recent events
Nov 8 - CIS XC Finals
Nov 9 - Last Chance Half
Nov 22 - Okotoks XC
A couple weekends ago the U of C Dinos Cross Country teams headed east to compete in the university national cross country finals in Quebec City. Last year the Dino women's team finished 2nd place overall in the country, behind the Guelph team, and this year they finished 3rd, but still beat all other western teams to retain the Canada West banner. Team Captain Heather Sim placed 8th overall, which earns her a spot in the 2nd All Canadian Team. The men's team finished 5th overall, but also returned with the Canada West banner. Rookie Nyial Majock finished 5th overall and fellow rookie Gavin Hamilton placed 8th.
This weekend some of these university cross country athletes will be headed to Guelph for the open national cross country championships. The under-19 junior women run a 5k cross country course Saturday at 10:30am, followed by the junior men (8k) at 12:45. The senior women run the 7k course at 1:30pm and the senior men run 10k at 2:15.
On November 9th 489 people completed the Last Chance Half Marathon, the last longer distance run in Calgary until the Airdrie Half or the Police Half in April. The two fastest men completed the course in under 1:20, with Darcy Bell winning in 1:15:45.6 and Graham Diehl in 1:17:44.5. The fastest women were Jenny Godley in 1:28:50.6 and Michelle Milot in 1:32:01.6.
Last weekend the Calgary Roadrunners Club hosted their 4th (of 10) 8k winter cross country races, this one in Okotoks. Ken Myers won the 8k in 30:22, followed by Andrew Carruthers in 31:00. The fastest women were Shari Boyle in 35:09, and Lindsay McLaren in 36:37. Ninety-nine runners completed the 8k course, and 27 ran the 4k course.
A note to the runners over 30: I hope you know there's an indoor track season coming up, and there is a masters category and even if you're not a lightning fast 15-year-old, there's room on the track and very little age-group competition. I wouldn't say it's for everyone, but if you run intervals already, if you think you can bust out a decent 3k track time and don't mind running in circles for 15 minutes or less, then give the Dino Opener a shot on December 6th. The entry fee is inexpensive, especially compared to 5k or 10k races, and it's warm inside the Jack Simpson.
There are a few holiday-themed races coming up. The Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis is a 5k and 10k run starting at the Red and White Club at U of C this Sunday. Online registration is $45 for adults and the race starts at 9am. Package pickup is Saturday at the Tech Shop downtown. The Santa Shuffle is December 6th is a 5k run to benefit the Salvation Army. Registration is $25 and the race starts at Eau Claire Market at 10:00am. On December 14, the Catch the Elves 10K Run is a benefit for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Registration is $35 if you register by November 30. The race is also at Eau Claire Market. The last of the holiday events is the Resolution Run, which is a 5k on December 31 at 6pm. This event is sold out.
The next Calgary Roadrunners 4k/8k Cross Country race is Saturday, December 13th at noon in Silver Springs. The entry fee is $10 for non-members, $7 for CRR members, $5 for students, and the 1k kids race is free. The race director is also collecting donations for the Kerby House senior centre.
coming up
Nov 29 - 2008 AGSI Canadian Cross Country Championships
Nov 30 - Jingle Bell Run
Dec 6 - Santa Shuffle
Dec 6 - Dino Opener
Dec 13 - Silver Springs XC
Dec 14 - Catch the Elves
Dec 31 - Resolution Run
Jan 3 - Dino Classic
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Moose Mountain, Dino Dash, Melissa's update
Loves them fall races! Remember to bring your gloves.
Moose Mountain, Sept 6
On Saturday the epic Moose Mountain Trail Races start at 9am for the 29k run up Moose Mountain and 11am for the 16k jaunt on Telephone Loop. These are awesome trail runs just west of Bragg Creek. Online registration is now closed, but you can register at package pickup on Thursday 4pm-7pm and Friday from 4pm-6pm at Gord's Running Store or an hour before each of the races. Entry fee is $45 and includes a lunch.
Dino Dash, Sept 7
If you want a nice flat 5k or 10k with wide open roads and chip timing, this is a great opportunity to run your guts out and accomplish a great personal best. I like running on the Bow River pathway system, but a wide open road closed to traffic gives you more wiggle room and makes the day seem more like an event. The race starts at 11am on Saturday, so expect some sun. Online registration closes today, $35 adult, $25 kids, but you can register at package pickup at Strides Running Store Friday from 4pm-8pm and Saturday from 9:30am-4pm.
Canmore Rocky Mountain Half, Sept 7
Online registration has closed, but you can register for the half, 5k or 10k at package pickup Sept 4 from 10am-7pm and Sept 5 from 10am-6pm at Gord's Running Store, or in Canmore at Lawrence Grassi Middle School on Saturday from 11am-7pm.
Melissa's Road Race, Sept 27
This is a landmark half marathon and 10k, which always sells out. Race entry is transferable though, and is allowed from Sept 17-21 only by email or fax. So, if you need to find someone to buy a bib from, or someone to sell it to, find a message board like the Classifieds page on the Calgary Roadrunners website and arrange something.
If you'd like to run the 10k for free, the Running Room is looking for pace bunnies for the 10k. Email Jacqui Allison at jallison@runningroom.com.
Harvest Half, Sept 27
If you're all trained up for a half marathon but you can't get into Melissa's, the Harvest Half has a nice tour through Fish Creek Park, and you can save $10 if you register on or before this Saturday. Plus, it's an hour closer to home, there's no Banff Park fee to pay, and you and 500 other new friends have a nice early 7:45 am start.
Moose Mountain, Sept 6
On Saturday the epic Moose Mountain Trail Races start at 9am for the 29k run up Moose Mountain and 11am for the 16k jaunt on Telephone Loop. These are awesome trail runs just west of Bragg Creek. Online registration is now closed, but you can register at package pickup on Thursday 4pm-7pm and Friday from 4pm-6pm at Gord's Running Store or an hour before each of the races. Entry fee is $45 and includes a lunch.
Dino Dash, Sept 7
If you want a nice flat 5k or 10k with wide open roads and chip timing, this is a great opportunity to run your guts out and accomplish a great personal best. I like running on the Bow River pathway system, but a wide open road closed to traffic gives you more wiggle room and makes the day seem more like an event. The race starts at 11am on Saturday, so expect some sun. Online registration closes today, $35 adult, $25 kids, but you can register at package pickup at Strides Running Store Friday from 4pm-8pm and Saturday from 9:30am-4pm.
Canmore Rocky Mountain Half, Sept 7
Online registration has closed, but you can register for the half, 5k or 10k at package pickup Sept 4 from 10am-7pm and Sept 5 from 10am-6pm at Gord's Running Store, or in Canmore at Lawrence Grassi Middle School on Saturday from 11am-7pm.
Melissa's Road Race, Sept 27
This is a landmark half marathon and 10k, which always sells out. Race entry is transferable though, and is allowed from Sept 17-21 only by email or fax. So, if you need to find someone to buy a bib from, or someone to sell it to, find a message board like the Classifieds page on the Calgary Roadrunners website and arrange something.
If you'd like to run the 10k for free, the Running Room is looking for pace bunnies for the 10k. Email Jacqui Allison at jallison@runningroom.com.
Harvest Half, Sept 27
If you're all trained up for a half marathon but you can't get into Melissa's, the Harvest Half has a nice tour through Fish Creek Park, and you can save $10 if you register on or before this Saturday. Plus, it's an hour closer to home, there's no Banff Park fee to pay, and you and 500 other new friends have a nice early 7:45 am start.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
August and Sept Races and Cancellations
August is a relatively quiet time for running in Calgary. There's a post-Calgary Marathon hangover, which is followed by some excitement about the end-of-summer and fall races. Melissa's, Moose Mountain, The Dino Dash, the Victoria Marathon. Fall is a nice time to run.
This weekend the high school track kids have their last meet of the season in Medicine Hat during the Alberta Summer Games. And there might be a few local masters track athletes going to Spokane this weekend for the USATF Masters Championships. The U of C Dinos are building up their endurance for the cross country season which starts in September and culminates in CIS Cross-Country Championship November 8 in Quebec City.
Race Cancellations
The Cross Calgary Relay and Ultramarathon was scheduled for August 16th, but it has been cancelled due to low registration. According to the website the organizers will be reworking the date and format for next year.
The Banff Ekiden relay has also been cancelled this year. From what I can tell this was an event put on by the Banff Centre and in the past couple years they've hired Magma Event Marketing to run the race, but this year it is canceled entirely. No idea about the future of the race.
The Canmore Challenge was scheduled for June, pushed back to September and now it is cancelled for this year. Hopefully it and the Ekiden will be back next year. Putting on a race takes a lot of time, dedication, money and volunteers to make it happen, so hopefully the absence of these races will cause some kind of outpouring of support for them next year.
