Arlen Redekop photos, The Province / Alexandra Watson collapses in the arms of husband James after setting a new mark for women.

ABOVE: Men's champion Keith Wakelin exults as his victory becomes apparent on the approach to the finish line in Deep Cove.

LEFT: Women's champion Alexandra Watson gets support from a few comfortable spectators during her record-breaking run.

(Jacquie) Trudeau

Simply climbing a mountain isn't tough enough for some people.

On Saturday, Jacquie Trudeau and 174 other intrepid athletes set out to climb up and run down three mountains during the 13th annual Knee Knacker North Shore Trail Run, ranked as one of North America's 10 toughest races by Running Wild magazine.

Last year, in her first Knee Knacker, Trudeau finished only 90 seconds behind women's champion Arlene Schieven.

"I was hesitant before my first Knee Knacker because it's well known to be a very hard race," says Trudeau. "I was put on a waiting list (only 175 people can race) and I trained for it not knowing whether I would actually get to do the race. I got into the race one week before race day.

"As soon as I finished my first Knee Knacker, I knew that I would do another one."

But Trudeau discovered Saturday how hard the race can be when you're not feeling your best -- she didn't finish.

Alexandra Watson of North Vancouver was the first woman across the finish line. She broke the previous women's record by one second with a time of five hours, 45 minutes and 35 seconds. Keith Wakelin of Courtenay won the men's race in 5:21:42.