Howdy y’all. We’re full on in the season of Almost-Spring. You know, winter in the morning (ice and possible snow flurries) and then spring by afternoon (snow and mud). Soon enough it will be full on mud.
In the spirit of Almost-Spring, I’ve been thinking about my summer racing plans. Okay, more like my lack of summer racing plans. Because I’m so remote and have to travel far and wide to races I’m just not feeling the racing travel love.
I’ve decided to race close to home and will maybe just do a few out-of-town races, or not. We have some decent races up here, except 3 of them are ones I help with so I don’t get to run them. But, the ultra-cool news is that I wanted another local race so I’ve hit up the rec department and we’re going to host a mountain run! I’m not going to miss running this one because it’s in the mountains and there is nothing more beautiful than running with caribou in the mountains with your dog.
Because we have no idea how many people may show up and we’re not really sure how the logistics of a remote race are going to work, we’re making it free! We want folks to come out and run and provide input as to how to make it an even more super awesome event next year. Oh and there will be no swag. That’s right, no stuff. No race shirt, no medals, no water stations, and you have to time yourself. Boy, I’m not selling this one very well.
You will get to see views like this (hopefully with less snow).
There will be some perks, such as: water and snacks at the finish line, you can bring your dog, and the Parks guy promised he’d chase the grizzly bears away – I’m serious.
This is going to be awesome! Come on, it’s in the mountains, it’s gorgeous and shouldn’t running be about running, not the swag?
In case any of you want to travel north and see some stunning mountains and wildlife, you can register here (remember it’s free). It all happens on June 20. It might cost you a little bit in airfare, but if you get yourself here, I promise I will drive you to the race – it’s a beautiful 1.5 hour long drive – as long as you don’t mind Kobi kisses. She likes to kiss passengers.
Would you test out our mountain race? Ever run with caribou? How about grizzlies? Is it springtime where you live?
March 24, 2015 at 8:35 pm
If only……….
March 25, 2015 at 9:02 am
Maybe the race will grow and we can get the local airline to give some free flights and then it might be possible.
March 24, 2015 at 9:06 pm
Kobi, caribou and grizzlies…this race is gonna sell out. Wicked awesome!
March 25, 2015 at 9:03 am
It just doesn’t get any better does it! I hope we get lots of folks out and then we can make it even better next year!!
March 24, 2015 at 11:28 pm
Wow, this sounds so amazing….and tempting!
March 25, 2015 at 9:04 am
It will be amazing! Maybe it will get so popular it will become a destination race! I can’t wait to do some test runs out there in the upcoming months. I’ll post lots of photos and tempt you even more!!
March 25, 2015 at 10:30 am
For some reason I thought you were in Alaska, Angie, and I was thinking passport update, if I ever start thinking of this. Then I noticed Northern BC. Please do send pictures when you do your test runs. This year already, June is pretty heavy with some speaking engagements and some runs already registered. But you never know. This sounds incredible! Your gravatar picture almost looks like Atlin. BC. The furthest north in BC I have been is taking the train to Prince Rupert, and a ferry up into Alaska. It was 30 years ago (sort of ages me…LOL) But I love BC. 🙂
~Carl~
March 25, 2015 at 10:38 am
Atlin is beautiful. My gravatar photo is from Tumbler Ridge (Emperors Challenge – epic mountain run). That one is in August. You’d like that one too! I bet that ferry ride from Rupert to Alaska was beautiful. I took the ferry from Port Hardy to Rupert and survived the worst storm ever. It was a horribly nauseating trip, but beautiful. I’m pretty partial to this province. A lot of diverse landscapes.
March 27, 2015 at 12:52 am
Yeah Angie, there is a fair bit of open water from Prince Rupert south. Definitely not an enjoyable trip for you. The Alaska route is quite sheltered. I love the Alaska ferries, in that they have a solarium on top, with heaps of lounge chairs. I was in my 20’s at the time, and you meet people from all over the young. At night you throw your sleeping bag on the lounge chair, and that is where you crash for the night. 🙂
I did check out The Emperors Challenge. Really a long running event, 17 years now running. Sounds incredible. 🙂
March 27, 2015 at 7:00 am
I’m going to have to check out the Alaska ferries for sure! Emperor’s started out as just a small local event but is capped at 1000 now. Some very very talented runners race it too! It’s a very cool race. Very friendly crowd.
March 25, 2015 at 6:50 am
A race like that sounds awesome. Those low key, just for fun ones are the best. As I am sure are Kobi kisses.
March 25, 2015 at 9:06 am
I like low key races too. I want the experience to be epic though!! Kobi kisses are pretty awesome.
March 25, 2015 at 10:25 am
Sounds incredible. Not sure Bandit will like the caribou.
March 25, 2015 at 10:33 am
Understandable, they are a bit big.
March 25, 2015 at 3:42 pm
Awesome that you won’t have to travel! Kobi and her sister are so adorable. Love it!
March 25, 2015 at 7:33 pm
I will likely do a little travelling, like maybe 1 or 2 races tops. Nothing like last year, that was too much. Kobi and her sister are so sweet. I just love seeing the two of them together. They never forget.
March 26, 2015 at 7:39 pm
Kobi has a sister?! Your race sounds like a good time, maybe one day. (;
March 26, 2015 at 7:55 pm
She does! I had the two of them for about 3 weeks before I found a home for Caribou and decided to keep Kobi. I adopted their brother out within a few days of finding them. He was black. It’s quite a ways to come up so I totally understand. You’ll get to see lots of photos!
March 29, 2015 at 12:18 pm
I would LOVE to come do your mountain race. Down here we call those “fat ass challenges” and they bring out the coolest people who just love to run for the sake of adventure. Maybe some day!
By the way, those double trouble puppy sisters 🙂 so cute!
March 29, 2015 at 7:33 pm
I may have to rename my race!! It will be fun and I’m looking forward to see who all shows up. Maybe it will get so popular we can get sponsors and provide a travel package to a lucky winner one day!!
The puppy sisters are trouble! I just love seeing them together. They love each other so much and always will. They just never forget.
March 30, 2015 at 12:25 am
Sounds like just my sort of race, only too far away. I love low key races in great scenary, run just for the love of running. Hope it goes well.
March 30, 2015 at 8:52 am
The distance is a bit of a challenge isn’t it! I’m hearing that lots of people like the low key races so maybe it will be a hit! You can’t beat the scenery!!
April 7, 2015 at 4:23 pm
What a cool idea! If you do get the free airfares sorted out, let me know! Come to speak of it, how would one get to where you are? What airport would we fly to?
April 11, 2015 at 7:25 am
I will for sure let you know if we get some free airfare. Lots of people are signing up – I’m kind of freaking out and also totally stoked! The easiest way to fly here is to get yourself to either Vancouver, BC or Calgary AB. There’s a smaller local airline that flies out of those cities to us.
October 21, 2015 at 9:35 am
Amazing blog 😊, we are so jealous, where we’re from you have to drive at least 6 hours to reach mountains and the most dangerous animal is actually old_dog ….
October 21, 2015 at 9:39 am
Thanks so much! I’m due for a post soon as there have been many more adventures! I feel pretty lucky being so close to so many ‘remote’ and wild places!