Rock the House Run, Aug 17
If you have kids and those kids like dogs and you think you and your kids can run 5k (or 10k), this is the race for your family. The race starts and ends at Ronald McDonald House by the Children's Hospital, has live music, and after the races are done there was a SuperDogs show! More than any other race I've been to it had a festival atmosphere.
The Robert Hamilton Memorial Road Race, August 24
If not the oldest race in Calgary, this 5 Mile and 10 Mile event is one of the more competitive. Expect around 150 people to be at the early 8am starting line and the leaders to include some of the fastest people in Calgary who are looking for a good late-summer workout. This race also skews to the masters, so if you've been running for 20 or 30 years you'll feel right at home. Beginners are welcomed as well. The cost is low and the race perks are few. They also distribute running socks instead of t-shirts.
The Sheep River Road Race, Sept 1
Another long-standing race, this time in Okotoks, running along the pathway system by the river. The 10k route has a prettier out and back course along the river than the 5k route, which is more of a jaunt through the suburbs. The post-race awards and refreshments are in the school gym and lots of kids show up for this one so it has a good family atmosphere.
Moose Mountain, Sept 6
16k of hills and mud, or 29k of dirt roads, goat trails, steep climbs and the most incredible mid-race view of any race in the Calgary area. Around 100 people head out to Bragg Creek for a long run up a mountain and back. This is definitely an accomplishment.
Dino Dash, Sept 7
5k or 10k on a nice flat course on wide open roads. The race is chip-timed and finishes on the Foothills track with an announcer calling out your name. If there is any race that is setting you up for a personal best, this is it.
Canmore Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, Sept 7
A beautiful and hilly half marathon run through Canmore pathways and roadways. It's not an easy run, but the setting is amazing.
CSPG 10k, Sept 10
An evening 10k in the heart of the city. About 150 people will show up, including a bunch running the 10k in under 40 minutes. They have a 75 minute cut-off time and a post-race pizza party ...
Lost Soul Ultra, Sept 12
50k, 100k, or 160k! Part of the Alberta Ultra Series, and expecting more runners this year than usual.
Five Peaks, Canmore, Sept 13
The Five Peaks is a great trail running series, and this one will be awesome. This includes a 21k course, which will be hilly and really tough compared to a flat half marathon.
Bow River Run, Sept 14
Start and finish in Bowness Park, 5 and 10k, a little hilly, but it could be worse. The 10k is 2 loops. Nice environment to run in, close to the river.
Terry Fox Run, Sept 14
If the course hasn't changed it's not a great run so much as it's an awesome cause. The race is very open to participation, so expect dogs and kids on scooters and rollerbladers and baby chariots to clog the pathways for an hour. Don't expect a personal best 10k, just go to support a great event.
Melissa's, Sept 27
A classic race that is always sold out, and this year is no exception. 10k and 21k routes. This is the year I find out for myself what all the hype is about.
Harvest Half Marathon, Sept 27
A nice fall half marathon that has a few hilly roads and lots of lovely Fish Creek paths. Hundreds of people who aren't going to Banff will be running this one because the next half marathon isn't until November.
River Park Classic XC, Oct 5
The return of a classic cross country trail race that features two crossings of the Elbow River. You won't need a life jacket, but expect to get wet to the knees (or higher) a couple times.
Royal Victoria Marathon, Oct 12
The course, the volunteers, the organization ... this is considered one of the best races in western Canada.
Okanagan Marathon, Oct 12
If you are unable to get to Victoria ...
I'm sure I missed some, so let me know if I have. In this list there should be one of your favourites, or a new favourite. If there's a weekend with two races, run the Saturday one easy and go for the social atmosphere and run the Sunday one hard. Or run the Saturday one competitively and the Sunday one as a recovery run.
If you've never run any of these races, then volunteer for one and see what it's all about.
This weekend the high school track kids have their last meet of the season in Medicine Hat during the Alberta Summer Games. And there might be a few local masters track athletes going to Spokane this weekend for the USATF Masters Championships. The U of C Dinos are building up their endurance for the cross country season which starts in September and culminates in CIS Cross-Country Championship November 8 in Quebec City.
Race Cancellations
The Cross Calgary Relay and Ultramarathon was scheduled for August 16th, but it has been cancelled due to low registration. According to the website the organizers will be reworking the date and format for next year.
The Banff Ekiden relay has also been cancelled this year. From what I can tell this was an event put on by the Banff Centre and in the past couple years they've hired Magma Event Marketing to run the race, but this year it is canceled entirely. No idea about the future of the race.
The Canmore Challenge was scheduled for June, pushed back to September and now it is cancelled for this year. Hopefully it and the Ekiden will be back next year. Putting on a race takes a lot of time, dedication, money and volunteers to make it happen, so hopefully the absence of these races will cause some kind of outpouring of support for them next year.
Rock the House Run, Aug 17
If you have kids and those kids like dogs and you think you and your kids can run 5k (or 10k), this is the race for your family. The race starts and ends at Ronald McDonald House by the Children's Hospital, has live music, and after the races are done there was a SuperDogs show! More than any other race I've been to it had a festival atmosphere.
The Robert Hamilton Memorial Road Race, August 24
If not the oldest race in Calgary, this 5 Mile and 10 Mile event is one of the more competitive. Expect around 150 people to be at the early 8am starting line and the leaders to include some of the fastest people in Calgary who are looking for a good late-summer workout. This race also skews to the masters, so if you've been running for 20 or 30 years you'll feel right at home. Beginners are welcomed as well. The cost is low and the race perks are few. They also distribute running socks instead of t-shirts.
The Sheep River Road Race, Sept 1
Another long-standing race, this time in Okotoks, running along the pathway system by the river. The 10k route has a prettier out and back course along the river than the 5k route, which is more of a jaunt through the suburbs. The post-race awards and refreshments are in the school gym and lots of kids show up for this one so it has a good family atmosphere.
Moose Mountain, Sept 6
16k of hills and mud, or 29k of dirt roads, goat trails, steep climbs and the most incredible mid-race view of any race in the Calgary area. Around 100 people head out to Bragg Creek for a long run up a mountain and back. This is definitely an accomplishment.
Dino Dash, Sept 7
5k or 10k on a nice flat course on wide open roads. The race is chip-timed and finishes on the Foothills track with an announcer calling out your name. If there is any race that is setting you up for a personal best, this is it.
Canmore Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, Sept 7
A beautiful and hilly half marathon run through Canmore pathways and roadways. It's not an easy run, but the setting is amazing.
CSPG 10k, Sept 10
An evening 10k in the heart of the city. About 150 people will show up, including a bunch running the 10k in under 40 minutes. They have a 75 minute cut-off time and a post-race pizza party ...
Lost Soul Ultra, Sept 12
50k, 100k, or 160k! Part of the Alberta Ultra Series, and expecting more runners this year than usual.
Five Peaks, Canmore, Sept 13
The Five Peaks is a great trail running series, and this one will be awesome. This includes a 21k course, which will be hilly and really tough compared to a flat half marathon.
Bow River Run, Sept 14
Start and finish in Bowness Park, 5 and 10k, a little hilly, but it could be worse. The 10k is 2 loops. Nice environment to run in, close to the river.
Terry Fox Run, Sept 14
If the course hasn't changed it's not a great run so much as it's an awesome cause. The race is very open to participation, so expect dogs and kids on scooters and rollerbladers and baby chariots to clog the pathways for an hour. Don't expect a personal best 10k, just go to support a great event.
Melissa's, Sept 27
A classic race that is always sold out, and this year is no exception. 10k and 21k routes. This is the year I find out for myself what all the hype is about.
Harvest Half Marathon, Sept 27
A nice fall half marathon that has a few hilly roads and lots of lovely Fish Creek paths. Hundreds of people who aren't going to Banff will be running this one because the next half marathon isn't until November.
River Park Classic XC, Oct 5
The return of a classic cross country trail race that features two crossings of the Elbow River. You won't need a life jacket, but expect to get wet to the knees (or higher) a couple times.
Royal Victoria Marathon, Oct 12
The course, the volunteers, the organization ... this is considered one of the best races in western Canada.
Okanagan Marathon, Oct 12
If you are unable to get to Victoria ...
I'm sure I missed some, so let me know if I have. In this list there should be one of your favourites, or a new favourite. If there's a weekend with two races, run the Saturday one easy and go for the social atmosphere and run the Sunday one hard. Or run the Saturday one competitively and the Sunday one as a recovery run.
If you've never run any of these races, then volunteer for one and see what it's all about.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Five Peaks Sundre, Bragg Creek Days Fun Run, Open Minds 10k
This weekend there are three smaller races to run in the Calgary area. We won't see anything on an epic scale like the the Calgary Marathon until Melissa's Half in September.
Five Peaks, Sundre, Saturday, July 19
Probably the toughest and most scenic run will be the Five Peaks in Sundre, which is a hilly cross-country series, and this instance is about an hour northwest of Calgary. Registration is still available.
