By Leslie Ann Bent
Day 8
April 18
It was a solid day of running and walking! Guess what? We’re done! We more than exceeded our expectations. We had 13 runners and walkers, and clocked 126km. Our total mileage is 1,483.2km. Megen was the runner who took us over the finish line today! She earned bragging rights for sure. What an inspiring group. Today we started at Mt Troubridge area of the trail on the final stretch to Saltery Bay. Since we can’t celebrate together, pat yourself on the back, pour yourself a drink of choice and put your feet up. You earned it.
If you were wondering how our day went, here’s the recap. When we woke up today, we only had 23.6km to finish our epic challenge but many of you got out there to help make it happen and it did. Here are today’s runners and walkers. Kudos to all of you – Stephanie (10k), Robin (10k), Megen (6k), Kari (7k), Vanessa (7k), Andy (23.2k), Jackie (10k), Danny (10k), Jim G (9k), Teresa (6.6k), Leslie Ann (6k), Jonathan (14k) and Emily (7.3k).
While I was out running this afternoon, I had the time to reflect on the week (when I wasn’t huffing and puffing). It was an opportunity to stay connected with the club in uncertain times during an unprecedented time when we couldn’t be together to push and encourage each other. Whether you clocked low mileage or high mileage, had an opportunity for setting some goals or not, used the time for stress relief, fitness, hard training or full enjoyment of solitude with time to think with no distractions, it was a great way to welcome spring and just be out there getting some fresh air and taking advantage of what Vancouver Island, especially Sooke has to offer us. We are lucky to live here. We all fit in what we can and every step counted.
Yesterday Carol won a headlamp (donation from Greg B so much thanks!) and Megen won a vegetarian cook book. Today we all have some bragging rights or perhaps an incentive to set some new goals. I think we rocked.
If you are someone who likes stats, here are a few for you to summarize our last 8 days:
Average daily km covered: 185.4k
Top female distances reported over the challenge: Jackie (82k), Pauline (70.2k)
Top male distances reported over the challenge: Danny (220k), Jonathan (112.5k), Greg B (112k), Wayne (74.5k)
# participants: 33
Thanks again to all of the children who worked on the great signs for us. They really helped make the recaps come to life. Many were out with their parents on walks and runs so great job kids!
If you are a prize winner and haven’t received your loot, I will be dropping them off on door steps over the next few days. You know who you are. E-mail me your address if you haven’t already.
We are all looking forward to viewing Maggie’s video to remember the event. Yay Maggie!
Stay tuned for May Marathon Madness. It will be an individually driven initiative if you want to participate - low tech, no daily reporting and an opportunity to think about weekly goals and what’s next in running when we can get out there and show what we’ve got. (ie. races). Happy running.
Day 7
April 17
It was a solid day of running and walking! We had 13 runners and walkers, and clocked 147km. Our total mileage is 1,357.2km. We are ALMOST there but not quite. What an inspiring group.
Today we started just beyond Lund and made our way all around the long winding trail - along coastal shorelines, creeks, lakes, through old growth forests and mountain tops. The guide books and on-line apps will tell you varying ways to travel with many side trails and distances can be confusing. We are going by the trail’s official website. We have a mere 23.6km left tomorrow to end this epic tour. I know it was worth it. We are in the Mt Trubridge area of the trail on the final stretch to Saltery Bay. We will finish! Today’s prizes were won by Carol and Megen. Details will be announced tomorrow.
If you were wondering how our day went, here’s the recap. When we finished the day yesterday, we had just started to tackle the Sunshine Coast Trail. Teresa (7.5k), Greg B. (16k), Andrea (6k), Jim G (17.5k) Jonathan (10k), Carol (18.5k), Wayne (10k), Robin (2k), Ken (10k), Danny (30k), Megen (5k), Jonathan (second run, 11.5k) and Leslie Ann (3k) all continued along this majestic trail without incident but with lots of natural inspiration.
The most interesting and inspiring story came from Carol. As she hiked along this gorgeous tranquil trail, she spotted something colourful on the side of the trail. She did a double take and wow, she found inspirational rocks most likely just meant for STARR as we were ending our week long journey through our regions of BC, inspiring each other virtually as we went. The rock captions read “smile,” “stay strong,” “believe relax” and “live, love, laugh.” She took photos so that we can all share in this inspiration.
