Here is a track from a run I did up to Grouse Mountain from my apartment in the West End of Vancouver.

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Six Canadian mountain runners will head to Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Mexico, on June 15th for the 5th NACAC mountain running championships. The Canadian Mountain and Trail Running Association (CTMRA) selected Ryan Hayden, Adam Campbell, Jason Loutitt, Olivia Yuel, Courtney Harcott and Brooke Spence to represent Canada in this 13km uphill race against top mountain runners from host Mexico, and the USA.

Ryan Hayden has the widest range of any Canadian climber. The sub-4 miler and 1:04 half marathoner was also part of the second place team in the 2007 Gore-Tex Transalpine-Run, setting a course record in the hill-sprint stage. He also represented Canada at the IAAF world cross country championships in 2004.

More information at: http://www.mountainrunning.ca/

With the SPOT Satellite Messenger, you and your loved ones have peace of mind knowing help is always within reach. SPOT is the only device of its kind, using the GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, and then sending its location – with a link to Google Maps – and a pre-programmed message via a commercial satellite network. And unlike Personal Locator Beacons, SPOT does more than just call for help. Tracking your progress, checking in with loved ones, and non-emergency assistance are also available, all at the push of a button. And because it uses 100% satellite technology, SPOT works around the world – even where cell phones don’t.

The product is seems reasonably priced at $169.99 (that does not include service fees of $99.99 dollars a year for basic service charges and $49.99/yr to do live tracking).

I know there are cheaper ways to do this but they take a lot of “technical” skills setting up a GPS gateway, purchasing a GPS tracking device, setting up your Google Map web page etc, which is a lot of work.

I think this will be a definite purchase for me before this summers “epics” it will make me feel safe/secure while I am out there on my own.

Article has a good quote from Yiannis Kouros:

“Ultra running is a metaphysical event,” Kouros explained. “If you don’t have that kind of idiosyncrasy, you will never become an ultra runner, even if you train all your life. I am one of those people who recommend and try to inspire people to get involved with running. But ultra is not a fun-running sport — it’s only for unique souls.”

Link.

Check out the multimedia slideshow here and the article here.

Yes, Montrail is focusing on fewer athletes and select ultrarunning events in 2008. We are thrilled to sponsor 17 ultrarunning athletes in the U.S. and our team represents the leading ambassadors and best personalities in the sport. We also sponsor a few dozen athletes overseas such as our Ultrarunning team in England, Jae-Duk Sim from South Korea and Hiroki Ishikawa from Japan. It’s important to know that Team Montrail is global.

It took a long time to narrow our U.S. team to 17 athletes and we are very pleased with the end result, and here is why:

They are the best communicators in the sport of ultrarunning for sharing their passion with others. Many of our athletes work as educators. They provide constructive ongoing product feedback. They go well beyond winning races…they run for a cause, they speak at retail clinics, they help out at events and trade shows, they spend time at Montrail HQ to meet one-on-one with our design team.

Hmmm well not exactly the heavy weights of trail running on that list… I wonder what happened to Karl Metzler, Hal Koerner etc? They could have other deals I guess but I know that would be a major oversight if they dropped athletes of that caliber Luis Escobar… doesn’t he take photos or something? I do agree some of the comments especially this one:

In regards to the comment about having all these Montrail shirts at the start line… In my opinion, a sponsored runner is #1: one who other runners respect and look to for advice based on their accomplishments and #2: runners who are true ambassadors to the sport. Last year Montrail put everyone and anyone in a shirt, by doing that a company isn’t selling anything, the only thing they have done is lose respect as a brand. It almost became comical to see all the Montrail shirts at the start line. It wasn’t a “who’s who” at the start line anymore, it became “What percentage of Montrail shirts will finish?” I don’t have any respect for a brand like that!

I always found this a little comical up here in Canada(Vancouver) I know there are a few “sponsored” runners who it’s like really your sponsored why? Because you placed like 12th in a local ultra???

Hopefully their shoes will not deteriorate like their team.

Check out this article on the Arrowhead in the Star Tribune
by Stephen Regenold
Ultrafit: Icy beards, numb digits and derring-do.

Link.

For those who missed it Scott Jurek and Nikki Kimball were named UltraRunning Magazine’s Runners of the Year. I can’t say this isn’t much of a surprise with their outstanding performances in high profile races. Scott winning the Hardrock 100 and the Spartathalon and Nikki winning the Western States 100 and Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc.

I wonder what is next for these two?