Perseverance Trail Run 2011 Race Report

Photos by Dave Prothero photography


Mother nature was kind to the 230 trail racers who tackled the Perseverance Trail Run this past Sunday, October 30th. The sun was shining and the trails held freshly filled puddles from recent rains making the perfect conditions for a fall trail race! The race was a huge success with all proceeds going directly to the Cumberland Community Forest Society to assist them in working towards their goal of purchasing and protecting additional forest lands in the Cumberland area.

The competition on the new 10k course was fierce with 155 racers and many competitive runners toeing the start line. Racers came from all over Vancouver Island for this years event and there were some great battles on the challenging 10k mountain run.

Top overall results in the 10k mountain run:
Males
51:11 Andrew Howard
52:21 Neil Holm
53:03 Stephan Jacobson

Females
1:02:15 Ceri Jacobson
1:02:53 Kaley Strachan
1:06:07 Bobbie Taylor

68 racers, young and old, tackled the 3k cross-country run through the Cumberland Community Forest trails. This years race included more ups and downs than previous years but that didn't slow down the racers!

Top overall results for the 3k cross-country run were as follows:
Males
13:47 Matthew Salmon
14:10 Berend Henkel
15:03 Ross Lamon

Females
17:30 Jane Johnson
18:08 Montana Mosher
18:16 Jessica Reynolds

Extreme Runners and Equilibrium Lifestyle Management (ELM) co-organized this annual fundraising event along with fantastic support from Comox Valley volunteers and sponsors. A huge thank you goes out to nearly 60 wonderful and enthusiastic volunteers who donated their time and energy before, during and after this years race. A special thank you goes to the Comox Valley Search and Rescue and St. John Ambulance teams who spent the day watching over each and every racer on the course.

This years race, once again held on Halloween weekend, brought out great costumes including everything from the Grim 'Sweeper' to Gem and a Jailbird'. Dozens of fantastic draw prizes were awarded including fresh donuts from the Cumberland Village Bakery for the best costumes. With close to 40 draw prizes donated from local business' many racers left with big smiles at the end of the day. A very big thank you to this years prize sponsors: Valhalla Pure, Riding Fool Hostel, Seeds Market, Darkside Chocolates, Zen Zero, Mosaic Vision, Lotuswear, Comox Valley Acupuncture, Ascent Physiotherapy, Active Comox Valley, HiTech, My Tech Guys, Jim Smiley of Remax, Extreme Runners and ELM.

The following community sponsors generously supported the race and helped to make this years event a great success: Thrifty Foods, Tim Hortons, Mudsharks Coffee, Fiesta Quest, ABC Printing, Hi Tech, nrichmedia, Odlum Brown, Mosaic Vision, Comox Valley Record. Landowners including the Village of Cumberland & Recreation, CCFS, Timberwest and Hancock.

A complete list of results as well as race day photos are posted at www.perseverancetrailrun.com .

Overall the race was a huge success so mark your calendars for next year October 28th 2012!