West Vancouver, British Columbia – For the past thirteen years, a growing number of enthusiastic long-distance runners have gathered on the second Saturday of July for a foot-race along the trails of West and North Vancouver. The race is called the Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run, and the fourteenth edition takes place on Saturday 13 July, 2002.

The race started out as a "fun run" with only 8 participants in 1989, when the sport of ultramarathoning (races longer than a 26.2 mile marathon) was in its infancy in Canada. This was long before adventure races like Eco-Challenge and "reality" television shows like Survivor made their mark on modern society. While there are races over distances much longer than the 30 miles covered by the Knee Knacker, not many are tougher. Canada’s largest ultramarathon race takes participants from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove along the 30-mile (48.6 km.) Baden-Powell trail. Runners go up, over, and around the major North Shore mountains – Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour – gaining over 8,000 feet (2,400 m) in elevation along the way.

Over the years, top ultramarathoners from around the world have traveled from afar to challenge themselves in what is referred to as the gnarliest footrace in Canada. However, the great appeal of the race is that it caters to adventure seekers of all levels, and not just the elite competitors. Race participants were selected by lottery in early March, and by the luck of the draw, 175 racers will toe the line on race day. 85 of these runners will be taking part in the race for the first time.

Last year’s second place finisher Eric Langhjelm of North Vancouver was one of those first-time racers last year. Langhjelm is a top-level competitor with a background in road racing and manager of North Shore Athletics in North Vancouver. He got to see the race as both a front-runner and through the eyes of the average participant, staying for many hours at the finish line to watch those behind him achieve their individual goals. "What really impressed me is that everyone is treated like a winner at the Knee Knacker," Langhjelm points out. "At the awards ceremony, every finisher was called up to receive a personalized award – not just the fastest runners. This is an event that celebrates each individual’s victory."

Langhjelm will be back this year, as will defending champion Keith Wakelin of Courtenay. They will be joined up front by promising first-timers Colin Dignum of North Vancouver and Whistler’s Kevin Titus. Both bring impressive road-racing credentials with them, including victories at local marathons like the Victoria International. On the women’s side, course record holder Alexandra Watson of North Vancouver, returns to defend her championship. Also returning is North Vancouver’s Arlene Schieven, last year’s masters champion and overall women’s winner in 2000. They are likely to be challenged by Vancouver’s Jacquie Trudeau and Patricia Jensen of North Vancouver – both veterans of prior Knee Knackers.

A complete schedule of all race activities is available on the Internet at http://www.kneeknacker.com . Interested members of the media are invited and encouraged to attend any or all of the activities. A good opportunity to meet the runners is at the pre-race registration and briefing Friday 12 July, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at North Shore Athletics (#101 – 1200 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver).

Proceeds from this year’s race will benefit the North Shore Rescue Team.

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For further information contact:

Enzo Federico
Co-Race Director
Tel  (604) 988-0694
Fax (604) 988-5694
E-mail: Registration@kneeknacker.com