I was the last one on the trail today. I thought I’d share some photos of the trail where we are. I took the liberty of searching on-line and took some Sunshine Trail and Sunshine Coast tourism which I hope is ok. I have added some links to help. If you want to see more, I suggest you search the internet for Mt Troubridge and you will be delighted with what you see. I saw Stephanie taking the night shift on the trail so we will awake tomorrow with some more mileage clocked.
https://sunshinecoastcanada.com/explore/
https://hikebiketravel.com/hut-to-hut-hiking-from-mt-troub…/
Day 6
April 16
It was a solid day of running and walking! We had 14 runners and walkers today, clocked 166.9km. Our total mileage is 1,210.2km. Today we have a shout-out to Danny who consistently has clocked 30km every day since we started. Amazing. Today we finished The Goose, making it to Victoria and later to Swartz Bay and Thetis Lake, completing part 2 of the challenge. We have just started the Sunshine Coast Trail, leaving 170.6km left of our challenge. Will we make it tomorrow or will it be Saturday?
If you were wondering how our day went, here’s the recap. When we finished the day yesterday, we were around the 42km marker on the Goose. Greg B. (19k) and Sarah-Mae (6.3k) apparently spent the night on the Goose giving us a good start this morning. Then Jonathan (11k) and Greg B. (11k) continued along the Goose getting us a mere 700 meters from the Johnson Street bridge. It was Jenny (10.3k) who completed the Goose for STARR and continued the scenic route towards Sidney, winning a red Niagara Falls marathon tech shirt.
Then, Andy (11.3k), Carol (5k), Wayne (5k), Jackie (16.5k) and Jodie (4.3k) enjoyed the beautiful weather and views of the Juan de Fuca Strait as they meandered along the coast to Swartz Bay. It was Jodie’s first day in the challenge and beginner’s luck was with her. She sailed into Swartz Bay without a meter to spare, earning her a water bottle for this destination. Talk about exact timing.
The next section took us through Brentwood Bay giving us a nice breeze off the Saanich Inlet as we traveled towards Thetis Lake. Jason (10.2k), Kari (7.5k), Danny (30K, again!), and Leslie Ann (5.5k) also got a scenic tour of the Saanich Peninsula. Sarah-Mae (4K) came back for a second round of running. She must have wanted to make her run harder as she completed this run with the weight of a three-year old child on her back for her last km, ending a mere 600 meters before Thetis Lake. Can anyone else relate to a young child wanting to be carried?
It was Robin who took over from her and crossed to Thetis Lake for STARR, ending part 2 of the challenge, and earning a Niagara Fall marathon tech shirt. Robin was able catch a private plane across to Sarah Point on Desolation Sound, to start the last phase of our journey - the Sunshine Coast Trail. We end the day 9.4km along the trail. Robin has passed Lund with its bakery and restaurant. Did he sample anything? Only he will know. His goal for tonight was the Malaspina B&B – no trail camping for him, I guess.
We will start from there tomorrow. As I type, Teresa is out on the trail and will be our first runner of the day tomorrow. I wonder if anyone will get a hut or if it will be side of the trail camping.
Day 5
April 15
Well STARR, we had its lowest mileage day our virtual circuit today but we made it home to Sooke 4 days ahead of schedule! Yay. We had 11 runners and walkers today, clocked 104.8km and now, after a bite to eat and a shower, and a big applause, we are on the Galloping Goose Trail, part 2 of our challenge. Our total mileage is 1,043.3km.
Part 2 option takes us along The Goose to Victoria, and along the water, taking the scenic coastal route to Swartz Bay and back along the west side to Thetis Lake (170k). Part 3 will take us on some rugged trail as we tackle the Sunshine Coast Trail (180k). We should have this all wrapped up by the weekend. There will still be some “fabulous” prizes along the route. Our total new distance will be 1,380.8K!
So here is how our day went. When we finished the day yesterday, we had 20k left of the West Coast Trail. Greg B (8k) and Andy (11.3k) managed 19.3k. It was left to Kari to finish the last 700 meters to Port Renfrew. She managed that and more (4.5k). The last stretch along Hwy 14 was tackled by Jonathan (5k) Carol (10k), Stephanie (7.5k), Leslie Ann (3.5k), and Wayne (15k). This is a route we know well, passing Botanical Beach, Sombrio Beach, China Beach, and Mystic Beach. Danny had the better part of the route passing through the very famous Shirley, then Otter Point and into Sooke. He could have won the big prize for completing the course for the team, but sadly, he already won The Soup Bible. So, after checking on the house and making sure his truck was still running (it wasn’t yesterday, but that is another story). He headed out on the Goose, starting at the km 55 marker.
