The Whistler bears have not yet gone into hibernation. Every runner in the inaugural running of the Whistler 50 had a bear story. Fortunately, the bears were not interested in the runners and nobody missed a step (well ... maybe a few steps). The course was designed to be a fast course and the runners delivered with the lead changing hands in very close contests in both the men's and women's races.
Chris GT Downie of Burnaby won the men's race in 5:52:07 after taking the lead from former three time winner of H2H 100K, Darin Bentley of Surrey who ran 5:55:34. Early leader Sammi Lotfi-Pour of North Vancouver (also a former winner of H2H 100K) was third in 6:24:13.
After telling everyone that she was just going to take it easy, local runner Jenn Segger of Squamish decided that she did in fact feel like racing, winning in 6:31:20 over former H2H 100K winner Nicola Gildersleeve of North Vancouver, who ran 6:37:40. Langley's Suzy VanDyck was third in 7:17:25.
Whistler was the Host Mountain for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Whistler 50 is a certified 50 mile road race consisting of four loops of the course winding through the valley on paved bike trails and groomed cross country ski trails. The Whistler 50 held in conjunction with the Whistler 50 Relay, is the successor race to the Haney Harrison 100K (H2H 100K) which had been held for the previous 14 years.
After the race, the runners unanimously raved about how scenic the course was with the gentle forest trails and spectacular vistas of the surrounding mountains cloaked in a mantle of fresh, white, early season snow. The race started in frosty conditions with temperatures of 27°F (-3°C) giving way to afternoon sunshine and temperatures of close to 40°F (+3°C), but the trails were mostly snow free, contributing to excellent racing conditions. Further, with the frosty conditions and the concern for black ice, the entire paved portion of the trail had been sanded. The runners also commented on how it was impossible to get lost with orange cones positioned every 20 metres for the entire course.
In the weeks leading up to the race, runners training on the course had regularly reported bear sightings, particularly in the area of the Nicklaus North Golf Course. On race day, the bears were numerous. Aid station volunteers at Nicklaus North even referred to one bear as their mascot. We learned that bears are not interested in Clif Shots or chicken soup. However, runners in icy conditions loved the hot chicken soup, so much so that the volunteers had to make an emergency run to the local grocery to replenish the soup supply.
52 starters, 47 finishers
Full results at www.raceheadquarters.com/results/2011/run/W50M2011OA_U.html
Ron Adams RD
Whistler 50 Mile Ultra