Open Minds Walk & Run 10k, Saturday, July 19
About 200 people should line up for a 5 or 10k in Edworthy Park, which probably means a nice run along the river on the pathways. Registration is still available, package pickup is today at Eau Claire Running Room from 4pm-8pm.
Bragg Creek Days Fun Run 10k, Sunday, July 20
This will be the smallest race of the weekend, but there's nothing else on Sunday and Bragg Creek is such a nice place to visit. Despite the intention of the race to raise money for building more trails in the hills, this should be a flat, pretty course.
The following weekend has nothing nearby. There's a half marathon in Wainwright though.
The next biggest thing is in Invermere, BC, with their Loop the Lake ultramarathon / marathon / half / relay, August 9. The ING Edmonton Marathon is August 16, the same day as the Cross Calgary Ultra. August 17th has the 2nd running of the 10k/5k Rock the House Run, which is a flat loop starting at the Children's Hospital. And the last race in August is the Robert Hamilton Memorial Road Race on August 24. It's a 5 Mile and 10 Mile, or approximately 8k and 16k, and should get about 200 people.
Last year the Rock the House Run had lots of fun stuff for kids, including a stage where bands played, a few demonstration races by the SuperDogs, and I think there was an inflatable bounce room. This year they're expecting more kids, more fun, and more people.
After the spring and summer marathons, there is a lull while people are going to start building their base of long runs in preparation for fall cross country and marathon season. It's a good time to get in on some of the free group runs around the city. There's a good list of them at the Calgary Roadrunners Learn to Run Blog.
Five Peaks, Sundre, Saturday, July 19
Probably the toughest and most scenic run will be the Five Peaks in Sundre, which is a hilly cross-country series, and this instance is about an hour northwest of Calgary. Registration is still available.
Open Minds Walk & Run 10k, Saturday, July 19
About 200 people should line up for a 5 or 10k in Edworthy Park, which probably means a nice run along the river on the pathways. Registration is still available, package pickup is today at Eau Claire Running Room from 4pm-8pm.
Bragg Creek Days Fun Run 10k, Sunday, July 20
This will be the smallest race of the weekend, but there's nothing else on Sunday and Bragg Creek is such a nice place to visit. Despite the intention of the race to raise money for building more trails in the hills, this should be a flat, pretty course.
The following weekend has nothing nearby. There's a half marathon in Wainwright though.
The next biggest thing is in Invermere, BC, with their Loop the Lake ultramarathon / marathon / half / relay, August 9. The ING Edmonton Marathon is August 16, the same day as the Cross Calgary Ultra. August 17th has the 2nd running of the 10k/5k Rock the House Run, which is a flat loop starting at the Children's Hospital. And the last race in August is the Robert Hamilton Memorial Road Race on August 24. It's a 5 Mile and 10 Mile, or approximately 8k and 16k, and should get about 200 people.
Last year the Rock the House Run had lots of fun stuff for kids, including a stage where bands played, a few demonstration races by the SuperDogs, and I think there was an inflatable bounce room. This year they're expecting more kids, more fun, and more people.
After the spring and summer marathons, there is a lull while people are going to start building their base of long runs in preparation for fall cross country and marathon season. It's a good time to get in on some of the free group runs around the city. There's a good list of them at the Calgary Roadrunners Learn to Run Blog.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
SAIT Trojans XC Coach Position
SAIT Trojans
SAIT Trojans cross-country coach Stephen Ames is looking for his replacement for this fall's season. I imagine it's because of his continuing commitment to the Calgary Spartans track & field club. I don't know what the qualifications are, but I imagine some coaching experience would be necessary. This doesn't look like a full-time job, and it might only be for this first semester since I don't think they have an indoor track team. But I really don't know. Stephen would know, and you can email him at d-coach@telus.net
SAIT Trojans cross-country coach Stephen Ames is looking for his replacement for this fall's season. I imagine it's because of his continuing commitment to the Calgary Spartans track & field club. I don't know what the qualifications are, but I imagine some coaching experience would be necessary. This doesn't look like a full-time job, and it might only be for this first semester since I don't think they have an indoor track team. But I really don't know. Stephen would know, and you can email him at d-coach@telus.net
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Outdoor Track, Five Peaks Starts Now, Mother's Day 10k
Tonight at Foothills Track, U of C
Weather permitting, there's an entertaining night of high school track this evening at the Foothills Track. This is the second half of the Dino High School Challenge, and a bunch of meet records were re-set on Thursday, May 1. There's 800 competitors lining up tonight to set some more records. The show starts at 5pm with an hour of hurdles and pole vaulting. Unlike the indoor track events in the winter there's a grandstand for seating and a wild noisy atmosphere.
At approximately 5:50 the 800 meter heats start, and at 7pm the 200 meter dash. The 3000m is set for around 8pm, with the last event, the boys 15 and under 3k starting at 9:10. While the running events are going on the track, on the field the pole vault starts at 5, along with the high jump, triple jump, shot put, discus and javelin. Hopefully the announcer will keep your eyes on the events that are reaching their critical points. That final jump. That third throw. There are no qualifying heats for each events, so every race is that kid's one shot at a medal, a provincial record, or a personal best.
There's a complete list of events on the Dino High School Challenge event page, and a list of competitors on the Entry List page. It's hard to tell from the entry list who the club kids are, but they're the ones training 4 or more times a week with the Spartans, the Calgary International, CalTAF, the Warriors, UCAC, etc., and they're the ones with the most reasonable shot at winning an event. If someone without a club affiliation places well in their event, you might see a club coach or two cruise by afterwards with some "congratulations" and invitations.
At around 8:20, Grace Kary is running the 3000m, and 15 minutes later Ciara Kary is running the same distance. In each race their might be a Mikaela Hannam who challenges the lead, but it also might be like the fall cross country series where Grace and Ciara led their races from the start and held on for a clear win. They'll be in orange ABE shirts. At 6:15 watch Mihai Prajea in the 800m, and again in the 200 m at 7:25. Gareth Hadfield is running the 800 at 6:40 and the 3000m at 9:10pm.
Five Peaks Sunridge, May 10
On Saturday the first Five Peaks trail race gets started near Sherwood Park, near Edmonton. This is a great 14k or 7k hilly course and a great alternative to running on sidewalks and pathways. Adjust your expectations if you've run a few good 10k times, because the difficulty of the terrain will set you back more than a few minutes. The race starts at 10am, and registration is still available for this and most of the races.
Mother's Day Run & Walk, May 11
Aside from the Calgary Marathon, this is probably the next biggest race in Calgary. There's a 5k and 10k and $1000 for first place, so expect the city's best road racers to show up for this one. Jeremy Deere is back to defend his long-standing reign as first on the podium, while Nathan Kendrick and Darcy Bell have a reasonable chance of upsetting. I'd also look at the guys who won the recent Calgary Police Half as solid contenders for this one. If Ciara Kary is running the 5k I'd put her down for a medal.
Results
Apr 20 - Tour de Airdrie, results
The third annual half marathon in Airdrie was won by Cochrane triathlete Joel Wilkinson in 1:33:40 for the men and Cheryl Melody in 1:40:26 for the women. Despite blowing snow and reduced visibility. Around 200 people made it out and finished the half marathon, 10k and 5k courses. Now if they could only change their name so it doesn't sound like a bike event.
Apr 26 - Rocky Mountain Soap Women's Run 5k/12k, results
Almost 600 women were in Canmore for the 11k and 5.5 women's only courses, which is a great turnout for a debut race. Doesn't hurt that you're running in Canmore, which is a great running environment. If you don't have the Canmore Challenge or the Canmore Rocky Mountain Half Marathon on your list, then you should add this one in for next year. The 11k was won in 45:27 by elite Toronto marathoner Nicole Stevenson, followed by competitive nordic skiier Magi Scallion in 47:30 and Lynette Van Damme in 50:36.
Apr 27 - Calgary Police Half, results
The Calgary Police Half had almost perfect weather and no wind for once. 1900 people finished the half marathon, won by Scott Jensen in 1:13:56, followed by Graham Diehl in 1:15:10 and Travis Cummings in 1:15:50. The first female was Shari Boyle in 1:22:07, followed by Danelle Kabush in 1:25:44 and Erin Sask in 1:30:00. No results were kept for the 500 people who ran the 5k.
May 1 - Dino High School Challenge, results
If you're going to the second part of the Dino High School Challenge thie evening, you should pick through the results page from last Thursday, find the kids who ranked in their events, and watch them again tonight. Those are the front runners. Then look at tonight's entry list and pick out the kids from your high school and cheer them on. Bust out that old orange Centennial jacket you bought in 1990. It could be awesome.
