A hectic pace on Saturday's trail run

 On the paved section of trail at Gibbons Park River Trail, we came across a snapping turtle looking for a race.

Unfortunately for Siri and I he could set a blistering pace and left us in his dust.

Meadowlilly Trail March 28th

 

Soiled Sport Trail Running 2026 Schedule

 March 28- Meadowlilly Trail

April 4- Fanshawe Lake Trail

April 11- Kains Woods East Trail @ Warbler

April 18- Gibbons Park Trail

April 25- Westminster Ponds (Big Muddy)

May 2- Komoka Park Trails

May 9- Medway Forest Trail

May 16- Kains West @ Westdell Bourne

May 23- Meadowlilly Trail

May 30- Kains Woods East @ Warbler

June 6- Gibbons Park Trail

June 13- Westminster Ponds (Big Muddy)

June 20- Komoka Park Trails

June 27- Medway Forest Trail

July 4- Kains West @ Westdell Bourne

Its -25C for Saturdays run, so coffee was a must afterwards

 

All Men Dream, But Not Equally - T.E. Lawrence

Winter Trail Run Schedule

 Our winter hiatus trail runs will be as usual at the Museum of Ontario Archeology, 1600 Attawandaron Rd, London, ON 

Located off of Wonderland Road north, the Medway Forest Trail has a bit of everything, hills, water crossings and is an out and back course.

We opt for this location as it offers a parking lot that gets snow plowed, saving us from having to push stuck vehicles before or after our run.

When the museum has special functions we will be required to park out side of the parking area on the street, but most functions happen later in the day.

Google Map Link

Distance is approximately 8km

Start time: 8:01

Champagne and Mars Bars Trail Run

 For close to 30 years, our Champagne and Mars Bar Trail Run brings out those who will show up for cheap chocolate and booze.

Thanks to all for another fun year.

Charlie's Tree Memorial

 Charlie's Tree Memorial

The picture shows a tree along side a seldom used trail in Komoka Park, with memorial items left by fellow trail runners of their trail running canine companions.

This memorial was found by accident one evening during one of our Wednesday evening trail runs, probably 15 years ago.

There was a letter in a plastic sleeve along with a dogs collar nailed to the backside of the tree.

It was a sad letter from a dog owner whos trusty pup named Charly, who passed away.

It told of how he and Charly made weekly walks and runs on the Komoka Trails.

The letter has long since dissolved away, but the collar is still there.

Since finding this shrine, myself and a number of other Soiled Sport pet owners, have also enshrined our pets collars, leashes and ashes at this secret spot when our running companions died.

The side trail that the tree is located near is seldom used and unless you know where to look you would probably pass by and not see a thing.

Our 2025 Champagne and Mars Bar run on November 1st, will offer trail markers to those wishing to stop and pay respects to the four legged trail runners.

Want to join in?

Here is a google map link to where we park to start our Champagne and Mars Bar Trail Run

Google Map Link

Trail Running Expectations vs The Reality

 

Elbows UP at Meadowlily Trail Season Opener

Season Opener at Meadowlily Trails

Lots of new home construction taking place across from the trails, so London's best kept secret trail will soon be flanked by another subdivision.

But it was still a great trail run morning, the trails were not as muddy as one would expect.

Three draw prizes were awarded after the run. 

The lucky winners of laser crafted gifts were Carl, Cathy and Richard.

April 5th trails will be at Fanshawe Lake Trails, starting at the trail head at the end of Sunningdale Road at the entrance to Fanshawe Golf Course. 

Start time is 8:01 AM

South Park The Great Wall of Canada Clip

Elbows Up Canada

 

In hockey, "elbows up" is a signal to stand your ground when an opponent plays dirty.

Well, with recent actions by our neighbor to the south, this is our rallying call yet remain polite about it.

Trump Announces the all new - 2025 Ford Lump

 

Just what you need to cruise around town in style.

It's true!

Ford has announced the launch of the all new 2025 Ford Lump.

Inspired by the president elect of the United States, Donald J. Trump ...who wants to Make Automobiles Great Again

Mr.Trump hopes to do for Ford what Hitler did for Volkswagen, and create the new 'peoples car'.  

Features galore!

• Cup holders for 6 super sized big slurpee's
• 2 Gun racks
• V7 engine that runs on leaded fuel only
• Lazy Boy recliner seating
• Under seat storage for adult diapers
• Double wide units available for the growing family
• Limited Edition "The Trump Lump" comes in Fools Gold exterior paint and red velvet upholstery  

Champagne and Mars Bar Trail October 26, 2024

 A good turnout on a beautiful fall morning to do a trail run. 

We know you only show up so you have an excuse to have cheap booze and chocolate at the end.

As for Saturday morning trail runs we will now do our winter hiatus and stick to the Medway Forest Trails. 

For those new our very forgetful, we use the Medway Trail as our winter route, since the parking lot is maintained during the winter months, so we don't have to worry about pushing cars out of snow drifts.

 

2024 Soiled Sport Trail Rotation Starts March 23rd

Start Time - 8:01 AM

Distance - Approximately 10km for the full loop, but can be cut short if you need to be meeting with your parole officer

Google Link to Meadowlily Trail Start/Finish
 

The Texas Tornado

 One of the nicest persons to join our Soiled Sport Trail Running Group, Richard Darling, passed away last week.

Richard was 86 and was trail running until just a few years ago and always was a joy to chat with, as his stories of growing up in Texas would have you in stitches. 

To say I / we will miss him is an understatement.

Fond memories and telling of some of his stories told on trail runs will be shared for years to come, I am sure.

The following is his obituary as posted in the LFP.

At 86, Richard Irvin Darling passed quietly in the comfort of his Fox Hollow apartment home in London, Ontario after a challenging journey with ALS, with his loving wife, Violet, at his side. His four sons, James, John, Jerry and Jeff, and their families, celebrate his life and will always be thankful for how he continually found ways to give of himself as a father, supporter and role model. Richard was born in Muldoon, Texas and spent his high school years in Smithville, TX before heading to Baylor University. After History studies at Baylor and receiving his M.Div. at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, Richard pastored at Baptist convention churches across Canada for more than 50 years. In his retirement, he enjoyed running with the Pacers club, competing in the Canadian Masters, watching his grandchildren grow, and creating countless cherished memories with his sweetheart of 61 years.

A celebration of life will take place at 2 pm on April 4 at Westview Baptist Church (1000 Wonderland Rd. S).

 I am sad to report of the passing of Beverly Gribbons, a London runner and an all around lovely person.

Beverly did join us in the early years running trails, but her love was running marathons and just about any road race.

Fond memories of doing the London to Port Stanley training runs many years ago and would tease Ken and I of lagging behind her and Nikki. (we were not lagging, we could just barley keep up)

The obituary can be read via this link: Obituary

Beverly Gribbons Obituary

It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved daughter and sister Beverly Anne Gribbons. She slipped away peacefully as the sun started to shine on the morning of Tuesday February 20th 2024 at 6:55 am at Victoria Hospital in London Ontario after a brief battle with cancer.

Need someone to run with? Join us anytime.

Saturday Rotating Trail  Schedule Starts March 23rd

Meadowlilly Trails

 

 

Something to Sing About