2014 Race Wishlist

If I made a wishlist of nearby races I would like to run in 2014, it would include all the CRR XC, all the 5 Peaks, anything in Canmore or Banff, anything 21k, any 10k if there's costumes or music, and a steeplechase with eels in the water pit.

Unfortunately, due to my misplaced ambition last year where I increased my mileage too quickly in the spring, I will probably get to none of them.

Here are some local races that would make for a good year.

• St. Patrick's Day Road Race 10k, March 16, 2014, $50 until Feb 16, entry gets you a t-shirt and a chance to win your weight in beer.
• Calgary Police Half, April 27, 2014, $85 until Feb 6, registration is open now, includes a race shirt
• Calgary Spring Classic, May 2014, $15 per event, like Steeplechase on the outdoor track
• Calgary Marathon, June 1, 2014, $90 until March 31, includes a race shirt, a medal and a post-race breakfast
• Cochrane Footstock 10k, June 14, 2014, registration opens Feb 13
• High River Half Marathon, July 1, 2014, $40 until March 31, includes a t-shirt
• Stampede Road Race Half Marathon, July 6, 2014, $65 until June 1, includes a t-shirt
• Moose Mountain Trail Race 29k, August 2014, $60, includes a t-shirt and lunch
• Dino Dash 10k, Sept 2014, $35 until Aug, includes a t-shirt
• Canmore Rocky Mountain Half, Sept 7, 2014, registration opens Feb 1
• Rock the House Run 10k, in Sept, proceeds to Ronald McDonald House
• Harvest Half, Oct 4, 2014, $60 until Sept 1, $60 includes a t-shirt and post-race brunch, registration opens April 1
• Last Chance Half, November 9, 2014

 

Also:

• Athletics Alberta Timex Road Race Series
• Five Peaks
• Calgary Roadrunners Cross Country Grand Prix Series

 

Golden Bear Open, Edmonton, Jan 17-19

It's been a long time since I've written about indoor track, so I thought I'd refresh myself with who some of the people are in the sport by looking at some recent results. January 4th's Dino Classic was only the second event of the indoor track season, so it might not be an indication of who is up for the Golden Bear, but a few results in some of the longer distance categories might provide a glimpse of who's out there.

Women's 16+ 300m
> Tegan Wilson 41.98 Calgary International
> Tatyjania Khounviseth 42.06 Leduc Track Club
> Cassandre Collins 42.93 U of Calgary

Women's 16+ 600m
> Jenna Westaway 1:31.55 U of Calgary
> Rachael McIntosh 1:36.88 U of Calgary
> Natasha Jackson 1:37.76 Valley Royals

Women 16+ 1500m
> Emma Cook-Clarke 4:49.67 U of Calgary
> Gabby Traxler 5:02.99 U of C Athletics Club
> Madison Oxton 5:09.75 Leduc Track Club

Men 16+ 300m
> Andrew Dargie 35.50 Calgary International
> Evan Kimick 35.79 U of C Athletics Club
> Garrett King 36.14 U of Calgary

Men 16+ 600m
> Roman Justinen 1:24.66 U of Calgary
> Luc Wittig 1:24.70 U of Calgary
> Maciek Krolikowski 1:25.54 U of Calgary

Men 16+ 1500m
> Mihai Prajea 4:11.67 Calgary International
> Michael Quick 4:15.68 Calgary International
> Keenan Viney 4:17.80 U of C Athletics Club



The relay races seem to be one of the more exciting events, full of bumps and drops and magic feet. Here's a race from last year at the Butterdome to give you a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLARU3wfuis


Also, here are some of the top placing Calgarians from the last college cross country race in the fall. Maybe some of them will show up next weekend in Edmonton: Jessica O'Connell, Alana Skocdople, Shari Boyle, Clifford Childs, Willy Kimosop, Brad Bickley, Keena Viney, Gareth Hadfield (although the cross over from cross country is not comprehensive).

In addition to the 16+ category, there are age groups for everyone 10 and up, as well as some  competitive masters and senior athletes. Unlike the Jack Simpson in Calgary, the indoor track in Edmonton has tons of seating.

The events and the schedule are available here: http://www.athletics.ualberta.ca/-/media/athletics/teams/track/2013-14/pdf-documents/1314-gboschedule.pdf


It's worth attending.

Nose Creek XC, Jan 11 noon

It should be a perfect Saturday for running in the snow at this weekend's Calgary Roadrunners Nose Creek 4k/8k Cross Country Race, which is race 6 of their 10 race season. Frontrunners have included: Trev Williams, Mark Cowllie, Calvin Zaryski, Carter Birt, Maria Zambrano, Rhonda Clark, Kim Collier, John Vanderveen, Evan Bayer, Jessica Kaiser, Mevlut Kont, Anne Marie Landry, Andy Reed, Phillipe Lagace.
If you'd like to see a nasty cold version of the course, Neil Zeller filmed part of the race in 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acXODI_SDps Watch that and then imagine it about 30 degrees warmer. Should be quite pleasant. If you'd like to see a cross country race in Calgary in the winter before trying it yourself, this course offers some good sightlines for spectators. As always, there's a potluck lunch for race participants at a nearby community hall (please bring your own mug, bowl and spoon) where age group medals are handed out (often in the form of a cookie).


Races cost $10, CRR members pay $7 and students pay $5. There is also a free kids 1km race around 11:45am. Races start at noon sharp-ish.
Brochure for the course: http://www.calgaryroadrunners.com/sites/default/files/2014-01-11_nose_creek_trifold.pdf