Several meet records were set last Thursday : Danielle Kendall in the Girls 16 & under 400 m ran 59.07. Aviva Mulloy in the Girls 16 & Under High Jump tied Tara Dressler's 1.50 m. Nicki Barlow in the Girls 18 & Under 400m ran 59.69. Nikki Meyer in the Girls 18 & Under Long Jump posted 4.95m. Alex Fox in the Girls 18 & Under Discus Throw measured a 33.21m. Ryan Wilkes ran 11.61 in the Boys 15 & Under 100 m. Brandon Schmidt threw a Javelin 47.41m in the Boys 15 & Under category. Michael Barrett reached 3.60m in the Boys 16 & Under pole vault. Joel Dueck threw the javelin 50.70 for the Boys 16& Under record. Joel Mills reached 3.40m in the Boys 18 & Under pole vault.
And most are back for more. Daniell Kendall is running the 200m tonight at 7:15. Aviva Mulloy is trying the triple jump at 6:30. Nicki Barlow is running the 800m at 5:50. Nikki Meyer is in the triple jump at 6:30 and the 80 meter hurdles at 5:30. Alex Fox is shot putting at 7:30, and javelinning at 6:30. Ryan Wilkes is in the 200m at 8:00pm. Brandon Schmidt is in the triple jump at 7:00pm. Michael Barrett is triple jumping at 5:00pm. Joel Mills is high jumping at 7:30.
May 3 - Big Run Theatre Calgary, results
This was a great morning for a run, and nice to get out on another part of the Bow pathway, with three race distances starting in Bowness Park. It was a tough and hilly course though, and the 10k route and half marathon both had to negotiate the Silver Springs hills. The half marathon was won by Anton Nel in 1:24:11, followed by Pauline McLean in 1:25:14. The 10k was won by Mike Mokievsky-Zubok in 43:36 and Julie Kemp in 44:51 won the women's event. The 5k was won by 60-something-year-old Barrie Dargie in 19:16, while the first female was Rachelle Dion in 24:20. This race replaces the Banff Calgary Relay Race that previously served as a long-standing, well-loved fundraiser for Theatre Calgary.
Coming Up, some local and national events
May 7 - Dino High School Challenge, 5pm-8:30pm, Foothills
May 10 - Five Peaks, Sunridge
May 11 - Mothers Day 10k
May 17 -18 Calgary Spring Challenge track
May 18 - Woody's RV Marathon, Red Deer
May 24 - Five Peaks COP
May 24 - Blackfoot Ultra
May 24 - Foothills Academy Walk Rock and Roll
May 24 - HS City Championships
May 25 - New Balance series 1 track meet
May 25 - Calgary Women's Run
May 25 - Ottawa Marathon
May 24 - Blackfoot Ultra
May 31 - pacekids Race for Pace, 5k/10k
Friday, April 25, 2008
If you have 10 seconds on Saturday ...
Dino Indoor Challenge, April 26
This is the last indoor track meet at the Jack Simpson until the fall. There are not a lot of college or masters athletes competing this weekend, but there are a few notable exceptions. There's a full performance list at the link below, but I'll point out a couple of the highlights. Maybe you can stop by for an event on your way to picking up your race package for the Police Half.
www.uofcathletics.ca/perf_list_dic_08.htm
The morning starts off with a pretty competitive bunch of races, the men's and women's 16+ 60 metres, which are exciting to watch. After that at 10:15 you can watch Calgary Roadrunners masters sprinter Betty Dargie, who is 65, run a 60 metre sprint against 72 year old Mary McCarron-Egner. Dargie ran the 60m in 9.71 in Edmonton a buncha weeks back, so she'll probably be under 10 seconds again. Following that race is the men's masters 60m, with Brian Harries, Christopher Coy, Eugene Yuen and Earle Connor, and the oldest one in that group is merely 52.
So, that's about 5 minutes of your morning, but if you're picking up your race package in the afternoon Donna Dixon is running the 600m at 1:10pm. The times for these races are somewhat flexible, so you'll want to get there a little early and watch some of the other races. Especially if you've never done it before. There will be hundreds of elementary, junior and senior high school kids all freaked out and ready to explode and that's fun to be around.
If you haven't got a bib for the Calgary Police Half, it's too late for the half, but there are 100 5k bibs you can pick up at package pickup at the Tech Shop. I know, it's not the same, but it will still be fun. Or why not register for the 5k, run the half, and get the worst 5k time ever! That sounds like fun. Or volunteer. Volunteers are still needed to keep the hordes on the right path.
www.calgarypolicehalf.ca
See ya out there.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Europe, Glencoe, St. Patrick's Day, Roger Davies
Since some of the Calgarian athletes I've been in contact with have been traveling around a bit I thought I'd expand my horizons a bit in the Calgary Road and Track Report.
Boston Marathon
We'll start with world headlines, and the 112th running of the Boston Marathon, which is on Monday April 21. I'm sure a lot of local runners are heading there for the weekend. This is merely the longest running, most competitive, highly anticipated marathon of the year. In the world. And you can watch it live on Versus.
St. Patrick's Day
On March 16th there were two St. Patrick's Day runs in this city, but the one I went to was the "original" one that starts at the Red & White Club by Foothills Track. 623 people finished the 5 or 10k course in snowy and windy conditions. The winner of the 10k was Matthew Norminton from Edmonton in a time of 32:57, followed by Nathan Kendrick in 33:32 and Elmostafa Asnam in 33:43. The first three women in the 10k were Lindsay McLaren (38:37), Kari Elliot (40:15) and Janice Patterson (41:44). The 5k was won by Stephen Machowski in 20:34, followed by Matt Hall in 21:03 and Nicolas Wang in 21:52. The female 5k winner was grade 10 student Ciara Kary in 20:38, followed by Grace Kary in 21:14 and Orlagh O'Kelly in 22:18.
Glencoe Icebreaker
The next 10k was the sold out Glencoe Icebreaker on April 6. 492 people finished this race, which was won by Jeremy Deere in 32:21, followed by Like Way in 33:52 and Paul McCloy in 33:56. (McCloy ran 35:35 at St. Patrick's Day and finished 5th.) A couple of rookie Dino Track & Field athletes medalled for the women's 10k. Jessica O'Connell was first in 36:57, and Faye Stenning was third in 39:21. In secod was triathlete Rosemarie Gerspacher in 38:28. O'Connell says she runs only one road 10k each year, and last year she had the same time exactly. Gerspacher was second last year as well.
Spring Trio
On April 13th about 200 people showed up to run the Spring Trio, which was one of 3 distances along the Bow River Pathway. The 5k was won by Jan Pedder in 18:10, followed by Doug Owen (18:23) and Fraser Mills Connery (18:48). The 5k female winner was Ciara Kary in 19:00, followed by Grace Kary in 19:45 and Kari Elliot in 20:26. The 10k was won by Ken Myers in 33:49, who outkicked Graham Diehl (33:55) and Ryan Murray (36:25). Diehl was leading most of the race until the final push to the finish. Jannelle Morrison won the women's 10k in 38:29, followed by Nik Vogler (40:42) and Louise Taylor (43:57). The 15k distance was won by Simon Massey in 57:28, second was Geoff Badger in 58:52, and Phil Ukrainetz was the only other person under an hour in 59:43. The first female in the 15k was Janice Patterson (1:04:56), followed by Nancy Alingsangan in 1:06:23 and Ann Van Damme in 1:10:42.
Ski 2 Sea Relay
On April 6th Ken Myers was in Kelowna for his leg of the Sea 2 Ski Relay, which is an interesting team relay race. The first person to start is on a ski hill (Big White) on downhill skis. The second leg is a cross country skiier, followed by a mountain biker, and a road cyclist. Then runners like Ken Myers had a 14.5 k run to hand off to a kayaker who finishes the course in Okanagan Lake. Myers and his team finished second overall in 2 hours, 59 minutes and 13 seconds, exactly 4 minutes back of the leaders. There was also an opportunity for a half dozen people to work the course on their own, and the first one to complete it did it in 4:22:44.
Edinburgh, Scotland
On March 30 three local runners were in Scotland for the World Cross Country Championships. Calgary Spartan (and now first year student at Dalhousie University) Peter Corrigan was competing in the Junior Men 8k. He qualified for this race by placing in the top 6 at the Canadian Cross Country Championships in December in Guelph. The overall winner was Ibrahim Jeilan of Ethiopia in 22:38, and Corrigan placed 66th in 25:27. Representing the Calgary Track & Field Club was grade 12 student Nyial Majock, who placed 60th with a time of 25:19. In the senior women's race Calgary Spartan Lisa Harvey placed 77th with a time of 29:00. First place went to Tirunesh Dibaba in 25:10.
France!
A week later the World University Cross Country Championships were held in Mauquenchy, France. Peter Corrigan qualified for this race at the CIS Nationals in Victoria in November. The overall winner of the men's race was Najim Elqady of Morocco in 36:14, while Corrigan was 64th in a time of 40:01. Also from Calgary was 4th year Dino Heather Sim who placed 46th with a time of 25:07, a couple minutes back of Faye Fullerton of the UK who finished in 22:36.
