Trail Bits #17 2006

Trail Bits # 17

Please remember that when we encounter other runners, walkers, and bikers on our runs, the leader needs to LOUDLY ANNOUNCE to the group that someone is approaching. The group needs to pass along the message to the rest of the group. At this time the group should start running single file – staying to the right side of the trail….thanks a lot.

Learn to Mountain Bike – Still a couple of spots left in Sean’s Bike Clinic this Saturday. 8:00 – 10:00 Email Sean at seanlunny@shaw.ca for time and place. Remember 100% of the proceeds go to ROC.

I think the May 27 & 28 weekend is now full. Saturday May 27th is the Island Relay, while Sunday the 28th is the Oak Bay Half Marathon, the Knee Knacker 25km Trail Race in North Vancouver and the 8km Holland Creek Crunch Trail Race in Ladysmith. All four events are great, which one will you choose to do? Oh, if that wasn’t enough there is a big MTB race in Campbell River on the Sunday.

Ø Thank you to all of you that showed up on Saturday morning for the Shaw Cable filming. I now have a time schedule of when it will be running. The column appears in this Wednesday’s Harbour City Star and it will begin running on Channel 4 Wednesday at 6 pm. It is usually in the first 15 minutes of each hour and repeats each hour until Thursday at 6 pm. The whole thing starts again Saturday at 6 pm and runs every hour until 6 pm Monday. The feature will air a total of 72 times!

Ø It sounds like half of Nanaimo was over in Vancouver on Sunday for the Sun Run. 50,000 runners…..amazing!

Ø Congratulations to Sean and Corey on the opening of their new bike shop; Oak Bay Bikes last Saturday in Longwood Plaza. They are located in the same part of the plaza as Esquire Coffee and Great Clips. Drop in and check out their selection of bikes, clothes and gadgets. MTB Bikes, Road Bikes, Tri Bikes, Kids Bikes, etc. They also do service work.

Ø Steve Osiaduk was in London on Sunday for the Flora London Marathon which he was on a pace to complete in a time of around 2:15 when he had to withdraw due to cramping. When I last spoke with Steve, it was his intention to be back in time to race in this weekend Times Colonist 10k. Steves is hoping to defend the winners’ title that he has held for the past two years. Good luck to you Steve in your pursuit to be the first three years in a row winner of the race. Nanaimo will be cheering for you.

Ø Snow to Surf was held this past weekend and all I have been hearing about is how fantastic the teams made up of ROC members from Nanaimo did in the race. Congratulations ladies and gentlemen! Here are some of the great results from ROC related teams at Snow to Surf with Team Frontrunners placing 2nd in Open men and 2nd overall. Frontrunners Foxy placing 2nd in open women and 46th overall. Team Ampedphibians with team leader, Kathy Barber, winning the Masters Women category and placing 33rd overall.

Ø Margaret & Ceri Merrett were the cover girls in this past Saturdays Nanaimo Daily News. Great article about the two of them running and being able to run in the Boston Marathon together.

Ø Wendy Simms was also in the paper as a result of her second place finish in Mt. Tzouhalem GutBuster. Susan Briggs again won her age group and both Dave Metcalfe and Line Couture were both second in their age groups.

Ø Island Relay is coming up fast. The Island Relay which is an eight person relay from Courtenay to North Nanaimo is on May 27th. The Relay, which is a fund raising event for the BC Transplant Society would like to know if Runners of Compassion will be entering a team or two. If you are planning on entering a team, please let Steve Middleton know as soon as possible as it will help them with their planning. You can email Steve at saam@shaw.ca .

Ø Ladysmith Holland Creek Crunch 8km Trail Race – Looking for a really nice and short trail race close to home, then check out the Holland Creek Crunch. It is May 28th.

Ø Correct email address for the Yoga instructor is Domsull@shaw.ca I apologize for sending along the wrong address.

Ø May 1st- Women's Night (FREE!!) Join FR for this amazing night just for women. Make it a girl’s night out! Mingle, enjoy a glass of wine and nibblies, learn about proper sports bra fit and leave inspired by hearing accomplished runner, mother of twins, and teacher Bobbie Jensen speak on Striking a Balance! Doors open at 6:45pm. The evening begins at 7pm. RSVP for this FREE evening by calling Frontrunners at 729-8200.

Ø Frontrunners Customer Appreciation Night/ Clubs Night- Thursday May 4th - Come out to this annual event. Talk to the reps, enter great draws, and get fabulous deals on merchandise in the store! Not to mention the opportunity to mingle and have munchies with all of your running buddies!


This week the run location is Duomont Road 7:00AM
The driving directions are fairly simple.
If you live in north Nanaimo, take Metral Drive to Duomont Road. Turn on to Duomont Road and head out past the Black Bear Pub. Follow this road for 10 minutes or until you come to the T-Junction with Biggs & Weigles Road. Turn Right and head up the hill for a couple of minutes. You will see us on the side of the road. If you get to the flat part of road near the Wasteland Motto Cross Track, you have gone too far.

If you live in central or South Nanaimo take the Parkway to the Jingle Pot/Mostar exit – Turn Left at this intersection.
Immediately turn right on to Biggs Road. Stay on this road. You will drive past the Correctional Facility, past the farm fields and will then start heading up the hill. Keep heading up the hill. This road simply changes its name and becomes Weigles Rd. Keep driving up the hill. You will see us on the side of the road. If you get to the flat part of road near the Wasteland Motto Cross Track, you have gone too far.

Upcoming Stuff
* indicates trail race
· Times Colonist 10K – April 30th
· Vancouver Marathon – May 7th
· Oceanside 10k – May 7th
· Island Relay – May 27th
· Knee Knacker 25km Trail Race, North Vancouver – May 28th
· Oak Bay Half Marathon – May 28th
· Ladysmith’s Holland Creek Trail Race – May 28th
· GutBuster # 3 Mt. Douglas, Victoria – June 3rd
· Panoramic Classic Triathlon, Saanich – June 4th
· Edge to Edge Half & Full Marathon, Tofino – June 11th
· New Balance Half Iron, Victoria – June 18th
· Kusim Klimb, Sayward – June 17th
· Scotia Bank Half Marathon, Vancouver – June 25th
· Comfortably Numb 25km Trail Race – June 25th
· GutBuster # 4 – Westwood Lake Half Marathon & 8km – July 16th
· Full (50Km) & Half (25km) Monty Trail Races, Victoria – August 19th
· Log Train Trail Half & Full Marathons, Port Alberni – August 20th