The Musquodoboit Muffin 2025

*Course modified slightly due to cold and rain forecast.

 Sunday, November 16th,

The Musquodoboit Muffin. Distance is approximately 16 km, and 600 m elevation gain, with about 10km of technical wilderness singletrack, and 7km of flat railtrail.

Start is at 9 am at Crawford's Falls/SilversPool. Registration is on the morning of, and closes at 8:30 at the start/finish line. Registration is $20 cash, and waivers must be signed at registration. 

There is parking on both sides of the bridge. There are no facilities at the start/finish. The start finish location is on Highway 357 (aka Meagher's Grant Rd) approximately 13km from the Musquodoboit Harbour Library.  Coordinates of the start/finish are:  44.872673, -63.220254.

  

The are no feed stations on the trail. All runners must have at minimum a pack, a rain shell, a fully charged mobile phone, snacks and water. I highly recommend at least two hundred calories of snacks, and two litres of water. Several streams are accessible on the ten km wilderness trail. If you plan on drinking stream water, carry a portable filter or treatment tablets. Do not drink this water unfiltered as there are beaver dams at the source of this stream!

The trail is marked with the existing  red metal tags on trees (a few fallen).Blue flagging tape, and volunteers will be at intersections to give direction.

 

As usual there are no awards or prizes for this event. There are muffins at the finish.

  

If you have not run this trail before you are in for a real treat, but please be aware of the extreme technical and physical demands especially of the middle10km section. It may sound shortish but the distance is compounded by all steep ascents and descents and numerous hops skips and jumps between boulders, and over roots. There are no flat straight sections in this segment of the trail. Trail specific running shoes are highly recommended. .

miniMuffin Results 2024

 

Here are the results of the 2024 23 kilometre miniMuffin trail run.  It is also a list of the the toughest of the toughest that ran some of the hardest and most technical hills around. Congratulations everyone for a tremendous day of exciting firsts, longests, and fastests! Also thank you very much to the wonderful volunteers for making time for the event on the beautiful Musquodoboit trails!

Time is time of day. Run started at 9 a.m.

Name               Time of Day

Nat C             1:36 p.m

Adam  M .         1:25

Christine A       12:53

Jacob T            1:23

Madison T        1:23

Aaron R            12:49

Jimmy L            2:00

Kenny S            12:18

Justin S             12:12

Colin B              12:35

Jodi I                  11:41

Jeff M                12:25

Alexander S        12:12

Matt M                2:59

Wade S                2:59

Sasha S                2:59

Michael G           11:44

Chris M               12:25

Muffin M              12:08       

MiniMuffin 2024

https://api.sports-tracker.com/apiserver/v1/workouts/export/AG4Y_8B9cXn7iNADT6jCcRrOaMP9sTjPNJbaDyOPtvxHB4ehYl9gaGa6qzeGrhYJnA==?brand=SUUNTOAPP

UPDATE November 17th: Different start location, and course length.

The 22 kilometre MiniMuffin run is a revised version of the former MegaMuffin run for this year due to delayed maintenance on the northern end of the railbed. It is a 3-6 hour run/power hike including 16 kilometre of technical singletrack with about 860 metres of ascent and descent, and about 7 km of flat rail trail running. It is a very physically demanding course. 

There are no aid stations on the course.

Cutoff  is at 2:00 pm  at the 16km point, at the entrance to Admiral Lake Loop  (following the South Ridge loop and the rail trail return). The cutoff is to keep the event in daylight hours. Sunset is 5 pm on November 24.

Highly recommend

Lugged grippy trail running shoes
A running pack
Fully charged phone
Small first aid kit with tensor bandage, and duct tape
Small knife
Whistle
Lots of snacks= 500 calorie range
Water bladder or flasks for at least a litre, and a mini water filter, or purification tablets
Extra buff
Lightweight waterproof breathable shell!!! 
Compass
Headlamp
Toque and Gloves (watch the forecast)
A watch that gives distance

Start location: 

44°47'30.0"N 63°08'59.4"W

Registration is at the event between 7:30 and 8:30 on November 24. Start time is 9 a.m.  Cost is $20 cash. All proceeds go to Musquodoboit Trailways association. 

There is a waiver to sign at the time of registration.

2023 MegaMuffin Run

 2023 Mega Muffin Run

The Mega Muffin Run takes place Sunday, November 26. Approximately 32 km with about 11km on railtrail and 19km on remote wilderness single track. The run is unsupported(no aid stations),  and runners are responsible for carrying:

Fully charged mobile phone

Small first aid kit. 

At least one litre of water

(water available for filtering/treatment from streams

A waterproof shell

Enough snacks for a 3-5 hour very difficult trail run.

Run starts and finishes  at the Gibraltar parking lot.

