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SETTING THE PACE 鈥� New race record holder David Eikelboom, centre, is flanked by runner-up Joel Macht, left, and third-place finisher Tom Ullyett, right (top). Lauren Whyte
Eikelboom sets record in rainy Mis-Adventure race
Heavy rain didn't stop David Eikelboom from setting a new record at the 11th annual Mount Lorne Mis-Adventure Trail Race Sunday morning.
Heavy rain didn't stop David Eikelboom from setting a new record at the 11th annual Mount Lorne Mis-Adventure Trail Race Sunday morning.
Eikelboom finished the 21-kilometre trail run in 1:17:29, breaking Derek Gibson's mark of 1:18:42, set last year under sunny skies.
The run is a fund-raiser for the Mt. Lorne Volunteer Fire Department, and is put on by residents of the hamlet community.
"It was pouring rain for most of the race, so it was really muddy and slippery in a lot of spots, but that made for a lot of fun,鈥� Eikelboom told the Star.
"It was good to have such a successful race. I had gone into it hoping to beat my time from last year, so doing that and setting a course record was great.鈥�
Last year, Eikelboom finished second to Gibson with a time of 1:20:35.
In May, the 26-year-old physiotherapist qualified for the Boston Marathon after running the Calgary Marathon in 2:55:58. That race was about 15 minutes faster than his previous personal best.
"It felt a bit like a redemption run after my crash and burn in the Victoria Marathon last year,鈥� Eikelboom admitted.
He pointed to a variety of people, including Shelley Gellatly, Natasha Bilodeau and Don White for helping him overhaul his training techniques to help him qualify for the world's oldest annual marathon.
Despite foreboding rain and cold temperatures this weekend, 23 runners took on the "mis-adventurous terrain,鈥� said race organizer Carol Spillette.
The event raised $500 for the local department.
"It was raining, so I was amazed how many people did come,鈥� Spillette said. "It was pretty miserable.鈥�
Original race organizers Sue MacKinnon and Bill Dunn are currently hiking Baffin Island, so Spillette took the reins this year.
On behalf of the hamlet, Spillette extended her thanks to "all of the courageous and amazing runners that supported this race.鈥�
Finishing second to Eikelboom was Joel Macht, in 1:27:47, while Tom Ullyett was third in 1:28:37.
Lauren Whyte was the first female runner to cross the finish line, in 1:35:08.
"It's a difficult course, because the first flat third of the race can lull you into a false sense of ease,鈥� she explained of the route. "You can easily forget that you still have a monster hill and kilometres more of up and down to finish.
"I really like running the Mis-Adventure because of the fun trails and great food after the race,鈥� she added. "And the challenge of trying to stay on course, which I can never manage to do.鈥�
The Mis-Adventure race is sanctioned by Athletics Yukon, and is one of the only all-trail runs in the territory.
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