Notes from Dan the Trail Guy #38

Trail Bits

The Saturday group run of the Half Marathon route was well attended, there were about 20 plus runners and 8 bikers. Good times were had and we followedup by breakfast at Tania's and White Spot. Plus we got to eat some home backed snacks that Ruth made. There was a last minute change in breakfast locations that not everyone was aware of; sorry about that. The Sunday group run was a little better attended with over 500 runners showing up and half a dozen bikers. What an event: sunny weather, lots of smiling faces, a great battle on the race course along with lots of personal milestones being achieved. On top of all that fun we were having we managed to raise money. Full financials will be available sometime later next week after the Board has had chance to review them.

1. VOLUNTEERS & SPONSORS Appreciation Party - it is Thursday, September 22nd at 6:30pm in the same location as last year, the Howard JohnsonHarbourside Hotel. It is vitally important that I receive RSVP's from allof you that plan on attending. Otherwise we will be short of food. If youwere a chair of a committee, please pass along this message as soon as youcan to all your committee members. Please have all confirmations emailed to me at danbrady@shaw.ca I need allc onfirmations in by September 17th. Thanks

2. NDSS Cross Country Team - Michael Gill from Bastion Running Club along with Darrel Orosz a joint ROC/Bastion Member and myself are coaching the Nanaimo District Secondary School Cross Country Team. This will be the first time that NDSS has had a cross country team in the history of the school. The development of this running program fits in well with the other running programs that ROC has been supporting at Woodlands and WellingtonHigh Schools. The first race of the cross country season is Friday September23rd at Pioneer Park. We are looking for 4-6 volunteers that would be willing to lend a hand w/marshalling and possibly helping out at the finisharea. Bob Saunders from Dover Bay High School is the acting race director.We would ask that any person that is able to assist simply show up at 12noon. There will be 4 races w/the first race starting at 1pm. I expecteverything should be wrapped up by 4pm...If you can help can you please email Michael at mikegill@shaw.ca

3. CHRISTMAS PARTY - The combined Bastion/ROC Christmas Party isconfirmed for November 19th in the Legion Hall at Townsite & Bowen. Moredetails to come later from the Social Coordinators. We need some feedback ifwe should book a band or book a DJ...Comments?

4. Frontrunners Tuesday Night Clinics - They are back. 6:30, Tuesdaynights. See you there. Something for everyone..only Two Bucks!!!

5. ROC Gear - The Runners of Compassion shirts have been re-stocked atFrontrunners so there is now a wide selection of sizes. We have alsoarranged to have black Halley Hansen winter running toque to be brought in.The toques should be available late next week. Norm is also hinting at bringing in Petzel Head lamps. A must have item for those winter night runs.

6. Ab Classes - Start doing your homework now; don't wait. The fun all starts next week. There are a couple of spots left for the Thursday nightsession. If you would like to register or have any questions please sendSean an email at seanlunny@shaw.caor call him at 756-2279.

7. Thetis Lake Relays - ROAD TRIP! - The Thetis Lake Relays ($20.00 for a team) which takes place on Friday November 11th (Remembrance Day) is a 4 X5km Team Relay all run on single track trails. With the number of us that trail run together on a regular basis we should be able to enter at least 4 or 5 teams into the Relays. Plus Remembrance Day is a holiday for most ofus. Last years Champions were from Nanaimo. Steve Osiaduk and Kevin Friesen- each running two legs each, were a two man wrecking crew that out ran atleast 30 or more 4 person teams to take home the title. The beauty of thisrace is that you get to start on the finish line with lots of other runners along with numerous top Canadian athletes that either train in Victoria during the winter or have just completed their race season. This raceattracts National Champions, Olympic athletes along with old slogs like me. If you want to be on an ROC Team don't let me know, arrange your team andthen tell me. I will arrange the car pooling, registration (you pay), etc.This is a great tune up for the Gunner Shaw Cross Country which is run twoweeks later on some of the same trails.

8. Gunner Shaw - I made a mistake on the date, sorry. It is SaturdayNovember 26th not the 27th like I originally said. A large number of us areplanning to attend this. Details closer to the date.

9. Grouse Grind - Looking for something a little more challenging. TheGrouse Grind takes place on September 25th on Grouse Mountain. New EliteDivision (Stefan) for those of looking for some cash.

10. Ah, This weekends trail run - Due to a very high popular demand wewill be returning to the trails of Duomont again this weekend. Please meetat the Yellow gate at 7:00am. If you need driving directions, drop me anote.

11. Early Warnings:
* Frosty Foot Race - December 4th, 2005, Bowen Park, Nanaimo, 10 amstart, registration 9:15, 10km Run, 5km Run or Walk, 1km Tot Trot
* Nanaimo Track & Field 5Km - November 20th , Location and time tobe announced, this is a fundraiser for the Track & Field Club
* Gunner Shaw Cross Country - Saturday November 26th, Thetis LakePark Victoria, if you consider yourself a trail runner then you must come tothis race with us. It is one of the oldest x/c trail races in BC. Draws agreat crowd. Amazing course. It can be wet!!!! Put it on your calendarright now, so you don't double book yourself.

See ya,Dan