Registration is between 7:30 and 8:45 a.m. the morning of the run. Cost is $20. All runners must fill out the waiver, as usual, at sign in.

At around the 21km mark is a 4 hour cut off. Runners beyond four and a half hours will return on the railtrail to the Gibraltar parking lot.This is to insure runners are back before dark which happens at 4:35 pm that time of the year. 

There is limited parking at the Start Line, so carpooling with friends is good. There is additional parking about 3 km south of the parking lot at Crawford's Falls, and about five parking spots 700m north of the Start Line at the Quarry (do not park in front of the gate).

Virtual Muffin Run

This year I am not organizing a Muffin Run as I usually have in the past, around this time of year. If you feel you have it in you though, please feel free to run the end-to-end route. The route begins at the Gibraltar Trail parking lot gate, and ends at the end of the Admiral Lake Loop at the other gate at the end of Bayer's Mill Road. The route is almost all on the singletrack wilderness trail, except for the first  ten metres or so, and the very last kilometre of double track.In total it is approximately 25km, and will take somewhere betweem 3 to 5 hours to complete.

Once you have completed the route, you can send me your time, and I will compile a list of runners that have completed it with your recorded time, gate-to-gate. If you send me your time, please make sure it does not deduct time for stoppage, as some watches have this funny little feature. And be honest, etc.

The trails are in amazing shape these days, and even if you don't do the full 25 you should go check out the trails. If you want to send me a time for a half loop, or variation I can include that in the compilation under a separate sub-section. If you want to do an out and back on the 25km route - 50km - please send me the info - I do not think this has ever been attempted! If you are planning on doing it, I am thinking sometime before the 15th of December will be the cutoff date to finish compiling the finishers. I can always add you later though, if you were busy training before that date : )

Please be careful out there, and run with snacks, charged mobile, a shell, water, and a buddy if possible.

2019 Muffin timing

I have never seen the trail as beautiful as Sunday morning with the low winter nearly solstice sun lighting up the interior of the woods! It was amazing, and the runners were amazing- look at the results! Holy smoking fast! Congratulations everyone and thanks to the volunteers Alexandria Alex Jack Karine Liz Al and Simon! Be sure to check David Garlock's awesome photographs of the run too- thanks Dave!

Jodi Isenor 1:47:50/1:17:50
Jeff Mosher 1:50:47/1:20:47
Tim Brooks 1:57:29/1:27:29
Tristan Cleveland 2:00:51/1:30:51
Kerry Coulen 2:08:33/1:38:33
René Julien 2:18:00/1:58:00
Frazer Egerton         2:31:57/2:01:57
Jody Little 2:33:15/2:03:15
Sean Cassidy 2:11:07
Tim Farmer 2:11:07
Steve Taylor 2:41:40/2:11:40
Matt Keith 2:43:00/2:13:00
Shane Patelakis 2:47:09/2:17:09
Rene Boucher 2:47:13/2:17:13
Krista Keirstead 2:35:21/2:25:21
Chris Morrison 3:12:40/2:42:40
Alena Richard 3:18:12/2:48:12
Jenny Koutroulakis 3:21:07/3:01:07
Kimberly von Boxtel 3:02:18

2019 Muffin Run scheduled

Musquodoboit Muffin Run Sunday December 8. Start at 10 am at Crawford's Falls. Distance is approximately 16km. Registration is on the morning of, and closes at 9:30 at the start/finish line. There is lots of parking on both sides of the bridge. There are no facilities at the start/finish. The start finish location is on Highway 357 (aka Meagher's Grant Rd) approximately 12km from the intersection of highways 357 and #7.  Coordinates of the start/finish are:  44.872673, -63.220254.

The are no feed stations on the trail. All runners must have at minimum a pack, a rain shell, a fully charged mobile phone, snacks and water. Registration is $20, and waivers must be signed at registration. There are no awards or prizes for this event- except everyone gets a muffin.

The course begins with approximately 4km of flat rail trail and finishes with about 2km of the same. In between is wilderness singletrack.

NEW! There are an additional 3 optional out-and-back sections on the singletrack segment. They appear at approximately 5 km, 7km, and 12.5km. These are very well marked with blue flagging tape and are steep descents/ascents. Each out and back has a book. Remove one page from each book you get to. You must show the captured pages to the finish timing. Each page deducts 9 minutes from your finishing time. If you get all 3 pages, you get 27 minutes faster! However keep in mind the energy required for these may result in added fatigue and have a deleterious result on the net time. Each out-and-back takes at least 3 minutes. Totally optional.

If you have not run this trail before you are in for a real treat, but please be aware of the extreme technical and physical demands specially of the middle10km section. It may sound short but the distance is compounded by all steep ascents and descents and numerous hops skips and jumps between boulders, and over roots. There are no flat straight sections in this segment of the trail. Trail specific running shoes are highly recommended. Studs or spikes are definitely allowed, and may or may not be helpful depending on environmental conditions.