Athlete of the Week
This Friday, CTV news has a local septagenarian distance runner as their Athlete of the Week. Roger Davies says he will be on around 6:50 on Friday. Awesome.
This Weekend's Races
There are two races this weekend, and one stairclimbing fundraiser. The Lethbridge Kodiak 10-4-2 should be a pretty competitive race, and the Tour de Airdrie half marathon in Airdrie is the opposite. The Airdrie race also has a 10k and 5k distance, and I think it's their third year and they're not attracting a huge crowd yet. It should be worth checking out though.
Climb for Wilderness
On Saturday is the Climb for Wilderness, which has a bunch of different ways to participate. The cool factor is you're allowed inside the stairwell of the Calgary Tower. The bummer is you have to climb up it. The crazy thing is some people pay $100 for the privilege of climbing up it multiple times. Plus, there's a race version, which happens at 8am. A group of runners runs 1k and heads up the stairs and the first one to the top wins. I imagine they have the 1k loop just to thin the crowd out a bit before they hit the doorway all at once.
Two Weeks from Now
The following weekend has two great events. The Rocky Mountain Soap Women's Run is great because any time you can run in Canmore or Banff it's memorable, and the always sold-out Calgary Police Half is on Sunday, April 27. Even though it's sold out you can still buy a number off someone via the Calgary Roadrunners website. There's about 20 people who have since been forced out of the race.
Apr 19 - Climb for Wilderness, 1k run + climb, or climb as many times as you can in 5hrs [200]
Apr 19 - Lethbridge Kodiak 10 Mile, 4 Mile or 2 Mile [400]
Apr 20 - Tour de Airdrie half marathon 5k 10k half [400]
Apr 26 - Rocky Mountain Soap Women's Run 5k/12k, Canmore [300]
Apr 27 - Calgary Police Half [2500]
May 1 - Dino High School Challenge, 5pm-8:30pm, Foothills
May 3 - Big Run Theatre Calgary 5k/10k/21k
May 7 - Dino High School Challenge, 5pm-8:30pm, Foothills
May 11 - Mothers Day 10k
May 17 -18 Calgary Spring Challenge track
May 24 - Five Peaks COP
May 24 - Foothills Academy Walk Rock and Roll
May 24 - HS City Championships
May 25 - New Balance series 1 track meet
May 25 - Calgary Women's Run
May 31- pacekids Race for Pace, 5k/10k
Boston Marathon
We'll start with world headlines, and the 112th running of the Boston Marathon, which is on Monday April 21. I'm sure a lot of local runners are heading there for the weekend. This is merely the longest running, most competitive, highly anticipated marathon of the year. In the world. And you can watch it live on Versus.
St. Patrick's Day
On March 16th there were two St. Patrick's Day runs in this city, but the one I went to was the "original" one that starts at the Red & White Club by Foothills Track. 623 people finished the 5 or 10k course in snowy and windy conditions. The winner of the 10k was Matthew Norminton from Edmonton in a time of 32:57, followed by Nathan Kendrick in 33:32 and Elmostafa Asnam in 33:43. The first three women in the 10k were Lindsay McLaren (38:37), Kari Elliot (40:15) and Janice Patterson (41:44). The 5k was won by Stephen Machowski in 20:34, followed by Matt Hall in 21:03 and Nicolas Wang in 21:52. The female 5k winner was grade 10 student Ciara Kary in 20:38, followed by Grace Kary in 21:14 and Orlagh O'Kelly in 22:18.
Glencoe Icebreaker
The next 10k was the sold out Glencoe Icebreaker on April 6. 492 people finished this race, which was won by Jeremy Deere in 32:21, followed by Like Way in 33:52 and Paul McCloy in 33:56. (McCloy ran 35:35 at St. Patrick's Day and finished 5th.) A couple of rookie Dino Track & Field athletes medalled for the women's 10k. Jessica O'Connell was first in 36:57, and Faye Stenning was third in 39:21. In secod was triathlete Rosemarie Gerspacher in 38:28. O'Connell says she runs only one road 10k each year, and last year she had the same time exactly. Gerspacher was second last year as well.
Spring Trio
On April 13th about 200 people showed up to run the Spring Trio, which was one of 3 distances along the Bow River Pathway. The 5k was won by Jan Pedder in 18:10, followed by Doug Owen (18:23) and Fraser Mills Connery (18:48). The 5k female winner was Ciara Kary in 19:00, followed by Grace Kary in 19:45 and Kari Elliot in 20:26. The 10k was won by Ken Myers in 33:49, who outkicked Graham Diehl (33:55) and Ryan Murray (36:25). Diehl was leading most of the race until the final push to the finish. Jannelle Morrison won the women's 10k in 38:29, followed by Nik Vogler (40:42) and Louise Taylor (43:57). The 15k distance was won by Simon Massey in 57:28, second was Geoff Badger in 58:52, and Phil Ukrainetz was the only other person under an hour in 59:43. The first female in the 15k was Janice Patterson (1:04:56), followed by Nancy Alingsangan in 1:06:23 and Ann Van Damme in 1:10:42.
Ski 2 Sea Relay
On April 6th Ken Myers was in Kelowna for his leg of the Sea 2 Ski Relay, which is an interesting team relay race. The first person to start is on a ski hill (Big White) on downhill skis. The second leg is a cross country skiier, followed by a mountain biker, and a road cyclist. Then runners like Ken Myers had a 14.5 k run to hand off to a kayaker who finishes the course in Okanagan Lake. Myers and his team finished second overall in 2 hours, 59 minutes and 13 seconds, exactly 4 minutes back of the leaders. There was also an opportunity for a half dozen people to work the course on their own, and the first one to complete it did it in 4:22:44.
Edinburgh, Scotland
On March 30 three local runners were in Scotland for the World Cross Country Championships. Calgary Spartan (and now first year student at Dalhousie University) Peter Corrigan was competing in the Junior Men 8k. He qualified for this race by placing in the top 6 at the Canadian Cross Country Championships in December in Guelph. The overall winner was Ibrahim Jeilan of Ethiopia in 22:38, and Corrigan placed 66th in 25:27. Representing the Calgary Track & Field Club was grade 12 student Nyial Majock, who placed 60th with a time of 25:19. In the senior women's race Calgary Spartan Lisa Harvey placed 77th with a time of 29:00. First place went to Tirunesh Dibaba in 25:10.
France!
A week later the World University Cross Country Championships were held in Mauquenchy, France. Peter Corrigan qualified for this race at the CIS Nationals in Victoria in November. The overall winner of the men's race was Najim Elqady of Morocco in 36:14, while Corrigan was 64th in a time of 40:01. Also from Calgary was 4th year Dino Heather Sim who placed 46th with a time of 25:07, a couple minutes back of Faye Fullerton of the UK who finished in 22:36.
Athlete of the Week
This Friday, CTV news has a local septagenarian distance runner as their Athlete of the Week. Roger Davies says he will be on around 6:50 on Friday. Awesome.
This Weekend's Races
There are two races this weekend, and one stairclimbing fundraiser. The Lethbridge Kodiak 10-4-2 should be a pretty competitive race, and the Tour de Airdrie half marathon in Airdrie is the opposite. The Airdrie race also has a 10k and 5k distance, and I think it's their third year and they're not attracting a huge crowd yet. It should be worth checking out though.
Climb for Wilderness
On Saturday is the Climb for Wilderness, which has a bunch of different ways to participate. The cool factor is you're allowed inside the stairwell of the Calgary Tower. The bummer is you have to climb up it. The crazy thing is some people pay $100 for the privilege of climbing up it multiple times. Plus, there's a race version, which happens at 8am. A group of runners runs 1k and heads up the stairs and the first one to the top wins. I imagine they have the 1k loop just to thin the crowd out a bit before they hit the doorway all at once.
Two Weeks from Now
The following weekend has two great events. The Rocky Mountain Soap Women's Run is great because any time you can run in Canmore or Banff it's memorable, and the always sold-out Calgary Police Half is on Sunday, April 27. Even though it's sold out you can still buy a number off someone via the Calgary Roadrunners website. There's about 20 people who have since been forced out of the race.
Apr 19 - Climb for Wilderness, 1k run + climb, or climb as many times as you can in 5hrs [200]
Apr 19 - Lethbridge Kodiak 10 Mile, 4 Mile or 2 Mile [400]
Apr 20 - Tour de Airdrie half marathon 5k 10k half [400]
Apr 26 - Rocky Mountain Soap Women's Run 5k/12k, Canmore [300]
Apr 27 - Calgary Police Half [2500]
May 1 - Dino High School Challenge, 5pm-8:30pm, Foothills
May 3 - Big Run Theatre Calgary 5k/10k/21k
May 7 - Dino High School Challenge, 5pm-8:30pm, Foothills
May 11 - Mothers Day 10k
May 17 -18 Calgary Spring Challenge track
May 24 - Five Peaks COP
May 24 - Foothills Academy Walk Rock and Roll
May 24 - HS City Championships
May 25 - New Balance series 1 track meet
May 25 - Calgary Women's Run
May 31- pacekids Race for Pace, 5k/10k
Saturday, March 15, 2008
CIS, Fish Creek, St. Patrick's Day
The nation's best college track and field athletes met in Montreal last weekend for the 2008 CIS Track and Field Championships. The U of C Dinos had a good showing, finishing second overall as a team for the men and 4th for the women. Individually, Amonn Nelson was first in the 300m in 38.23, Holly Ratzlaff was first in the 600m with 1:30. 21, Sam Effah was first in the 300m in 34.23 and first in the 300m in 34.23. Trent Ratzlaff was first in the 600m in 1:18.61.
