneous mini social most Tuesdays and many Thursdays. Come check us out!
UPDATE: our annual beach BBQ has been postponed due to weather. July 7 is now a regular club run. See you tonight at the community center. New BBQ date: July 14. Let Jess know if the change in dates changes your plans to attend.
Tues July 14 is the re-scheduled date for our annual beach BBQ. It is one of only 2 runs per year where WE DON’T MEET AT the community center. Check your email for more details - and make sure you RSVP. We’re buying the burgers - but if you don’t RSVP - there won’t be any food for you.
PRR welcomes Heather - our newest club member. We just keep growing! Should be a great turn out at our annual BBQ. Club members stay tuned. Details on our July social will be announced shortly.
Anyone else want to join our club? We meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:55 at the False Creek Community Center. Come for a run.
Welcome to Rick, Alex, Holly and Sam - our newest members. That takes us to 95 club members. We’re aiming for 100 by the end of the summer. Come join us for a Tuesday or Thursday run! (Be forewarned - any summer run in hot weather can easily turn into an “ice cream run”. Bring money and enjoy a gelato en route!)
Welcome Darryle - our newest club member. That’s 89 club members. 20 to 40 people show up on a typical run night - splitting into groups that run anywhere between 6 & 10 minute miles. If your pace is in that range - come out and join us. 5:55pm Tuesdays and Thursdays - False Creek Community Centre.
Welcome Chris and David - our newest members. Anyone else interested in running with a group? If you can run 10 km in 40 to 60 minutes, we have runners your speed. We meet at 5:55 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, False Creek Community Center. Plus we have an official social every month and an unofficial social most Tuesdays and many Thursdays.
And a special welcome to Allen T-H. We know he’s only a few days old but we’re sure he’ll become a member when he can!
Welcome to Ed - our newest member. Anyone else interested in running with a group? If you can run 10 km in 40 to 60 minutes, we have runners your speed although some of us prefer the social side of the club to the actual running. We meet at 5:55 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, False Creek Community Center.
Welcome Matthew, Stephen, Samantha and James, our newest members. Anyone else looking to join a running club that’s as focussed on social activities as it is on running? We meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:55 at the False Creek Community Center.
Welcome to Phil, Susanne, Ross and Janet - our newest members. And welcome back Leslie! Anyone else looking to join a social/running club? Come run with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:55 at the False Creek Community Center - rain or shine.
Welcome to Emma and Celia, our newest members - and welcome back Sam. Anyone else looking to join a social/running club? Come run with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:55 at the False Creek Community Center - rain or shine.
Welcome to Brendon, our newest member. Anyone else looking to join a social/running club? Come run with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:55 at the False Creek Community Center - rain or shine.
Well for starters the November weather didn’t disappoint. Legs 3,4,5 and half of 6 got the rain. Lucky us.
First the only PRR member on a non PRR team - Ellie. 1:02:43 on Leg 3 - and 54:11 on Leg 7 according to the official results. Misprint? or did she actually run the two hardest legs. Wouldn’t put it past her. Ellie’s team - the VFAC John’s Angels won the women’s open division and placed 9th overall. (Note: See Ellie’s comment for clarification.)
Now on to the club teams. Four teams. Several first timers in the event - Paul P, Carla, Russell, Cherryl, Paul B, Lynne, Dan G-D - anyone else?
PRR Speedos 8:11:48 and the bragging rights for this year
1 Dan C 54:53
2 Sukhi 1:03:30
3 Susan 1:06:40
4 Russell 56:14 (first in the rec division for this leg and 11th overall. And he wanted to run leg 1. NOT going to happen.)
