ROC Trail Bits 2006 #27

Trail Bits # 27
GutBuster Volunteers – A BIG thank you to all of you that answered my call for help. I know have 34 people that have indicated that they can help in some way with the race. I will be sending out a separate email directly to all of you that have offered your services explaining the where, when, what etc.
I can still use more bodies on the day of the race. 8:00 am – noon. Drop me a note if you can help.

Some exciting news about the race is that the Nanaimo GutBuster has been chosen to be a selection race for the World Mountain Running Team, which will compete in Turkey this fall. Our very own Stefan Jakobsen will be racing against some of the top mountain runners in Canada as they all battle for the coveted spots on the team. On the women’s side of the event we will also have several of the top female trail runners in Canada coming to town to compete. Both the male and female winners of the Grouse Grind will be here. It is going to be a pretty fast race. Being selected to host a qualifying race is pretty amazing when you consider that this is only our fifth year hosting the GutBuster and only the second year we have staged the Half Marathon distance trail race. Being chosen to host a selection race is a testament to the great community support we have along with an absolutely amazing race course we offer. None of this would be possible though if not for the great support that we receive from all of you all year long….Thank you.

If you want to watch some amazing trail racing this will be the race to watch. Don’t sit on the beach and wait for the runners to cross the finish line; get out on the Westwood Ridges or out on Humility/Abyss and watch these people run up inclines at a speed that will amaze you.

Ø Dragon Boat Festival – don’t forget to come down and cheer on all of the great folks that are paddling this weekend. Music, beer gardens, live music, lots of fun.

Ø BLUE RODEO – is coming to Nanaimo on July 16th. Don’t delay on your ticket purchase; they are now starting to sell quickly. Get your tickets at the Port Theatre or online through the Port Theatre box office at www.porttheatre.com

Ø The Triathlon of Compassion is happening on July 16, 2006. Online registration is up and running - http://www.vira.bc.ca/compassionregister.php
Race details and info is at http://victoria.frontrunners.ca/events/toc/index.php This is an ROC Victoria event.

· The run location will be both of the Westwood Ridges, starting from the parking lot at 7:00 AM. Can I please ask that you bring pruners with you as we really need to make sure that the course is well pruned? I will be biking and pruning out the power lines section of the course and the trails connecting to it if some one wants to join me? The Humility Abyss loop has now been pruned.