After a few clicks, Danny gladly handed over the torch to Melanie (7k) who won the Sooke mystery prize (being the next runner after Danny who hadn’t won a prize yet). Robin completed the day with 3km and so we’re now around marker 42K on the Goose. Greg B will be running through the night to be the first in tomorrow with some mileage, and Sarah-Mae is bustling along right behind. I wonder if she is busting his butt. Stay tuned tomorrow. We will have a small prize bag for Hannah, John, Lila, Georgia and Willow who made such amazing signs for us. (Brynn, Toryn, and Gabe won on previous days). Thanks so much! The signs were excellent.
We are dedicating today to our club members and their families who are working each day in the front lines of COVID-19. We are grateful to all of you. The photos of us clapping or using noise makers are to applaud the healthcare and essential workers on the front lines of COVID-19 crisis. You won’t hear us from our balconies so please recognize that we cheer you from where ever we are.
Day 4
April 14
Well STARR, we had decent day of progress on our virtual circuit today and we could easily be home in Sooke tomorrow. We had 15 runners and walkers, clocked another 142.3km and now we are on the West Coast Trail. Our total mileage is 938.5km – just under 100km to Sooke!
There was an error in the report yesterday. I mentioned Steve B. and it should have read Jim B. Apologies. The text has been fixed.
Rumour has it that for those who would like to extend their journey to the end of the week, will have a part 2 option to explore parts of the island we haven’t yet explored on this challenge – Victoria and Sidney taking the scenic coastal route. More on that later.
Today we had 54km to run to make it to Gold River. Six runners took on that first section. Jonathan (9k), Robin (3k), Sarah-Mae (8k), Jenny (10.5), Jackie (11) and Steve K. (11k) all took their turns and got us to the outskirts of Gold River without incident. Jim B. (10k) was destined to take the torch for STARR. He ran the final km into town centre. Gold River seems so big now with its population of 1,200. Jim was welcomed by Vanessa’s daughter, Willow in Easter mode, and although Jim got no Easter eggs, he did get a navy tech Montreal Marathon shirt! Taking his shirt and a float plane to Tofino, Jim was welcomed yet again by another STARR offspring – Robin’s daughter, Lila.
The stretch from Tofino to Ucluelet shows off Vancouver Island’s wild coast and is a beautiful more populated section of the route since we’ve had in a while. Ken (10k) and Danny (another 30k!) took on this part, with Ken earning a small mystery prize as he watched the surfers! It was Danny’s turn to take the float plane – this time from Ucluelet to Bamfield, the start of the West Coast trail. Danny was happy to have some encouragement in Bamfield from Robin and Georgia. It is always nice to see familiar and smiling faces.
Finishing up our day and enjoying the rugged West Coast trail was Donna (5k), Vanessa (5k), Steve E (8.8k), Robin (10k, since he was in Bamfield anyhow, a second stint of the day), Teresa (4k), Jason (5k), Megen (5k) and Leslie Ann (5.5k). For those of you who know the trail, we are beyond Bonilla Point – 55ish km along the trail with 20km to Port Renfrew.
Tomorrow, it’s Sooke or bust. Wow, such an impressive club! When we all have a chance to get home and get showered, we will do a big cheer for our accomplishments, but more importantly to also acknowledge our club members and families who are working each day in the front lines of COVID-19. We are grateful to all of you.
Please send in a photo of you and/or your family clapping or using noise makers to applaud the healthcare and essential workers on the front lines of COVID-19 crisis to be included in tomorrow’s recap.
Then, for those who would like to add about 300km to our challenge, continue to clock your mileage and send it to Leslie Ann nightly. Part 2 will include the Galloping Goose to Victoria, Victoria to Swartz Bay via the coast, and to Thetis Lake for a total of 170.8 additional kms, or 1,200K cumulatively. Part 3 mapping is under way and will revealed tomorrow. Part 2 will provide about 1,300k of cumulative distance.
Day Three
April 13, 2020
Well STARR, we had another great day on our virtual circuit. If Saturday was impressive in terms of kms completed, and yesterday a good slog, today had its moments of excitement. We had 16 runners and walkers, clocked another 158.4km and now we are somewhere between Tahsis and Gold River, literally once again in the middle of nowhere. Our total mileage is 787.2km! Today we have seen bears, been to an emergency room, found a STARR hat in a most unusual place, had some family time and exercised the dogs beyond their norms. Motivational signs of various sorts were seen. Does anyone have a sister? Not bad for an Easter Monday on the island.
