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
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