Run For The Toad 25k Trail Race 2010

Printer friendly version Posted on: Monday October 11 04:58:58 PM

I just wanted to post a quick report on The Run For The Toad. This really is a race / event that calls for much more than a quick report. So much to be said about it's organization, support, aid stations, swag bag and great people that attend but my mind is now elsewhere and I am thinking I really need to get back on track with reporting sooner after the events than I have been lately.

Nevertheless, here is a little tale of a big race. About 1100 runners and walkers. 900 in the 25k and 100 in the 50 plus 100 various walkers. And EVERYONE in great spirits and friendly as is the case with the Ultra marathon and trail running scene.

For now, I will tell you, if you have not already heard, it is a fantastic event. The options are 25 or 50 km trail race that repeats a 12.5 km loop which is about 90% trail and 10 percent asphalt. Superb running conditions on a dry day and still manageable in the rain, although trail shoes would have made the rain we experienced a whole lot better.

The loop stars out on hard packed grass along a small lake shore and heads around the lake and into the woods. It is single track trail for a while but wide enough to pass fortunately as a lot of slower runners started way up front.

We then traversed over about a kilometre of asphalt, which was mostly roads and parking areas for the campground. We pass many tents and trailers and finally headed into the woods again where we were met with the steady hills. Beautiful though and so fresh.

The loop winds and turns so often you start to wonder where north is pretty quickly. Or where the start finish area is for that matter. And the hills. about 20 of them up and down, up and down. They were not menacing, except for a couple ,and they were usually brief, about 30-60 seconds to climb or go down, but they were just so persistent. Every bit of flat land was a relief. I am sure there are tougher trail runs out there, but this was no slouch.

The key point to this race was a hill, about 3/4 of a km from the end of the loop. This particular hill was tougher than the rest. Steep, and fairly long at 150 metres. No 150 metres isn't long but when it is grassy, damp and steeper than most hills we tackle, it's a chore. Eveilishly there was a photographer at tthe top making this spot feel like the grim reaper area of the Around The Bay Race.

I made the first loop in my goal time of 1:02:00 as I hoped to finish at 2:05 or better. Then the rain started in and it got to be unsafe to run down the hills too fast, and slippery so turns and uphills were a bit slower. That and my fatigue level having finished off an 80km week and I turned in a 1:07 second loop for a 2:09 total.

I will definitely invest in a pair of trail shoes for future off road races. I was quite envious of those who had theirs on.

The aid stations were great, typical of an Ultra race as they were serving us lowly 25k'ers and the 50km peeps. Water, gatorade, Bananas, M&Ms, gummies, pretzels. All good, especially since I inadvertently missed breakfast (Left my bagel and cream cheese on Starbucks counter!)

Post race, very memorable, full meal with grilled chicken breast, buns, 3 kinds of pasta salads, raw veggies, grilled veggies and crumble pie. Awesome. Unfortunately we were pressed for time and had to hurry off bit the cold afternoon rain didn't really make it too upsetting to rush off. I would ave liked to have been able to wait around to hang out with our friends, Duff, Frank, Bob, Dave, Larry, Martina and several other familiar faces.

So next year, I am going to lobby for a group trip as this is a nice change of pace, scenery and quality of events we do on a regular basis. We won't go there for personal bests, but we will go for a great time.

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