West Vancouver, British Columbia – For fourteen years now, 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 fifteenth edition takes place on Saturday 12 July, 2003.

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. By the luck of the draw, 175 racers will toe the line on race day. 91 of these runners will be taking part in the race for the first time.

This year’s race will see the crowning of new champions, as 2002 winners Colin Dignum of North Vancouver and Vancouver’s Jacquie Trudeau both are missing from the field. Competition up front should be fierce however, as last year’s second place women’s finisher, Patricia Jensen of North Vancouver, has been looking strong in training this spring. Jensen will be challenged by 1999 champion Alana Prociuk of Vancouver. North Vancouver’s Kristin Fox, winner in the masters (over 40 years of age) division last year, is also expected to be in contention.

In the men’s division, second-place finishers from both the past two races are entered. 2001 runner-up Eric Langhjelm of North Vancouver and Whistler’s Kevin Titus are expected to battle up front. Titus also took the masters crown last year in a course-record time for men over 40 years of age. Keith Wakelin of Courtenay, masters and overall champion in 2001, is also back looking for another victory. Wakelin, a perennial top-ten finisher, is hoping to finish the race for the tenth time, a feat accomplished by 11 athletes to date. Two other entrants are also up for their tenth Knee Knacker finish – Brian VanOene of Kelowna and Delta’s Sally Marcellus. Marcellus would become the first female to reach this milestone.