By Ryan Parton
Nearly 300 runners took to the trails of Cumberland May 13 for the second annual running of “The Cumby” trail race. As expected, local runners recorded some impressive results.
This year’s Cumby featured a 23-km race and a 50-km version, the first “ultra” event organized by the Comox Valley Road Runners. The 50k distance was dominated by two young athletes who just may be two of the top trail runners in the country: the Comox Valley’s Darbykai Standrick was the first female finisher and the second overall with a time of 5:35:04, while Nanaimo’s Jeremy Clegg took the overall title, beating Standrick to the finish by little more than five minutes.
“The conditions were fantastic for a trail run,” said Standrick after her impressive finish. “The trails were dry and fast and, more importantly, the volunteers and organizers who put together this race did a phenomenal job.”
In the 23k distance, local favourite Derek Vinge outduelled fellow Comox Valley chiropractor Clay Ward to the finish line, finishing in an impressive time of just 1:46:52. The top four spots were occupied by local runners, with Ward, Graham Forsyth and Cumberland’s Tyler McCallan rounding out the top spots.
On the women’s side, Courtenay’s Sarah Seads took second place in the 23k behind Nanaimo runner Kristin Clarke.
The Cumby, organized by CVRR as a fundraiser for the Cumberland Community Forest Society, attracted runners from across Vancouver Island and even abroad, raising more than $12,000 to help protect Cumberland’s forest lands in the process.
“We’re so privileged to have this amazing recreational area at our disposal,” said co-race director Cathy Clark. “Being able to have a race that not only celebrates it, but also raises funds to help save it, is something that’s very important to our club. We were overwhelmed with the enthusiastic response to our fundraising event from the running community as well as our business sponsors.”
Volunteer co-ordinator Martha Grant acknowledged the group that supported the racers, praising their efforts on the course and at the start/finish line, and the participants themselves seemed all smiles after the race.
“It was absolutely incredible to share the trail with so many other athletes, and witness their determination and gusto,” said CVRR member and Cumby participant Will Scott. “Their goals varied from reaching the podium to simply completing the course, and there were emotional moments in the trials and triumphs of the day. Some battled nagging injuries, others simply fought fatigue, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves out there.”
The cherry on the top, he added, was the post-race treats and enjoying time with old friends and making new ones.