For complete details (including schedule) on the 1999 Knee Knacker training runs, please visit our Group Training Runs page.
No rain on the last group training run before the 1999 Knee Knacker race!
About 25 runners turned up at Deep Cove to shuttle vehicles for a point-to-point run finishing with donuts at Honey's in the Cove.
About half the runners drove back to Grouse Mountain for a 14-mile training run, while the other half started at Lynn Valley to get a 6 mile headstart on the donuts!
A number of runners have attempted the snow portions of the course (miles 4 - 10) in the last few days. Much more success this week, as many volunteers have been putting up hundreds of ribbons to guide the runners. There are still many icy and tricky parts on this section of "trail". Please stay tuned for further updates from the Race Director as the week progresses.
It's starting to sound a bit repetitive, but wet, cold and windy conditions prevailed again, with a thick fog thrown into the mix in the high country. This forced cancellation of the planned training run on the first three-quarters of the trail.
About 25 runners started out at the Hollyburn cross-country ski lodge (mile 10), and headed down to Lynn Creek Suspension Bridge (mile 22.4). Many of those continued on with an out-and back to Hyannis road (mile 25), or the intersection with the Mushroom trail (mile 26.5). The group stayed together through the pea-soup fog and the 3 to 6 feet of snow on the first mile of the run.
Another half-dozen runners (including the race director and a couple of other race committee members) decided to start at Cypress Bowl (mile 7.5) and run the connecting trail for 1.5 miles to the Hollyburn cross-country ski area, and another mile on the ski trails to the lodge. They managed to find the trail, but it was very slow-going. Here are some of their comments:
Many of the trail markers are in tree wells
There are a couple of areas just before you cross the bridge where you have to be careful or you could slide a substantial way down the mountain.
You have to take it slowly and carefully and make sure you have good footing. You can't run this area easily and a stick or ski pole is useful.
Once through there the cross country trails are relatively easy.
The race committee will be meeting this coming week to address the issues of runner safety in the snowfields, and how to adequately mark those sections of trail.
One small group (of just 2 runners) had problems finding the trail markers in the 1.5 mile section between Cypress Bowl (mile 7.5) and the connecting trail to the Hollyburn cross-country ski area. After about 45 minutes looking for trail markers at snow level (or just below!), they decided to go back down to the trailhead, and traverse the paved road to Hollyburn Lodge. About 6 feet of snow at the lodge, but it was quite runnable and gradually cleared after about 3/4 of a mile or so.
Another 10 runners (many with previous Knee Knacker experience) attempted to run the first quarter of the trail, from the start at Eagleridge Drive to Cypress Bowl (7.5 miles). Here are some of their comments:
The snow soon starts after the top (about 4 miles, 3500 feet). Lots of snow still around. My guess is about 3-4 meters. The snow is hard packed and very runnable.
Once you're in the snow the trail is well marked for about 1-mile. After it becomes very difficult. Some of the markers are at snow level. Others are below the snow level and are impossible to find. Our experience today was more of an orienteering experience rather than a training run.
The 10 of us stayed together and tried our best to find all the markers. At times we spread out and yelled out "MARKER" if we ever found one. Having 10 pairs of eyes looking for markers was far more effective than 2 or 3 pairs of eyes.
We made it as far as where the first water station is set up for the race (I think). At that point the markers were impossible to find and we ended going around in circles and getting lost. After about 3 hours, cold, frustrated, and wet, we all made the decision to retrace our foot steps and go back down Black Mtn. Our total time out was around 5 hours.
About 40 runners braved the wet, windy conditions. Not very nice for both Father's Day, and the first official day of summer.
Out-and-back run starting and ending at Panorama Park in Deep Cove (mile 30). A few runners turned around at Lynn Creek Suspension Bridge, making for a 15-mile run. Most runners continued on to either Mountain Highway (19 mile round-trip), St. George's Trail (23 miles), or Mosquito Creek (24 miles).
Rumour has it that Chris Mager completed the first half of the trail (from Eagleridge to Cleveland Dam) the previous day, in just over 3 hours. Quite respectable considering, considering this was through the snowfields on Black, Cypress and Hollyburn Mountains!
A bit of rain to start, but sunny by the end. About 60 runners turned up, with less than four weeks to go till race day.
Out-and-back run starting and ending at the Grouse Mountain parking lot (mile 16). Most runners turned around at either Hyannis road (mile 25), or the intersection with the Mushroom trail (mile 26.5).
A small group of six runners took a stroll up towards Black Mountain from the Eagleridge parking lot on a sunny Thursday evening, to check out the snow levels on the early miles of the Baden-Powell trail.
Turnaround point was the spectacular viewpoint at Eagle Bluff - just under 4 miles into the trail, at an elevation of about 3,500 feet.
Very small patches of snow were encountered up to that point. It looked like there was much more ahead as the trail wound its way back into the forest up to the peak of Black Mountain.
Wet, cool and miserable - a typical June day in Vancouver! Even had a little bit of sunshine and some hail thrown into the mix. About 50 runners turned up for the fun.
Out-and-back run starting and ending at Panorama Park in Deep Cove (mile 30). Most runners turned around at Lynn Creek Suspension Bridge, making for a 15-mile run. Some brave and foolish souls extended the run into the Lynn Headwaters Park before turning back.
Rolly-pollies at Honey's in Deep Cove again, but not a good day to site outside on the patio.
First point-to-point run of the season, starting at Cleveland Dam (mile 15) and ending up at Panorama Park in Deep Cove (mile 30) - the second half of the Knee Knacker race.
About 50 participants on a cool, partly overcast day.
Many a rolly-polly were devoured afterwards at Honey's in Deep Cove - good training for apres-KKNSTR as we will have about 30 dozen made fresh for the finishers on race day!
Original schedule was for out and back run going from Cleveland Dam (mile 15 of race) to Cypress Bowl parking lot (mile 7.5) and back. Changed due to excessive snow in first 10 miles of course.
Revised run was double out and back. First from Cleveland Dam (mile 15) westward to snowline (approx. mile 12.1 - 2,200 feet elevation) and back. Then from Cleveland Dam (mile 15) eastward to St. George's trail (mile 18.6) and back.
Number of participants down to 52 on a beautiful, sunny day in the middle of a long weekend.
Out and back run from the bottom of Grouse Mountain (mile 16 of race) to Lynn Creek Suspension Bridge (mile 22.4) and back.
Race director Paul Quinn and training run coordinator Rod Hatfull led 62 enthusiastic participants.
Training run was revised to follow Powerline from Grouse to Mosquito Creek due to closure of Grouse Grind access. Turnaround point extended to Lynn Headwaters (from Mountain Highway) to make up the difference.
Record number of enthusiastic runners turned up - about 82 or so!
Over half the runners are Knee Knacker "virgins". Another half-dozen are on the waitlist, not having been chosen in the lottery this year.
Everybody was super-keen, maybe too much. Remember to take it easy, as the runs get longer every week. Learn to pace yourselves. For a refresher on how to race (and train for) the race see the Hints and Tips from last year's race information package.
Make sure to carry water and food, and to eat and drink during the run. Do not drink from any of the creeks along the trail - beaver fever runs rampant! For a complete list of what to carry on the trail, see tips from Rod and Paul on the Group Training Runs page.
Fresh snow had fallen down to about the 1,500 elevation on the trail overnight. Good preparation for the many miles (kilometres) that will still be around on race day up at Black Mountain and the Hollyburn X-Country ski trails!
Lots of fun was had by all. Continue to enjoy, and we look forward to seeing you all out every Sunday morning from now till race day.