2018 MMR results

Mega Muffun Run results for November 11, 2018 from the official timing chip. Your time may vary, but everyone's varies by the same degree.

Jodi Isenor  3:08

Mike Mackinnon 3:54

Jason White 3:55 (Flyin' Nutz participant)

Scott Clarke 4:07

Steve Taylor 4:13

Abdel Alkuor 4:29

Nikolay Ryabkov 4:47

Susan Cargill 4:48

Sara Thompsom 4:48 (Flyin' Nutz participant)

Katie Oleksiuk 4:49

John Brennan 4:49

Kent Beattie 5:03

Jim Foster 5:08

Cut-off finishers and Creative Variations of the course.

Daan Verkoeijen 3:18 (Flyin' Nutz participant)

Sanne Verkoeijen 3:18 (Flyin' Nutz participant)

Sean Cassidy 3:24 (swamp variation )

Janice Teal 3:28 (with injury and swamp variation (most direct route out btw))!

Keith Colter 5:28 (missed the end of the South Ridge trail) (Flyin' Nutz participant)

Tim Farmer 3:49 (followed Sean)

Kerry Coolen 3:56 (off course)

Morag McDonah 4:06(off course)

Will Taylor 4:52
Elise Huet 5:38

Robert Fawcett 5:43 (Flyin' Nutz participant)

A gigantic thank you for everyone that came- runners and volunteers alike to the above, and to the following: Dana, Denise, Jack, Jeff, Karine, Laurie, Simon, and my Mom! 

Every year this event delivers new challenges and as usual, the participants handle them with style and skill. When I tell people down here (I live close to the trail) that I have a running event-they think I mean on the railbed. When I explain, no it is on the wilderness trail, they invariably inhale and widen their eyes in the same way when they see extraterrestrials depicted on the big screen, or see a bug that resembles same beings. 

I think we may tend to skew our perspectives on our own strengths and successes by comparing them to others or even our slightly quicker times and possibly shortchange our personal successes. I did not, however detect any of that on Sunday, and hope everyone can carry for awhile that feeling of success they had from finishing a long and difficult trail- even if you went "shorter", there is no way this could be mistaken as an easy run. 

I hope to see everyone next year for the return of the Mega Muffun Run, and a mini Muffun Run option.

2018 Mega Muffun Run

If you have ever wanted to complete all four of the consecutive wilderness trails at once, here is your opportunity! November 11th at  9 a.m. is the start of the new MEGA Muffun Run. It is now 99.98 % wilderness  trail, which means starting at the very beginning of the Gilbraltar trail, and finishing on the Admiral Lake Loop. It is about 25km in total, and will take approximately between 3.25 hours, and 4.75 hours. There will be one water/snack stations this year, at the intersection of the south ridge and the Admiral Lake Loop (approximately the three quarters mark)

The sign in is at the Bayer's Mill Rd. entrance! But, the run BEGINS at Gibraltar parking lot -  that is the north-most parking lot at the very end of the Musuquodoboit Rail Trail about 15 km up the Meagher's Grant Road. So the run goes in a general North-South direction.

There are two cut-off times on the run (no one has ever missed the first cut off time by the way). The first one is at the intersection of the North and South Ridge trails, is 2 hours, five minutes. If you are over this time, you will then run/hike the rail trail back to the finish. The second cut-off time is 3 hours 45 minutes at the intersection of the South Ridge trail and the Admiral Lake Loop. If you are past this time, you will continue along the Turtle Brook trail to the rail trail to the finish. Volunteers will be at both locations.

While this is an opportunity to do something unique and adventurous, it will require extra COOPERATION between runners to shuttle cars. Please organize your ride before you drive to the start line. The run finishes at the end of Bayer's Mill Rd. Trail entrance at the gate. It is advised you park your car here, or one of your fellow runners park a car here on Bayer's Mill Rd. in order to retrieve the other  parked vehicle from the Gibraltar parking lot.
There will be treats at the Bayer's Mill Rd. Gate at the end of the run. It is highly ADVISED to leave a bag of warm dry clothes to change into with me or someone at the finish- you may have to wait otherwise for cars to be unlocked, or driven, etc. This is not  a requirement, but you will thank yourself for your good planning.

Registration is $30 on Race Roster. Sign in is done at 8:30 so please arrive early to switch vehicles, and sign-in and drive to the start. Runners are required to read and sign a legal waiver, and also fill in the sign-in sheet.



In summary:
Bring your pack with mobile, food and water.
Sign in at the finish line, leave your warm dry clothes here.
Drive to the start -- approximately ten minute drive.
Have fun.

