Notes from Bastion Ross: Sad But True

Dear Bastion

By now most of you will have heard the sad news that the annual Bastion/ROC dance has been cancelled. Contrary to rumours it has nothing to do with space aliens, bad feng shui or the new income trust laws. Too many people were playing the popular "how late can I leave buying tickets?" game and the directors of both organizations flinched first as they might get stuck with huge costly bills if they went forward. All those who bought tickets will get a full refund. If you bought tickets at Frontrunners grab me when you see me or email me to arrange repayment. Don't panic if I'm not at the lake Saturday. I haven't moved to St. Kitts yet. I would need at least 2.75-3 million for that. Not that I have the given the matter any thought at all. No, I will be at breakfast I promise you unless I'm eaten by bears. However, we shall move ahead and I'm sure something will come by next year to replace it. There's still the New Years Run and Dip to look forward to, and before you know it the Cedar 12 K and then summers right around the corner.
Speaking of breakfast, we will be moving to Charlies, downtown at 123 Commercial St., for breakfast this Saturday. The Husky is just too popular at the moment, so we will shop around for another venue. Someone phone Bill and Bob. If you know someone who is a good cook tell them there is a shortage of big places in Nanaimo you can get a reasonable breakfast at the moment, so now's the time to open up a restaurant serving that particular need. There is a pdf map attached with directions.
Robin Dutton at Arrowsmith Bikes is starting a Monday evening at 6:30 wind trainer session at the store starting this Monday. Have to have your own bike and wind trainer but he does have rent to own trainers available. Cost is free which is up most people's alley. I think that Robin just doesn't want to train alone. pdf info attached and in Clinics Page. Contact Robin at ride@arrowsmithbikesnan.com or phone 758-6675 for more info.
Last Sunday saw the classic Shawnigan Lake Half Marathon with a lean and smart group taking advantage of the last good weekend of the fall it seems. Leading of was Bernard, who took 7th overall, 5th in his age group. Robin Arbuthnot snagged 18th overall, 3rd in his age group with Kent Williamson taking 5th in his age group. Julie Greenhill and Brian Foley shared the best day results of 1st in their age division. Dennis Frey came in tenth in a tough age group. In fact every Sluggie who showed finished in the top ten. Not bad. Even Jon Bird from Carrot on the Run came in 4th in his division and Donna Spencer and Gwen Frey from Women's Pace finished 6th and 7th in theirs to complete a clean sweep of Nanaimo runners. Attendance seems to have fallen in half since 2001 when they had around 460 runners and now its around 240. I'm not exactly sure why. Probably too many halves this time of year.
This Sunday at 1:00 pm is the Bill English Cross Country at Colliery Dam put on by the Nanaimo Track Club. It will be a 5 K race for us but there is a 3.75, a 2.5 and a 1.25 K course for the kids. Cost is a very reasonable $6 or $3 is you are a elementary or high school student or a BC Athletics member.
Next Sunday is the Thetis Lake Relay down South at Thetis Lake. You can do the whole 20 K yourself or share the joy with a relay team. Details and online registration in the Events Page.
Next Sunday is also the National Cyclo Cross Race at Beban. You can stroll on down and see how the best take on the mud and the obstacles or you can get even closer by volunteering. Just email Norm at normont@island.net and you will get a front row view on the excitement that you probably won't see in Nanaimo for some time.
The Women's Pace Run Wild 5 & 10 K goes on November 26th at North Oyster Elementary School out in Cedar. Donna is back and getting things on track so if you're a women this is a race you would want to consider doing. The race will be in support of the Haven Society. There are details in the Events Page but the online registration doesn't seem to be up yet. There are registration forms at Frontrunners though. If you want to volunteer you can catch Donna at the store or phone her at 856-9453.
Bastion has received an email from an intrepid bunch of ultra runners who are hoping to race the Gobi Desert in June 2007. They are coming to Nanaimo on November 30th at the Malaspina University/College Theatre to give a talk and slide show on the Sahara race that they have done. Ticket sales will help them finance their upcoming quest with some of the proceeds going to the CBCF. You can purchase tickets at Frontrunners. pdf info is attached.

Thanks,
Ross

Dear Bastion

Sorry, the Thetis Lake Relays and the National Cyclo Cross race are on Saturday, November 11th, not Sunday.

Ross