Yesterday we just had left Port Alice and Robin’s welcoming team with Lila and Georgia. Jim B. (10k), Robin (3k) and Wayne (10k) kicked off Day 3. There was a very long stretch between towns and we mentioned yesterday that this remote area is known for nature and its natural beauty. While Wayne was making his way towards Zeballos, he noticed three fuzzy brown things moving ahead – a mother bear and her two cubs! “I sat and watched the cubs wrestle with each other for about 5 minutes until mama moved them along. It was so amazing! They fueled the rest of my run,” said Wayne. The bears must have been guarding our STARR prize because Wayne passed kilometer 650 and found a One More Mile tech shirt in his size!
After that excitement, Steve E (15k), Carol (18k) and Jim G. (10k) continued our journey south in relative calm. With 15.1km to Zeballos, Megen (9.2k) and her daughters took the reins. In the wilderness, anything can happen – even hallucinations. Can you believe there was a STARR hat hanging from a tree on their stretch? Megen got the photo to prove it.
Then, Maggie (7k) was bound and determined to be the one to make it Zeballos and she did, but not without a fight. At some point into town she had a feeling someone was chasing her – a bear? Jackie? Pauline? She was sure that there was a prize waiting for her and needed to be the first one there. Fortunately, there was a prize – a Brooks Rock and Roll tech shirt!
Welcoming her into town were Stephanie’s children John and Hannah, holding a beautiful banner. Unfortunately, Maggie took a bad fall on the last turn, cut open her knee which required stitches. It was truly a miracle that Zeballos with its mere population of 107 does in fact have a health clinic. Six stitches later, Maggie is on the mend but has to end her Vancouver Island Circuit Challenge.
The next stretch to Tahsis was uneventful but absolutely the place to be if you wanted to get away from it all. Tahsis is a community of 316 and known for its ecotourism. Runners Greg B (6k), Leslie Ann (5k), Pauline (11k), Stephanie (7.6k), Robin (3k, his second stint for the day), and Danny (30k – wow!) took short and long turns to the outskirts, while Emily (3.6k), Donna (5k) and Teresa (5k) got us 12km beyond it. To their surprise, a welcoming committee supplied by Sarah-Mae was waiting for them in the heart of Tahsis. Donna was the lucky winner in Tahsis of a water bottle. Sarah-Mae’s son Gabe earned a prize bag for his great signs.
Congratulations to all of the runners. Stay tuned tomorrow. The next destination is Gold River which is 54km away, and there could a float plane or two depending how we progress. We are STARRs. We will have no trouble getting back to Sooke this week.
Day Two
April 12, 2020
Well STARR, we had another great day on our virtual circuit. We had 13 runners, clocked another 177.9km and now we are somewhere between Port Alice and Zeballos, literally in the middle of nowhere. We made it to Port Hardy! Yay and now we are returning back to Sooke via the west coast. Our total mileage is 628.8km!
A few highlights from yesterday that didn’t get mentioned were two excellent cheering stations. Maggie ran to the outskirts of Fanny Bay and did the exchange to Sarah-Mae. She was delighted to see Brynn and Toryn there welcoming her to Fanny Bay (known for it’s oysters) as she hit the city centre. We got a photo! Then, later on in the day, Greg Carson was chugging along and got some inspiration from Vanessa’s daughter, Willow in Campbell River. There was no chocolate from that Easter bunny but he did get the shirt and we got the photo.
Today the more detailed story is that Teresa (6k), Emily (10.6k), Robin (10k), Sarah-Mae (7k), Andy (23.2k) and Carol (8k) got us to Port McNeil the first town en route since yesterday. Then Wayne (8k), Jason (10.2k), Leslie Ann (7k) and Pauline (9k) got us close to Port Hardy but 4.6km short. Who would be the runner to get to Port Hardy? Emily's second run of the day (11km) took STARR to the heart of Port Hardy. Once again Brynn and Toryn were there to welcome STARR to their final destination, well almost final. We do have to go back to Sooke. Emily earned a Brooks World marathon tech shirt for that final push. Brynn and Toryn earned a cheering team & sign makers’ prize bag.
