Trail Bits #18 2006

Trail Bits # 18

I think by now most of Nanaimo has seen either the television clip about ROC or they have read the article about us in the Harbour City Star. It is amazing how many people watch or read the local TV channel and the local papers. Both the article and the TV spot did a great job of getting the ROC message out to the community. Special thanks go to Bill Robinson and Mellissa from Shaw Cable for the great job they did.

Speaking of getting the message out; Steve Osaduik clearly delivered the message of who is the top dog in the Times Colonist 10k. For the third year in a row Steve won. Some pretty amazing times were handed in by the large number of Central Island runners that ventured down to Victoria for the Sunday race. Check out the results at http://pih.bc.ca/results/tc/tc.php

Later in the month we will be asking for a few volunteers to help out with marshalling the final runs of the local High Schools Learn to Run Program. Runners of Compassion has been involved with financially supporting the Learn to Run Program, which is a six week Learn to Run Program offered in a number of local high schools and elementary schools in Nanaimo. The growth and success of these programs over the past three years has been amazing. The high school program culminates with a run around – where else – but Westwood Lake (you didn’t think it would be a road run did you?). The funding from ROC goes to help pay for transportation, water and other incidental costs that are not covered in the regular school budgets. Another small example of ROC having a positive effect in our community.

Feed Back required – Can you drop me an email with a short answer to these questions?
Should the Saturday run time stay at 7:00am or should it move to 7:30 am?
Is there interest in running the Parksville – Englishman River route one Saturday? This route starts close to the Log Cabin store near Rathtrevor, loops down through the park, through the estuary, and then follows the river bank up stream to the Top Bridge area. I think it is about 10 or 11km.

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! 6:30 – 9:00….always lots of fun.

Ø Royal Victoria Marathon Clinic – Kim Gagliano is putting on a Marathon & Half Marathon Clinic geared towards the RVM. This clinic is intended for those of you that can comfortably run sub 4 hour marathons and sub 2 hour half marathons. The day & time for the clinic is 6:00am on Thursdays. No that is not a typo; it is 6:00am. If you are interested in this clinic drop Kim an email at gaglianos@shaw.ca for full details. Space is limited so don’t delay.

Ø Oceanside 10k – May 7th is the last race of this years Island Race Series. It goes this Sunday in Parksville

Ø Vancouver Marathon – good luck to all of you that have been training long and hard for this event. It looks like the weather is going to cooperate. We hope you all have great runs.

Ø Run for Life – May 14th in Nanaimo. This 5K Fun Run is partially sponsored by ROC – Nanaimo, so lets try and get a good turn out of members for this event. The run starts at 10:00 am at the Bowen Seniors Centre. The registration form is attached. Take Mom out for a Fun Run on Mothers Day

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.


This week the run location is Humility/Abyss 7:00 AM
I will be taking out a run/walk group again.3 minutes running 2 minutes walking

The driving directions are fairly simple.
If you live in north Nanaimo, following the Parkway to the 5th Street/Malaspina College exit – turn Left. Go down the hill to Wakesiah – Turn Right. Follow Wakesiah to Nanaimo Lakes Road – Turn Right. Follow Nanaimo Lakes Road to Harewood Mines Road – Turn Left….follow this for 2 minutes we will be under the power lines. It is really very simple.

If you live in central or South Nanaimo get on to Wakesiah, this is the road in front of Nanaimo District Secondary School, Follow Wakesiah to Nanaimo Lakes Road – Turn Right. Follow Nanaimo Lakes Road to Harewood Mines Road – Turn Left….follow this for 2 minutes we will be under the power lines. It is really very simple.

Upcoming Stuff
* indicates trail race
· 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