Here comes Santa Claus!

Well December is upon us & so that means the Solstice approaches!! December 21 is coming up quick!  Hope your training has been going well & you are ready to rumble on the shortest day of 2011.  I ran the loop around the lake yesterday & am happy to report that the ground is softish from all the rain but not completely wrecked.  I will keep you posted as the date approaches.

 I have had some inquiries about an early start to the full and we are considering it, but I would like your input.  If you would prefer an early start please email me & let me know so I have an idea of the number - Angela - beasknee@gmail.com

I also would just like to take the opportunity to remind you that if you are planning to run this you need to let me know & you need to remember that this is a super low key event.  We have an aid station once every 10km (that's where the loop begins or ends or.. well, it meets up with the picnic table) Anyhoo - you should bring your own hydration pack - it can be filled @ the aid station but if you need more along the way, it is your responsibility.  We will have a few things to munch @ the aid station & there is a washroom too!

Also - this is a public park with an open trail so you will be sharing the trail with walkers & other runners & dogs & maybe even some bikers - just sayin'.  It is a groomed trail - stroller friendly with roots & rocks, but not completely flat & one pretty substantial incline that you do twice.

We will hopefully have a few gifties & there will be some super yummy chili & treats @ the finish & maybe I can scratch together a couple of sponsors - you never know

So there ya go - as the rocks in the lake say - peace, cherish...

looking forward to the 21st - see all you fullers & 1/2ers & anyone else - 

$5 suggested donation plus some canned goods - 9am start - 8:30 registration - oh brother - what AM I forgetting? Medals - oh yeah we got em!

PS  http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/canada/bc/nanaimo/coast_bastion/overview

This is the Coast Inn info - they are not a sponsor but a nice hotel - some one requested the info - if you need a place to stay.  There are also a lot of motels on the old island highway & a nice guesthouse right downtown -  http://www.paintedturtle.ca/

2011 Race Date!

This year's event was so successful we think we'll do it again!!

So -
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
- 9 a.m. start
details will be posted as the date approaches but it should be pretty much the same - although my daughter who will be 10 by then (pttt, pttt, pttt) would like a kids race aspect - SO we are considering this lofty addition. But until then - have a great 2011

(click to older posts to learn more about this event)

2nd Annual Solstice Marathon results!

As a runner, I know that each race I run has its own character & story for me. My story differs from the runner trying to qualify for Boston. And each time I run an event, it holds a different story for me. Yesterday I found out that an event as a whole can have its own story.
Last year we had 3 full finishers, one a man who wanted to run a private marathon to celebrate his 4oth birthday, we also had a bevvy of runners who came out for 6 km & made it a wonderful social event.
This year that we had 4 competitors who have run against each other often & were delighted for the chance to do so again. It was a perfect day for a run, though it did get a tinge windy toward the end. We had 2 people complete the half & 4 full finishers, a smattering of different distances. And, we had chili!
We again gathered several bags of food & over $50, this year for the 7-10 club. I must say that I find hosting this event very satisfying - a small personal event that benefits a local charity & stops the Christmas madness, giving people a chance to be outside & away, even if for a few minutes. Remembering community, celebrating nature, saying goodbye to the old year - all in a beautiful setting & with vegan chili!! (I know, again with the chili!)
Alrighty - enough of that & on to the results!

2nd Annual Solstice Marathon Results

Overall winner & new course record holder -
Bradley Holmes - 3:39:23
Jim Morton - 4:13:17
Rob McWilliam - 4:25
James Griffin - 4:26

1/2 marathon winner -
Jenna Greenhill - 2:28 * Jenna is our only streaker so far, having run the 1/2 both years!
2nd place finisher -
Deidre Glaros - 2:47







1st place runner - Bradley Holmes with 2nd place finisher Jim Morton

race bling!

Although this is still a small event, we could not do it without the help of some wonderful volunteers & community sponsors! So a big shout out to the following for all their help!

The Running Room & Mike Thibodeau - for the prizes & power bars & bibs

Dr. Joe Foglia @ Island Optimal - for post race A.R.T. (Active Release Therapy)

Neil & Beatrix Gallagher - for that mighty tasty chili!

To all our aid station volunteers - DJ, Catherine, Alan, Bev, Dr. Joe, Kristy & Laurie (& Darwin)

We hope to see you next year @ the 3rd annual Winter Solstice Marathon!! Happy Holidays!

9 days!

Winter Solstice is upon us!

As we hustle & bustle to do our holiday errands, don't forget the wonderful break in the chaos offered by the

2nd annual Westwood Lake Winter Solstice Marathon

And if you have not been able to train as much as you like you can run 6km, or 10 km, or 22 km (our half). Come on out next Tuesday - December 21st - race starts @ 9am - but come early to register.
Cost is only $5 (cash only) & a couple of canned goods.
This is a small scale, low key, good time kinda event because we like to run, we like Westwood lake, we like to give, we need a break.....

Help Out - VOLUNTEER

If you would like to volunteer - please let me know - we could use the help for sure! Stay an hour or til the cows come home (ok, honestly, I think I am playing the part of the cows this year - expecting a really really really slow under trained for marathon but you can look @ it this way, you are pretty much guaranteed NOT to be last!! Actually @ this point in time, I can guarantee you a top 10 finishing position if you run the full!!)

Contact me @ beasknee@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing you there to run or walk or cheer!

Marathon Blues?

Feeling disappointed with your fall marathon results? Feeling great after your fall marathon? Don't wanna "waste" all that training??

Well, kiddies, now you don't have to with the

2nd Annual Winter
Solstice Marathon!

You have 11 weeks - ok well something like that coz I always seem to count wrong - BUT the point is you have gobs of time to gently start up then add to your training or what the heck - bump up your training - but what fun to run a marathon in winter around & around & around a lake with no pressure to qualify for anything.....

See below for more info or contact me

Angela Frye
beasknee@gmail.com

put - Solstice Marathon - in your subject line
thanks & hope to see you out there!

Volunteers are needed too!

Back to School!

Mark this day on your calendar
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
9am @ Westwood Lake, Nanaimo, B.C. Canada

2nd annual Solstice Marathon!!

1 multi- use aid station - last year we had hot cocoa, I'm just sayin'

cheap cheap entry - $5 & some canned goods - goes to local food bank & covers cost of aforementioned aid station (see the thing is, you run around in circles, over & over again, so the 1 aid station works!)

Prizes & Medals & Snax - oh my!

The route will be similar (if not exactly the same) as last year - 2 6.1 laps around the lake, including that big ol cliff like hill! Whoo Whoo! & 3 out & backs to the 5 km marker!

Other shorter distances will be available - TBA

But come on out for fun & food & sharing & winter caring

Questions?

contact me:
Angela Frye
beasknee@gmail.com

hope to see you there