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Perseverance Trail Run a big success

Mother Nature was kind to the 230 trail racers who tackled the Perseverance Trail Run on Sunday, Oct. 30.
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CRAZY COSTUMES WERE part of the fun at the fundraising Perseverance Trail Run on Sunday in Cumberland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother Nature was kind to the 230 trail racers who tackled the Perseverance Trail Run on Sunday, Oct. 30. The sun was shining and the trails held freshly filled puddles from recent rains, making the perfect conditions for a fall trail race.

Organizers say the race was a huge success with all proceeds going directly to the Cumberland Community Forest Society to assist them in their goal of purchasing and protecting additional forest lands in the Cumberland area.

The competition on the new 10K course was fierce with 155 racers and many competitive runners toeing the start line. Racers came from all over Vancouver Island for this year's event and there were some great battles on the challenging 10K mountain run.

Top overall results in the 10K mountain run:

Males: 51:11 Andrew Howard; 52:21 Neil Holm; 53:03 Stephan Jacobson

Females: 1:02:15  Ceri Jacobson; 1:02:53 Kaley Strachan;

1:06:07 Bobbie Taylor.

Sixty-eight racers, young and old, tackled the 3K cross-country run through the Cumberland Community Forest trails. This year's race included more ups and downs than previous years but that didn't slow down the racers.

Top overall results for the 3K cross-country run were as follows:

Males: 13:47 Matthew Salmon; 14:10 Berend Henkel; 15:03 Ross Lamon.

Females: 17:30 Jane Johnson; 18:08 Montana Mosher; 18:16 Jessica Reynolds.

"Extreme Runners and Equilibrium Lifestyle Management (ELM) co-organized this annual fundraising event along with fantastic support from Comox Valley volunteers and sponsors," said Sarah Seads of ELM.

"A huge thank you goes out to nearly 60 wonderful and enthusiastic volunteers who donated their time and energy before, during and after this years race.  A special thank you goes to  the Comox Valley Search and Rescue and St. John Ambulance teams who spent the day watching over each and every racer on the course."

This year's race, once again held on Halloween weekend, brought out great costumes including everything from the Grim Sweeper to Gem and a Jailbird. Dozens of fantastic draw prizes were awarded including fresh doughnuts from the Cumberland Village Bakery for the best costumes.  With close to 40 draw prizes donated from local businesses many racers left with big smiles at the end of the day.

"A very big thank you to this year's prize sponsors: Valhalla Pure, Riding Fool Hostel, Seeds Market, Darkside Chocolates, Zen Zero, Mosaic Vision, Lotuswear, Comox Valley Acupuncture, Ascent Physiotherapy, Active Comox Valley, HiTech, My Tech Guys, Jim Smiley of Remax, Extreme Runners and ELM," Seads said.

The following community sponsors generously supported the race and helped to make it a great success: Thrifty Foods, Tim Hortons, Mudsharks Coffee, Fiesta Quest, ABC Printing, Hi Tech, nrichmedia, Odlum Brown, Mosaic Vision, Comox Valley Record. Landowners including the Village of Cumberland & Recreation, CCFS, Timberwest and Hancock.

A complete list of results as well as race day photos are posted at www.perseverancetrailrun.com. "Overall the race was a huge success so mark your calendars for next year – Oct. 28 2012!"

– ELM