On Saturday the Calgary Roadrunners hosted the last trail race of the winter season, with an 8.8km hilly, icy and technical course in Fish Creek Park. The men's winner was Andrew Carruthers in 36:25 and the women's winner was Shari Boyle in 42:08.
Upcoming Races
On March 16th at 10am the Calgary Roadrunners and Strides Running Store present the St. Patrick's Day Run, which is a 5k and 10k race that starts the Athletics Alberta Timex series. The premise is that Athletics Alberta, the governing body in this province for road and track races, selects 10 races around Alberta, like the Dino Dash 10k and the St. Albert 10 Mile and if you pre-register with Athletics Alberta for the series you collect points in your age group, redeemable at the end of the season for swanky prizes. More information on that is at: http://www.athleticsalberta.com/main/index.php?TimexSeries It starts with the St. Patrick's Day 10k and ends with Melissa's Road Race 10k in Banff in September.
There is also a competing St. Patrick's Day race, put on by the Running Room. Same day, slightly earlier start at 9am, runs on the Bow River pathways instead of the roads. All the Running Clinics of the past couple months have been gearing up for this one.
As far as I know, that's it for March. The next big race is the Glencoe Icebreaker, a 10k road race April 6 that usually sells out and a lot of competitive people show up for it. Probably the biggest early spring races are the St. Patrick's Day 10k, the Glencoe Icebreaker, the Police Half, and the Mother's Day Run and Walk.
On March 30, Calgarian Peter Corrigan is competing for Canada in the World Cross Country Championships in Scotland. He earned his way to the world's by placing top six at the Canadian national cross country championships in Guelph in December.
On April 6, track Dino Heather Sim is competing for Canada at the 16th World University Championship in France, which she earned with a 6th place finish at the CIS cross country championship November 10 in Victoria.
The next Calgary Road and Track Report will be in mid-April.
Upcoming
Mar 16 - St. Patrick's Day 10k [1000]
Apr 6 Glencoe Icebreaker 10k
Apr 6 Hustle for Hunger 10k 5k - www.runningroom.com
Apr 13 Spring Trio 15k/10/5k - http://www.springtrio.ca [150]
Apr 19 Climb for Wilderness www.climbforwilderness.ca
Apr 20 Airdrie Half Marathon 10k 5k www.tourdeairdrie.com
Apr 27 Calgary Police Half + 5k www.calgarypolicehalf.ca
Athletics Alberta - www.athleticsalberta.com
Dinos Track Bulletin - http://www.uofcathletics.ca/bulletin_31.htm
On Saturday the Calgary Roadrunners hosted the last trail race of the winter season, with an 8.8km hilly, icy and technical course in Fish Creek Park. The men's winner was Andrew Carruthers in 36:25 and the women's winner was Shari Boyle in 42:08.
Upcoming Races
On March 16th at 10am the Calgary Roadrunners and Strides Running Store present the St. Patrick's Day Run, which is a 5k and 10k race that starts the Athletics Alberta Timex series. The premise is that Athletics Alberta, the governing body in this province for road and track races, selects 10 races around Alberta, like the Dino Dash 10k and the St. Albert 10 Mile and if you pre-register with Athletics Alberta for the series you collect points in your age group, redeemable at the end of the season for swanky prizes. More information on that is at: http://www.athleticsalberta.com/main/index.php?TimexSeries It starts with the St. Patrick's Day 10k and ends with Melissa's Road Race 10k in Banff in September.
There is also a competing St. Patrick's Day race, put on by the Running Room. Same day, slightly earlier start at 9am, runs on the Bow River pathways instead of the roads. All the Running Clinics of the past couple months have been gearing up for this one.
As far as I know, that's it for March. The next big race is the Glencoe Icebreaker, a 10k road race April 6 that usually sells out and a lot of competitive people show up for it. Probably the biggest early spring races are the St. Patrick's Day 10k, the Glencoe Icebreaker, the Police Half, and the Mother's Day Run and Walk.
On March 30, Calgarian Peter Corrigan is competing for Canada in the World Cross Country Championships in Scotland. He earned his way to the world's by placing top six at the Canadian national cross country championships in Guelph in December.
On April 6, track Dino Heather Sim is competing for Canada at the 16th World University Championship in France, which she earned with a 6th place finish at the CIS cross country championship November 10 in Victoria.
The next Calgary Road and Track Report will be in mid-April.
Upcoming
Mar 16 - St. Patrick's Day 10k [1000]
Apr 6 Glencoe Icebreaker 10k
Apr 6 Hustle for Hunger 10k 5k - www.runningroom.com
Apr 13 Spring Trio 15k/10/5k - http://www.springtrio.ca [150]
Apr 19 Climb for Wilderness www.climbforwilderness.ca
Apr 20 Airdrie Half Marathon 10k 5k www.tourdeairdrie.com
Apr 27 Calgary Police Half + 5k www.calgarypolicehalf.ca
Athletics Alberta - www.athleticsalberta.com
Dinos Track Bulletin - http://www.uofcathletics.ca/bulletin_31.htm
Thursday, February 28, 2008
CanWest, Geoff Kerr, Weaselhead
Last weekend at the Saskatoon Fieldhouse the U fo S Huskies hosted the university Canada West Track and Field Championships. 24 Dinos headed out to compete in everything from the shot put to the 3000m race, the 60m hurdles to the pole vault. 120 other competitors from universities in Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton, Victoria and Saskatoon toed the line as well, competing not just for individual medals but the overall team medals. The U of C was ranked first overall for their women's team, so expectations were high. The men's team was ranked fourth and ended up a few frustrating points out of first.
To get to the CanWest finals the Dino athletes had to either reach a varsity or national standard at some of the track meets in the past couple months, or they had to be expected to score points for the team. The first 6 people across the line score points, starting with 7 for first place, and ending with 1 point for sixth. You also medalled in your event if you were top 3. So, lots of chances to medal or score points, especially if you're in multiple events.
In the women's 1000m Heather Sim won in 2:54.90, followed by Rachel Romero in 4th and Valerie Hurdle in 5th. 12 points for the Dinos women. The men's 1000m had Scott Nicol in 5th in 2:29.97 and Madison Theriault in 6th for 3 points. In the women's 3000m Jessica O'Connell was 2nd in 9:49.81 for 5 points, and Geoff Kerr was 3rd in 8:43.70 for 4 points. That trend of women scoring more points than men in the same events continued for the some of the weekend, although the men were 1 and 2 in the 300m and 600m. The women's team capped the weekend with a great 4x800m relay win, and the overall points-leader CanWest banner.
Geoff Kerr's 3rd place finish in the 3000m was way off his personal best of 8:09.52 that he ran last year at this time. While his achilles wasn't bothering him leading up to the race, his calves weren't ready for the intense abuse of running that hard for that long and he ended up 21st in the 1500m the next day.
"The 3000m was first," writes outgoing team captain Kerr in an email. "I wouldn't describe it as a great race, but as good as I could do. I wasn't able to get up onto my toes which was very frustrating. I was lucky that the pace was fairly slow, and that allowed me to hang on. The cross training had the aerobic system ready to go, and so I was able to finish 3rd. The 1500 was the next day. I wasn't sure if I was going to run, because of the pain in my achiles and both calves, but we were in the run for the team title, and so Doug and I decided to give it a shot. The lower legs just gave out on me. The AT [athletic therapist] thinks I mildly strained both calves at some point in the race. I was forced to swallow my pride and finish basically limping on the track.
"As for the whole weekend, we had some great performances, although the guys came out agonizingly short of a team title. I wish my last Dinos race had gone better, but such is sport. I came into the program and there was never even talk about team placings because we were so far down the rankings, but this year it was the goal, and next year I believe the boys will come home with a banner for the first time in a decade."
The CIS National Championships are 9 days away in Montreal. The roster is posted at www.uofcathletics.ca/roster_CIS_08.htm . There is also some post-race analysis from the Dinos on this page: www.uofcathletics.ca/Varsity%20team%20information.htm
Keeping with the indoor track theme, this weekend there are the Alberta Provincials in Edmonton. Most of the varsity athletes are sitting this one out, either because they're saving their legs for CIS or they're already in transition to a rest period after the indoor season. For some people, like 74-year-old Roger Davies, this is the start of a season that ends in Regina in August with the Canadian masters championships. This weekend he'll be entered in the 3000m and the 1500m, as will fellow septagenarian Helly Visser. A lot of the younger competitors will be high school students like Mihai Prajea, Gareth Hadfield, Grace Kary, and hundreds more.