5 Laura 1:07:38
6 Arthur 1:16:44
7 Dan G-D 1:04:50
8 Ian 41:19
Please Resuscitate Runner 8:26:20
1 Paul B 47:09
2 Jess 1:08:25
3 Bill 1:08:47
4 Doug 1:08:56
5 Carla 1:11:40
6 Emily 1:14:28
7 Grant 59:22
8 Lynne 47:36
Post Race wRecks 8:27:53
1 Crystal 56:21
2 Lan 1:17:53
3 Terry 1:06:10
4 John 1:03:09
5 Karen 1:01:30
6 Marco 1:02:15
7 Premica 1:06:31
8 Jack 54:08
No PRRessure 9:36:37 (thank god for the hour headstart or it would have been a huge gap at the finish!)
1 Paul P 1:13:06
2 Dianna 1:10:58
3 Dave 1:34:08
4 Dean 1:12:20
5 Cherryl 1:06:42
6 Nicki 1:19:27
7 Mike 1:10:51
8 Kathy 49:07
Plus a huge thanks to our volunteers: Barb D, Bettie, Rik and Sally.
Quotes from the event
Jack when he crossed the finish line: Still above ground! (Well done Jack. We’re all glad you’re still above ground.)
Cherryl (new to the event): I can’t believe all the competition within the club. (Um, that’s what we live for!)
Terry at dinner: Next year there should be two no pressure teams and I want to be on one. (ya, right)
Russell at dinner: It’s all no pressure until Susan gets you under her thumb. (Perhaps slightly paraphrased but the spirit of the quote is correct)
Dave at dinner: Here’s to never having to run Leg 3 again!
Photos
Bettie’s pics http://www.flickr.
Lan’s pics http://picasaweb.google.com/sam6135/H2H#
Please use the Leave a Reply form to add your personal favourite quotes. Trash talk. Plans for next year!!
Welcome to our newest members - Bill C & Kristi. Anyone else looking to join a social/running club? Come run with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:55 at the False Creek Community Center - rain or shine.
I know we’re still enjoying the last days of summer yet one simply can’t help longing for those torrential downpours of November. The darkness til 8:00 am. The 4:40 wake up call. The smell of manure (okay leg 5 only). The rainsoaked and sweaty runners in your car. Yes folks, H2H is coming.
The annual 100km relay from Haney to Harrison takes place Saturday November 8th. It’s a big event for the club with 30 or so PRR participants a year (3 teams of 8 plus volunteers) but this year we’re stepping it up. We’re going all out. We’re pulling together 4 teams. We’ve got soul but we’re not …
8 legs of roughly 8 to 15 km varying in hilliness and difficulty. Team captains get to decide who runs which leg. So either sign up to be a team captain - like Jess did - or find out who the team captains are and start buying them beer.
So far the following 32 people have signed up! That’s 4 teams. But as often happens - some people get injured or have date conflicts pop up. So a few spares would be a good thing.
We still need 1 additional volunteer. And don’t forget - each team will be expected to provide 1 “early” and 1 “late” volunteer from their 8 runners. These volunteers will help out at Exchange 3.
Runners:
Nicki
Grant
Laura - smelly Leg #5 please
Jackie M (Team Captain #3)
Dave M (didn’t actually email me but I’m sure he’ll be there - running leg 3!)
Lynne (if her schedule permits)
Terry
Karen
Jess (Team Captain #1)
Emily
Ian
Premica
Mike B
Dean
Diana
Susan
John (Team Captain #4)
Bill D
Marco
Dan C
Jack (leg 8)
Paul P
Sukhi (Team Captain #2)
Paul B
Dan G-D
Kathy
Carla (anything but 4 or 7)
Doug
Lan
Cheryl (leg 5 please!)
Crystal
Russell (leg 1 please!)
Note - final team and leg assignments probably won’t happen til early October!
Volunteers:
Spares:
Roger
Monika (for the no pressure team)
Arthur
Kris
Shi-Ling
Anyone interested in reviving the ”stay the night in Harrison” tradition?
For more information on the race - and descriptions of the various leg profiles/distances http://www.bcathletics.org/H2H/
To sign up use the Leave a Reply form below. (PRR Club Members only!)