Our first stop was the Crows Nest Pass for the Sinister 7 Ultra Race. Cal was on a team of 7 and ran the 2nd leg. It was an awesome experience for Cal and his teammates and myself as well! Considering how many races the kids and I have cheered for Cal in, this was one of my favorites. The vibe and the sheer number of people involved, was nothing short of amazing. The volunteers were fabulous and everything was so well ran. Friday evening began with registration, a catered dinner (delicious!!) and a pre-race meeting for all runners. We also visited the vendors and Cal picked out a commemorative t-shirt. Saturday morning, Cal was up early to see the first runner off and to catch a bus to leg 1/2 transition point. Once the kids and I woke up, we headed to the transition point to see Cal come in and the 3rd runner in the team head out. Each leg had a transition point and at each transition point there was 100's of people cheering on the teams and the soloists and individuals and teams supporting the soloist's in their needs - food, water, change of clothes, medical aid, etc. Each transition point had snacks and drinks for the runners - everything from soup, chili, muffins, and sandwiches to fruit and protein bars!!
Here is a description of the course (from the website):
All distances and elevations have been verified by GPS, foot, mountain bike and quad. Difficulty is based on how hard the leg is in comparison to the other legs of the race (ie: Leg 6 is 7/7 meaning it is the hardest) in our opinions. Every leg of the race is hard.
Distance: 161km - 100mi
Stages: 7 stages ranging from 10.7km to 36.2km (6.65 to 22.49mi)
Elevation: Gain: 5,687m (18,658') / Loss: 5,676m (18,622')
Duration: 30 hours to complete the course
Cal ran the 2nd leg. Here are the details (again, from the website):
Leg 2 - Hastings Ridge
Distance: 16km (9.94mi)
Gain: 937m (3,074')
Loss: 1,110m (3,642')
CPs*: CP2 – 10km
Difficulty: 4/7
Trail Type: Single track, double track, dirt road
Est. Time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Must start: 10:00 hrs (Saturday)
Cutoff: 13:00 hrs (Saturday)
Beginning at the base of Hastings Ridge, runners begin a grueling climb to a rewarding view. Once atop the ridge, you get a view of the entire valley, including Crowsnest Mountain and the Seven Sisters; certainly worth the punishing climb to the top! There is no time for rest as runners drop down the other side and head towards Blairmore to the finish of leg two.
Although Cal has ran numerous 1/2 marathon's and a full marathon, he says nothing compares to the challenge of trail running in the mountains! The track and the elevation gains and losses can make a 'short' run feel like a marathon!! He rocked his leg and we were so excited to see him come down the hill at the end of leg 2 and pass the timing anklet and bear kit onto the next man on the team! Cal and his teammates were at each and every transition point, sleeping a few hours here and there throughout the night and early morning. I stayed in the trailer with the kids, as I didn't think they'd do so well being woke up and then told to go back to sleep and then woken up again ;) As we were packing up on Sunday afternoon (after the brunch), the last of the runner's were coming through (the field that we were camped in was very close to the finish line). We all stood on the side of the road, cheering the last 2 runner's on. I had tears in my eyes, I can not even imagine the emotions of these runners - they were soloist's and had just ran 100 miles in just under 30 hours (if a team or a soloist does not make it in, in 30 hrs or under they are officially disqualified and do not receive a time). Unbelievable. This race was like none I had ever attended and it really made me wish I was a trail runner ... maybe one day?!
Once we were packed up, we headed off to Frank Slide for some sightseeing! The kids were really interested in the history of the Frank Slide.
Stay tuned for part 2 of 4 in our summer vacation :)
~Tracy
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| There's Cal, so close to the finish line of leg 2!! |
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| Super, super proud wife and kids :) |
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| Frank Slide |