There was another event last weekend, the 9th trail race for the Calgary Roadrunners. The usual scenic, hilly, Weaselhead route was altered due to construction in the area, so the 90 people who turned out for a lovely spring-like afternoon run had a relatively flat course to follow. This brought out some competitive ire in the middle of the pack runners who spend a lot of time battling hills in other races, ended up running harder and faster than usual. Further evidence and photos can be found: http://completerunning.com/dawn-on-the-run/?p=1002 and http://completerunning.com/running-downhill/ and http://www.calgaryroadrunners.com/thumbs.php?item=57 The race was won by Andrew Carruthers in 23:57 for the men and Shari Boyle in 27:00 for the women.
On March 16th is the original St. Patrick's Day Run, which is a 5k and 10k race that starts the Timex series put on by Athletics Alberta. The premise is that Athletics Alberta, the governing body in this province for road and track races, selects 10 races around Alberta, like the Dino Dash 10k and the St. Albert 10 Mile and if you pre-register with Athletics Alberta for the series you collect points in your age group, redeemable at the end of the season for swanky prizes. More information on that is at: http://www.athleticsalberta.com/main/index.php?TimexSeries It starts with the St. Patrick's Day 10k and ends with Melissa's Road Race 10k in Banff in September.
There is also a competing St. Patrick's Day race, put on by the Running Room. Same day, same distance, with more corporate weight behind it. While it might seem that a city of 1 million people is big enough to support 2 similar races on the same day, the original St. Patrick's Day Race attendance will probably lose half its entrants to the Running Room race. What was once easily manageable with 1500 entries might mean belt-tightening with 700 entries. Still, 700 is a nice race, but will it be enough to close the roads around the campus and hire all the police to keep cars off the route? Time will tell.
The last two weeks of March are wide open for a race. And April has 6 good races, ending with the sold out Calgary Police Half. Also in March is the last Calgary Roadrunners trail race, this time in Fish Creek. This is open to anyone who wants to run a 4k or 8k trail run, and the fee is $7 for members and $10 for non-members.
Upcoming
Mar 1-2 Alberta Provincial Championships [300]
> Mar 6-8 CIS Championships, Montreal [24 from Calgary]
Mar 8 - Fish Creek XC [100]
Mar 16 - St. Patrick's Day 10k [1000]
Apr 6 Glencoe Icebreaker 10k
Apr 13 Spring Trio 15k/10/5k - http://www.springtrio.ca/ [150]
Apr 13 Hustle for Hunger 10k 5k
Apr 19 Climb for Wilderness http://www.climbforwilderness.ca/
Apr 20 Airdrie Half Marathon 10k 5k http://www.tourdeairdrie.com/
Apr 27 Calgary Police Half + 5k http://www.calgarypolicehalf.ca/
Athletics Alberta - http://www.athleticsalberta.com/
CRR XC Grand Prix - http://www.calgaryroadrunners.com/xcsched.php
Dinos Track Bulletin - http://www.uofcathletics.ca/bulletin_26.htm
About the Calgary Road and Track Report
The CRTR is not directly affiliated with the Calgary Roadrunners Club, the Calgary Spartans, the University of Calgary Dinos, the Running Room, Athletics Alberta, or any other club or organization. This report is an independent source of information about running. The purpose is to give Calgarians information about upcoming race events and recent results. This may include interviews with race directors and elite athletes.
About Gabino Travassos
Among other things, Gabino is a recent running convert with 15 races completed. His best was a 41:45 10k in August.
To get to the CanWest finals the Dino athletes had to either reach a varsity or national standard at some of the track meets in the past couple months, or they had to be expected to score points for the team. The first 6 people across the line score points, starting with 7 for first place, and ending with 1 point for sixth. You also medalled in your event if you were top 3. So, lots of chances to medal or score points, especially if you're in multiple events.
In the women's 1000m Heather Sim won in 2:54.90, followed by Rachel Romero in 4th and Valerie Hurdle in 5th. 12 points for the Dinos women. The men's 1000m had Scott Nicol in 5th in 2:29.97 and Madison Theriault in 6th for 3 points. In the women's 3000m Jessica O'Connell was 2nd in 9:49.81 for 5 points, and Geoff Kerr was 3rd in 8:43.70 for 4 points. That trend of women scoring more points than men in the same events continued for the some of the weekend, although the men were 1 and 2 in the 300m and 600m. The women's team capped the weekend with a great 4x800m relay win, and the overall points-leader CanWest banner.
Geoff Kerr's 3rd place finish in the 3000m was way off his personal best of 8:09.52 that he ran last year at this time. While his achilles wasn't bothering him leading up to the race, his calves weren't ready for the intense abuse of running that hard for that long and he ended up 21st in the 1500m the next day.
"The 3000m was first," writes outgoing team captain Kerr in an email. "I wouldn't describe it as a great race, but as good as I could do. I wasn't able to get up onto my toes which was very frustrating. I was lucky that the pace was fairly slow, and that allowed me to hang on. The cross training had the aerobic system ready to go, and so I was able to finish 3rd. The 1500 was the next day. I wasn't sure if I was going to run, because of the pain in my achiles and both calves, but we were in the run for the team title, and so Doug and I decided to give it a shot. The lower legs just gave out on me. The AT [athletic therapist] thinks I mildly strained both calves at some point in the race. I was forced to swallow my pride and finish basically limping on the track.
"As for the whole weekend, we had some great performances, although the guys came out agonizingly short of a team title. I wish my last Dinos race had gone better, but such is sport. I came into the program and there was never even talk about team placings because we were so far down the rankings, but this year it was the goal, and next year I believe the boys will come home with a banner for the first time in a decade."
The CIS National Championships are 9 days away in Montreal. The roster is posted at www.uofcathletics.ca/roster_CIS_08.htm . There is also some post-race analysis from the Dinos on this page: www.uofcathletics.ca/Varsity%20team%20information.htm
Keeping with the indoor track theme, this weekend there are the Alberta Provincials in Edmonton. Most of the varsity athletes are sitting this one out, either because they're saving their legs for CIS or they're already in transition to a rest period after the indoor season. For some people, like 74-year-old Roger Davies, this is the start of a season that ends in Regina in August with the Canadian masters championships. This weekend he'll be entered in the 3000m and the 1500m, as will fellow septagenarian Helly Visser. A lot of the younger competitors will be high school students like Mihai Prajea, Gareth Hadfield, Grace Kary, and hundreds more.
There was another event last weekend, the 9th trail race for the Calgary Roadrunners. The usual scenic, hilly, Weaselhead route was altered due to construction in the area, so the 90 people who turned out for a lovely spring-like afternoon run had a relatively flat course to follow. This brought out some competitive ire in the middle of the pack runners who spend a lot of time battling hills in other races, ended up running harder and faster than usual. Further evidence and photos can be found: http://completerunning.com/dawn-on-the-run/?p=1002 and http://completerunning.com/running-downhill/ and http://www.calgaryroadrunners.com/thumbs.php?item=57 The race was won by Andrew Carruthers in 23:57 for the men and Shari Boyle in 27:00 for the women.
On March 16th is the original St. Patrick's Day Run, which is a 5k and 10k race that starts the Timex series put on by Athletics Alberta. The premise is that Athletics Alberta, the governing body in this province for road and track races, selects 10 races around Alberta, like the Dino Dash 10k and the St. Albert 10 Mile and if you pre-register with Athletics Alberta for the series you collect points in your age group, redeemable at the end of the season for swanky prizes. More information on that is at: http://www.athleticsalberta.com/main/index.php?TimexSeries It starts with the St. Patrick's Day 10k and ends with Melissa's Road Race 10k in Banff in September.
There is also a competing St. Patrick's Day race, put on by the Running Room. Same day, same distance, with more corporate weight behind it. While it might seem that a city of 1 million people is big enough to support 2 similar races on the same day, the original St. Patrick's Day Race attendance will probably lose half its entrants to the Running Room race. What was once easily manageable with 1500 entries might mean belt-tightening with 700 entries. Still, 700 is a nice race, but will it be enough to close the roads around the campus and hire all the police to keep cars off the route? Time will tell.
The last two weeks of March are wide open for a race. And April has 6 good races, ending with the sold out Calgary Police Half. Also in March is the last Calgary Roadrunners trail race, this time in Fish Creek. This is open to anyone who wants to run a 4k or 8k trail run, and the fee is $7 for members and $10 for non-members.
