Runners from across the country flocked to the Comox Valley in late July to participate in a unique style of running event: a backyard ultramarathon.
July 27 and 28 marked the fifth annual Comox Valley Road Runners (CVRR) Backyard Ultra, an atypical style of running event inspired by the infamous Barkley Marathons. Started by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell, the Barkley Marathons is an annual event where runners take on a difficult and demanding course through the forests of Tennessee.
"The rules are quite simple," a release from CVRR says. "Beginning every hour on the hour each participant runs a 'Yard' on a 6.706 km repeated route until they are no longer able or willing to run. The distance of 6.706 km is used because 24 yards add up to 100 miles over 24 hours. Each competitor is able to rest after the completion of a Yard until the top of the next hour when the next Yard begins. As the competition continues and fatigue sets in the rest time decreases. If they are not able to get to the start line, their race is over. In this war of attrition the race ends when only one runner, the 'Finisher,' remains!
"It is not about speed however, it鈥檚 about survival," it says. "Whether running one yard or many everyone had fun challenging themselves by setting their own goals and doing something together as a running community in the beautiful setting of the forested river trails and Comox Valley Exhibition grounds."
This year, 76 people started the race, running a combined total of 544 yards, and a total distance of 3,715 km. Local runner Hugo Henckel survived to take home the "finisher" title. Henckel ran a total of 20 yards, or 134 km, beating second place finisher (or "assist") Wade Repta from Victoria by one yard. The final stages of the race were a great battle, with seven runners still competing after the 15 yard or 100 km mark.
"One of the other fun awards in the local race was the Hummingbird competition. This award was earned by defending champion Dan Wilson as the fastest finisher for the 6th yard, otherwise know as the 'Fun Run'."
The team competition was won by the Sunday Run Crew, made up of Cabiri Calisto, Danny Keyes, Roz Smith, Keith Wakelin and Wayne Crowe turning out 57 yards.
The final and most coveted award 鈥� the costume award 鈥� was won by Calisto, who was dressed as Marie Antoinette.
"The race organizers wish to thank our volunteers as well as our sponsors, Comox Valley RV, Extreme Runners, Gladstone Brewing, McDonalds Aldred Restaurants, Foveo Running, Perseverance Trail Run, Panago Pizza, The Cumby, Cumberland Pharmasave, Coastline Endurance, Frontrunners, Hippie Snacks, Comox Valley Manual Therapy Collective," the release says.
Full results are available on the .
