Remembrance Day Trail Run

In Flanders Fields

John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders Fields.

We have the privilege of running on trails in a country that we rally do take for granted. 

On one day of the year, November 11th, we are reminded to give tribute to those who put there lives in harms way to keep our country and way of life safe.

One of our regular trail runners, Barb N., a few years ago recited 'In Flanders Fields' after a run on a November 11th morning. 

A small thing that made me, and I am sure the others present, a reminder to be proud of what we have everyday in Canada, freedom of choice, expression and a constitution that is for the "we" not the "me".

The poem is so simple, but has the beauty and rage that must have been inside field surgeon, Major John McCrae, that day on the battle field in Belgium in 1915.

Please take time to read it a couple times and give thanks to those who served our country.

See you on the trails.

Champagne and Mars Bar Run 2017

Thanks to all of the trail runners who ventured out on a cold wet morning to run the Komoka Trail.
I also want to thank everyone for NOT parking in the pay for use parking area.
We protest with our feet, park free and run in!
A very big thank you to Al and his wife Sally who invited the entire crew back to their beautiful home that borders on to the park.
(I am sure after we all left they said they would never - ever do that again)

Just when you thought it was safe!!

Deer Tick from Kains Woods Rune Wednesday Evening October 25

Yes, it may be October but ticks don't read calendars.

This was found after our run on Wednesday evening and was taken to our vet to see if it was a harmless brown tick or the lyme carrying deer tick.

Well, it is a deer tick.

So, please keep watch when you finish running to see if you have picked up any passengers.

I must go now, as I think this would be best set free on my wifes pillow.

Champagne and Mars Bar Run

This Saturday, October 28th at Komoka Trail, is the annual season ender: The Champagne and Mars Bar Run.
Please park on Oxford Street just east of Woodhull Road. This is a wide shoulder and there is parking allowed. We will run into the trail from here, about 200 meters or so.
Feel free to bring along other munchies to add to the mix.
Start time 8:01 am

Vulture Bait 2017 Results

Thank you to all of you who ran the race and volunteered to make this a very successful event....again.
Pictures will be posted soon.
For now here are the finish results.

DOWNLOAD LINK FOR 25K

DOWNLOAD LINK FOR 50K

Pictured here with some old grey haired stalker is Erika B. who finished her first ultra, completing the 50k in 5:39.14 and is one of our Soiled Sport regulars.

Vulture Bait 2017 - Sold Out

St.Thomas 2 Port Stanley via Elgin Trail

It's hard to believe that it has been three...YES...three months since we did the Elgin Trail Run from St.Thomas to Port Stanley.
Just scroll back to the June posting to see the pictures taken along the rail, no wonder we return.
Again we will meet at 184 Sunset Drive in St. Thomas, as the trail head we will go in on is just behind these buildings.
GOOGLE MAP LINK
There is a gas station and a restaurant in this plaza and we park just on the south side.
It is about 20 km from White Oaks to give you an estimated drive time required.
As before we will figure out the logistics when we find out how man are running the St.Thomas to Port and those (like myself) who will drive to the arena in Port Stanley and hike in for an out and back trail hike.
REMEMBER...this is a self supported run, so please carry water and anything else you need to do a very hilly 16+ km trail run.
And if you run behind Terry you will do more hills than the rest. Just sayin!

Please have a change of shoes and clothes that you want at the end of the run or hike so the person(s) doing the shuttling back will not end up with a car that smells like a trail runners gym bag.
Also, a number of people have stayed in Port to have brunch, so that may be an option to consider.

For those who wish to stay close to home, Kains Woods is the option. (Medway is closed to us this weekend due to a big Pow Wow)