Upcoming
Mar 1-2 Alberta Provincial Championships [300]
> Mar 6-8 CIS Championships, Montreal [24 from Calgary]
Mar 8 - Fish Creek XC [100]
Mar 16 - St. Patrick's Day 10k [1000]
Apr 6 Glencoe Icebreaker 10k
Apr 13 Spring Trio 15k/10/5k - http://www.springtrio.ca/ [150]
Apr 13 Hustle for Hunger 10k 5k
Apr 19 Climb for Wilderness http://www.climbforwilderness.ca/
Apr 20 Airdrie Half Marathon 10k 5k http://www.tourdeairdrie.com/
Apr 27 Calgary Police Half + 5k http://www.calgarypolicehalf.ca/
Athletics Alberta - http://www.athleticsalberta.com/
CRR XC Grand Prix - http://www.calgaryroadrunners.com/xcsched.php
Dinos Track Bulletin - http://www.uofcathletics.ca/bulletin_26.htm
About the Calgary Road and Track Report
The CRTR is not directly affiliated with the Calgary Roadrunners Club, the Calgary Spartans, the University of Calgary Dinos, the Running Room, Athletics Alberta, or any other club or organization. This report is an independent source of information about running. The purpose is to give Calgarians information about upcoming race events and recent results. This may include interviews with race directors and elite athletes.
About Gabino Travassos
Among other things, Gabino is a recent running convert with 15 races completed. His best was a 41:45 10k in August.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Facebook, injuries, Dinos
There are a few things going on locally in Calgary in the running world. The most urgent this week is the online registration for the Calgary Police Half starts on Friday Feb 1 at noon. It will probably be sold out (2500 entries) by Saturday morning and 1000 more people will be looking to buy entries closer to the actual event in April. Later in February the same thing will happen with Melissa's Road Race (half marathon) in Banff. There are a couple of events in the entire year where people would probably camp outside to buy tickets if they could. Instead they just try and remember the date to register online. There are Facebook pages for these events to remind you.
Speaking of, I started making Facebook event pages for all the upcoming events that don't have one. And then I invite all my friends. It's halfway useful. (Or really annoying.)
This weekend there are no local road or trail races that I know of, but there's an indoor track meet on campus on Saturday, the Jack Simpson Open. This is mostly sprinter's showcase, but there is a 1000m race that should be interesting. This weekend some of the Dinos are going to Winnipeg for the Cargill Games, but some will be hanging back and running 5 laps of the indoor track.
As I mentioned before, the Jack Simpson Gym is not designed with spectators in mind for track events. That doesn't mean there won't be 100 parents and friends scattered around the track yelling and freaking out. They just have no place to sit. And no real great vantage points. It's still worth going if you've never been. Admission is free. A race schedule will be posted online on Thursday along with a list of combatants.
The weekend of the 9th is another Dino track exodus, this time to Regina for the Queen City Indoor Games. This should be a big one as everyone is running out of chances to qualify for the Canada West Championships (Winnipeg, Feb 22-23) and the CIS Nationals (Montreal, March 6-8).
Which brings me to injuries. Last year Geoff Kerr was first in the 1500m and 3000m at both Canada West and CIS Nationals, but over the Christmas break he injured a leg and his first race back might be at CanWest. He's been doing the pool running and cross training to keep his fitness up, but it's hard to tell what will happen. Last summer Olympic 1500m hopeful Malindi Elmore was in a foot cast and this fall/winter she's been working to get herself back into competitive shape. After one uninspired race in September second year Dino Mark McConnell has yet to get back on track, spending most of the cross country and probably all of the indoor season in rehab. In the summer rookie Jessica O'Connell was injured and had to ease up in some of her races, but seems to be running fine now. Same with 4th year Heather Sim.
On Feb 9 there is the 7th of 10 winter trail races that the Calgary Roadrunners put on, this time at Nose Hill. Last year this 8k jaunt around the park had to contend with a foot of snow, which was beautiful. On Feb 23 the Roadrunners do it again at the Weaselhead. There is a 4k and 8k course, it starts at noon, and is followed by a potluck lunch.
The Hypothermic Half is the first half marathon in Calgary of 2008, and it sells out in 2007. A bunch of people head to Vancouver on Feb 10 to instead run the First Half Half, which is also sold out.
Feb 10 might also be a reason to head to Edmonton for the Alberta Indoor Provincials, which is mostly shorter distance events like the 400m, 800m and the middle distance 1500m.
There is a group of races in this province called the Alberta Ultra Series, referring to a bunch of races longer than marathon distance. The first of the series is the Frozen Ass 50 on Feb 18, which starts at the Canoe Club, heads south to the Glenmore Inn and follows a running path out to Chestermere and back. The cap for this race is 75, and they should reach that.
In recent events, the Calgary Marathon has a new race director: Cheryl Lowery. She's been organizing about 5 races a year, including the Kananaskis 100 Relay and the Last Chance Half Marathon. It should be in good hands.
Upcoming
Feb 2 - Jack Simpson Open, 60m, 4x200m, 1000m, 400m [300]
Feb 2 - Cargill, Winnipeg [300]
> Feb 8-9 - Wheat City, Regina [500]
Feb 9 - Nose Hill XC [100]
Feb 10 - Hypothermic Half - [500]
Feb 10 - First Half Half - Vancouver [2000]
> Feb 10 - Alberta Indoor Provincials, Edmonton
Feb 17 - Austin Marathon
Feb 18 - Frozen Ass 50 [75]
> Feb 22-23 - Canada West Championships, Winnipeg
Feb 23 - Weaselhead XC [100]
Speaking of, I started making Facebook event pages for all the upcoming events that don't have one. And then I invite all my friends. It's halfway useful. (Or really annoying.)
This weekend there are no local road or trail races that I know of, but there's an indoor track meet on campus on Saturday, the Jack Simpson Open. This is mostly sprinter's showcase, but there is a 1000m race that should be interesting. This weekend some of the Dinos are going to Winnipeg for the Cargill Games, but some will be hanging back and running 5 laps of the indoor track.
As I mentioned before, the Jack Simpson Gym is not designed with spectators in mind for track events. That doesn't mean there won't be 100 parents and friends scattered around the track yelling and freaking out. They just have no place to sit. And no real great vantage points. It's still worth going if you've never been. Admission is free. A race schedule will be posted online on Thursday along with a list of combatants.
The weekend of the 9th is another Dino track exodus, this time to Regina for the Queen City Indoor Games. This should be a big one as everyone is running out of chances to qualify for the Canada West Championships (Winnipeg, Feb 22-23) and the CIS Nationals (Montreal, March 6-8).
Which brings me to injuries. Last year Geoff Kerr was first in the 1500m and 3000m at both Canada West and CIS Nationals, but over the Christmas break he injured a leg and his first race back might be at CanWest. He's been doing the pool running and cross training to keep his fitness up, but it's hard to tell what will happen. Last summer Olympic 1500m hopeful Malindi Elmore was in a foot cast and this fall/winter she's been working to get herself back into competitive shape. After one uninspired race in September second year Dino Mark McConnell has yet to get back on track, spending most of the cross country and probably all of the indoor season in rehab. In the summer rookie Jessica O'Connell was injured and had to ease up in some of her races, but seems to be running fine now. Same with 4th year Heather Sim.
On Feb 9 there is the 7th of 10 winter trail races that the Calgary Roadrunners put on, this time at Nose Hill. Last year this 8k jaunt around the park had to contend with a foot of snow, which was beautiful. On Feb 23 the Roadrunners do it again at the Weaselhead. There is a 4k and 8k course, it starts at noon, and is followed by a potluck lunch.
The Hypothermic Half is the first half marathon in Calgary of 2008, and it sells out in 2007. A bunch of people head to Vancouver on Feb 10 to instead run the First Half Half, which is also sold out.
Feb 10 might also be a reason to head to Edmonton for the Alberta Indoor Provincials, which is mostly shorter distance events like the 400m, 800m and the middle distance 1500m.
There is a group of races in this province called the Alberta Ultra Series, referring to a bunch of races longer than marathon distance. The first of the series is the Frozen Ass 50 on Feb 18, which starts at the Canoe Club, heads south to the Glenmore Inn and follows a running path out to Chestermere and back. The cap for this race is 75, and they should reach that.
In recent events, the Calgary Marathon has a new race director: Cheryl Lowery. She's been organizing about 5 races a year, including the Kananaskis 100 Relay and the Last Chance Half Marathon. It should be in good hands.
Upcoming
Feb 2 - Jack Simpson Open, 60m, 4x200m, 1000m, 400m [300]
Feb 2 - Cargill, Winnipeg [300]
> Feb 8-9 - Wheat City, Regina [500]
Feb 9 - Nose Hill XC [100]
Feb 10 - Hypothermic Half - [500]
Feb 10 - First Half Half - Vancouver [2000]
> Feb 10 - Alberta Indoor Provincials, Edmonton
Feb 17 - Austin Marathon
Feb 18 - Frozen Ass 50 [75]
> Feb 22-23 - Canada West Championships, Winnipeg
Feb 23 - Weaselhead XC [100]
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