Hey all,
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!
Its been a while since I got an update out from what has been happening in the West Coast ultra world.
2013 has been a benchmark year for Canadians all across the country and living abroad. Numerous records from trail to road to multiday have gone down in 2013 and 2014 is lining up to be an even better year.
Likely the most notable Canadian story for 2013 is the emergence of Rob Krar. For those that don't know, Rob is a Canadian currently living in Flagstaff, Arizona. His resume for 2013 includes wins at the UROC 100km in Colorado, Leona Divide 50 miler in California and The North Face Endurance Challenge 50 miler a few weeks ago in San Francisco. He also was 2nd place at the Western States 100 miler in a blazing 15h22m and torched the FKT for the Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim by over 30 minutes (which was previously held by Dakota Jones). He is basically a shoe in to win the UltraRunning Magazine UROY which would make him the 1st Canadian Male to earn that distinction.
Rob ran for Canada at the 2012 World Mt Running Championships in Italy and has expressed interest in both the World Road 100k and World Trail Championships. With his speed and talent I expect to see him at one of these next IAU races contending for a podium position if not the win.
Beverley Anderson-Abbs who currently resides in Red Bluff, California but is a native Calgarian won the Headlands 100 Miler and Rodeo Beach 50km (both in California) after her showing at the 2013 World Trail Championships in Wales.
Mel Bos returned from some injury issues to take 9th place in a very strong field at the North Face 50 in San Francisco a few weeks ago and is in final preparations for the HURT 100 in mid January.
Stacey Cleveland won the inaugural Sun Peaks 50km in September just outside Kamloops after leading the Canadian women to a 4th place finish at the World Trail Championships (coming 7th female). A few weeks later she fought through stomach issues to take the bronze medal at the Canadian 50km Trail Championships at the Run for the Toad.
Stacie Carrigan closed off an impressive debut season with a strong 2nd half of the year. After finishing 13th female at the World Championships Stacie took 3rd place at the Squamish 50km, won the Canadian 50km Trail Championships by becoming only the 2nd female to break 4 hours, finished 3rd at the Lesotho Ultra Trail 55km which was the first SkyRunning UltraMarathon held on the African continent and then 2 weeks later ran 2nd place and under the old course record at the Deception Pass 50km near Seattle. Of note at this race the Canadian women swept the podium with Vancouver's Alicia Woodside taking the title in 4h39m, Stacie was 4h41m and North Vancouver's Lisa Polizzi was 5h00m. For good measure Gibson, BC's Meghan Molnar was 4th in 5h01m.
Canadian men also went 1/2 at the Deception Pass 50km with Victoria's Matt Cecil taking the title and 3rd fastest time ever in 4h15m and Vancouver's Hozumi Nakai took 2nd in 4h22m.
At the Canadian 50 Mile Trail Championships in Whistler Barry Young ran an impressive 6h11m holding off multiple time Canadian Team member Hassan Lotfi-Pour who ran a 6h18m in claiming the silver. Liz Miyashita ran away with the women's title easily crossing the line in 8h08m.
All the best to you and your families over the holiday season and happy trails for a great 2014!
Ryne Melchor
Provincial Director
British Columbia