STARR is not a club who rests on their laurels. There was no overnight in Port Hardy. So back towards Sooke we headed. Teresa (6k) came out for a second turn, and Al (6k) and Danny (30k) did their stints too. Jackie (22k) was the next prize winner of the day, bringing us to Port Alice, town of 664 people, known for its natural beauty, salt water fishing and a pulp mill. Here Jackie found the next prize of the day, a Brooks tech Rock & Roll marathon shirt! Emily seemed not to tire so finished her day with a late afternoon 3.9km walk bringing our total mileage to 628.8km.
Tomorrow it is 81.1k to Zeballos or bust! New maps have been added for the return. Congrats to all of our STARR talent.
Alex holds Woss sign for big day one accomplishment.
Day One
April 11, 2020
Today was the kick off for our first annual Vancouver Island Circuit Challenge – 1,030km in 9 days by accumulating our daily mileage (in kms!). Can we do it? If today was any indication of how focused and pumped the club was, I have a strong feeling we can. The skinny is this - 25 runners covered 450.9km of distance today. That was an absolutely awesome achievement. I was so impressed by everyone’s results and I know many worked hard for STARR today setting goals higher than typical. We did have some virtual cheering out on the course too thanks to some of our STARR families. We ended the day just 4km past Woss and have 62.7km to Port McNeil tomorrow, our next destination. We are a mere 103.6km from Port Hardy. Eight of our 25 runners found “fabulous” prizes along the route. You could be next. Here is how the day shook down.
Duncan welcome - Megen & girls
Steve K (10k) was up at the wee hours of the day kicking off the STARR challenge. Next Andrea (7k) and Robin (14k) took the reins to take us past Langford. Al Walker (6.5k) was next and must have been a smooth talker to get the section just before the Malahat (nice job, Al!), handing off to Jenny (6.2k). She took one for the team, getting up to the top of the Malahat and also passing our marathon distance marker. Not ones to slack off, Melanie (6k), Jackie (22k) and Jim Gable (13.5k) embraced the challenging sections on to Duncan, where Jim scooped up the first prize to be had (a Brooks tech Rock & Roll marathon shirt). To his delight, he was welcomed by the first cheering squad (one-household!), consisting of three young blondes – Brynn, Toryn, and Megen! What a great bunch of supporters with their home-made professional looking sign, too.
Bent cousins in Ladysmith
Robin welcomes to Parksville
Then Carol (15k), Wayne (17.5k), Megen (along with Brynn & Toryn, 7.3k) and Stephanie (9.1k) carried on for STARR to Nanaimo. Wayne made his way through Ladysmith and noted the Bent cousins (one household) cheering him on and welcoming him to their town. With a no-contact air high five wave, Megen and her daughters took the next section. Stephanie took over the final kms of this section hitting Nanaimo and finding the second prize of the day (a Brooks tech Rock & Roll marathon shirt). Kari (13k), Ken (10k) and Leslie Ann (7k) were next, but it was Danny who got us to Parksville at 168.4km and beyond. He was delighted to see Robin holding a sign (one household!) welcoming him to Parksville after this very long day. In Parksville, Danny won the third prize of the day, The Soup Bible cookbook. I wonder who will get the most use out of it, Danny or Jackie?
Sarah-Mae and offspring welcome STARR to Woss
Tired after 30km, Danny handed over the reins to Vanessa who took us to Qualicum Bay. Vanessa (10k) too found a prize today (a Brooks tech Rock & Roll marathon shirt which seems to be today’s theme!). Maggie (13k), Sarah-Mae (5.6k), and Steve E (14.4k) continued en route taking us to the outskirts of Courtenay. Pauline’s 52km was more than enough to get us through Courtenay and with Jason’s help, finished up just outside of Campbell River. Pauline too picked up a prize for passing through Courtenay – a Brooks tech Rock & Roll marathon shirt. The final legs were done by Greg Carson (52k), Jonathan (52k) and Greg Balchin (52k). After a brutal day of running, Greg couldn’t be happier than to see some friendly faces in Woss cheering him on (one household!). Six-year old Gabe (Sarah-Mae’s son) had been practicing his letters this week and made Greg a sign. The last prizes of the day were in Campbell River, Sayward and Woss. Two of the lucky winners earned – you guessed it, a Brooks tech Rock & Roll marathon shirt. Greg B will find out what his prize tomorrow. It is not a Rock & Roll marathon shirt.
Rumour has it that a few of our runners are on the night shift and are making their way to Port McNeil as I write. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update.
Congratulations to all of our runners for such an impressive and amazing first day. Thanks to all of the families who made signs too.
Ladysmith cheering squad
Fanny Bay greeters
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