Notes from Bastion Ross: Early September

Dear Bastion



Its all systems go. This Sunday a mammoth undertaking ten months in the making will come to fruitition at 8:00 am. There are a record number of runners registered, all the volunteers know their lines and the weather looks to be beautiful again this year. If you are looking for an exciting duel, both races have some very fast runners. Maybe a busload of Kenyans might show up. If you’re not sure whether you can win either race you can duck into the Tim Horton’s after the first 500 m, have a refreshing coffee and emerge 30 minutes or an hour later and sprint to victory. This is where you find out if your training for Victoria is on schedule or are your expectations total science fiction. If you are running, don't forget to pick up your race package but do not put the shirt on until after the race. If you are volunteering, know where your station is and don't forget there is a rocking volunteer party after the race, pool side at the Howard Johnson. If you are doing neither, grab a big Tim Horton's coffee and stand along the route or at the finish and cheer the runners on.

Next Saturday, the 16th we are going to Gabriola for our morning run to celebrate the end of a great summer. The plan is to take the 9:30 ferry, have a scenic run, and then partake of some lunch and hit the markets. There should be some interesting items this time of year, especially with the harvest coming in. Bastion will pay the ferry fair.

Next Sunday is the Terry Fox Run and in two weeks there is the NALT Run for the Mountain at Westwood Lake. Entry forms are available at Frontrunners, Running Room, Romper Room and other sport facilities. There is also the Juan de Fuca Duathlon if you want to grab a last shot at a multi sport event. Three weeks brings the last MOMAR at Cumberland. This is where you put the two practice runs to the test and get it perfect this time. Finally, its one month to go to the Victoria Marathon/Half/8 K. Info and online registration for all the above in the Events page. Don't forget to clear out your internet cache to view new stuff. I have attached a pdf of an email I just received from a group of intrepid Canadian runners trying to make it across the Gobi Desert this year. It is information on a fundraiser in Victoria offering an exciting slideshow of last years crossing of the Sahara.

The annual dance held in partnership with ROC is going to be a Halloween dance this year, on Oct 27th. Judy Orosz, our Social Director is asking for some support this year in putting up decorations and getting the hall ready. This should involve less than 2 hours light work. If you have some great idea you feel would be perfect for the soiree, you can sit with Judy and the people for ROC and hash out the details over coffee at a brief meeting. Personally, I can’t wait to try on my Marie Antoinette costume. If you can help, email Judy at janddorosz@shaw.ca .

If you have been watching the news lately you might have spotted our Race Director, Darrell Orosz, on television as he practices his day job as a Fire Chief fighting the fire in Manning Park. Sadly, Darrell and Judy will be moving up North soon and we will be missing them greatly. We are looking for someone to take on the position of Race Director for this year’s Cedar 12 K on Feb. 11th. Darrell has introduced such efficiency and organization to the job that the race practically runs itself. All the various committee heads know their jobs off by heart, we have our own equipment, the food is catered, and VIRA provides timing, lots of draw prizes and bibs. The main job is to book the school, the caterer, the ambulance, keep in contact with VIRA and runners who want info, and drive the equipment out to the race in a Budget truck. It is 100 times less time and complications than the Harbour Half because we don’t close down roads and such and we’ve been at this race for a long time. In any event, Darrell will walk you through the process. If you can spare a little time and step up for this job please email me. I don’t have to remind you that the Cedar race provides the vast majority of funds for the club.

Have a great Harbour Half,

Ross