The Muffin Runnins of 2017

It really could not have been a better day weather wise for this run. For those of you that have not run this in warmer weather, the cooler atmospheric conditions made for more grippable surfaces than usual. Thanks to all the amazing runners that came out and completed an extraordinarly tough 21.5km plus run!

Runner               Time of Day          Elapsed time
Steve Reeves     12:54pm--              2:42
Colin Busby       1:15pm--               3:03
Jodi Isenor         12:59 --                  2:47
Steve Johnson     2:17 --                   4:05
Matt Keith          2:17                       4:05
Rob Fawcett       1:07 --                   2:55(half rail trail)
Meaghan Kerman 1:06--                  2:54 (half rail trail)
Rob Bonang (sp) 2:25--                    4:13
Marnie Oathay 2:05--                        3:53
Tim Brooks 1:13--                             3:01
Jody Little1:58 --                              3:46
Shawn Mury 1:59--                           3:47
Sean Cassidy 1;35 --                         3:13
Andrew Waugh 1:34 --                     3:12
Steve Taylor 1:59 --                          3:47
Tim Farmer 1:38 --                           3:16
Bonnie Sutherland 1:58  --               3:46(net time?)
Bruce Roberts 1:20 --                       3:08

Thanks to the tremendous work from volunteers that really make this possible, and their boundless enthusiasm for marvellous adventures such as these. Denise, Shannon, Doug, Judy, Simon, Karine, and Leah all got a little shivery, but kept everybody pointed in the right direction! I hope to see you at next year's run for a little switcharoo of the course!

2017 Musquodoboit Muffin Run Point-to-Point Run.

Sunday November 12th at 10 am, point to point run on the Musquodoboit Wilderness Trail. Please read carefully.

1. Much longer duration run. This will take you between 2.5 to 4 hours of running and power hiking, mostly on wilderness singletrack.
2.There is a strict 1 hour 50 minute cut-off at the junction of the North and South Granite Ridge trails. If necessary, you will be required to skip the South Ridge portion and continue parallel on the rail-trail to the finish line.
3. This is a point-to-point event so you will need to coordinate with fellow runners to shuttle one of your vehicles to the end of the course. Arrive early enough to do this.
4. There are no feed stations, so you are absolutely required to carry food, water, a fully charged mobile device, and a wind shell jacket. A small backpack is highly recommended. If you don't have a mobile, partner with a buddy. Please eat breakfast before this event and carry at least 500 calories in snacks. It will very likely be cold and wet and you will definitely need extra energy.

Registration is at the Bayer's Mill Rd. entrance! But, the run BEGINS at Gibraltar parking lot - that is the north most parking lot at the very end of the Musuquodoboit Rail Trail about 15 km up the Meagher's Grant Road. So the run goes in a general North South direction.

While this is an opportunity to do something unique and adventurous, it will require extra COOPERATION between runners to shuttle cars. Please organize your ride before you drive to the start line. The run finishes at the end of Bayer's Mill Rd. Trail entrance at the gate. It is advised you park your car here, or one of your fellow runners park a car here on Bayer's Mill Rd. in order to retrieve the other parked vehicle from the Gibraltar parking lot.

The run begins on approximately 1.6 km of flat rail trail right from the gate at Gibraltar parking lot before going into 17.5 km of technical wilderness singletrack. Then it pops back onto the rail trail for 2 km of flat rail trail to the gate at the side of the rail trail that is also the end of Bayer's Mill Rd. Total distance is approximately 21 kilometres.

There will be treats at the Bayer's Mill Rd. Gate at the end of the run. It is highly ADVISED to leave a bag of warm dry clothes to change into with me at the finish- you may have to wait otherwise for cars to be unlocked, or driven, etc. This is not a requirement, but you will thank yourself for your good planning.
Registration is $20 at the Finish parking lot on day of the run. Registration is done at 9:30 so please arrive early to switch vehicles, and register and drive to the start. Runners are required to read and sign a legal waiver, and also fill in the sign-in sheet.

In summary:
Bring your pack with food and water.
Register at the finish line, leave your warm dry clothes here.
Drive to the start -- approximately ten minute drive.
Have fun.

2016 Muffun Results - The Mystical Movement of Energy

Congratulations on everyone's great performances today on the first point-to-point event on the wilderness trails. It was a very very tough course for those in the best of shape, and an extra tough course for those not quite used to this trail, and especially again for those coming back from injury. Kudos to everyone for coming out and raising a little hell on a warm Sunday morning in November.

Fiinishing times from the official timing chip. Times may differ slightly from runner's own watch, but will differ the same to every one.  Negative ten minutes has been applied for the Bonus Trail runners. The magnificent view alone was worth it right!?

David Major 4:48:58

Courtney Donovan 4:06:06

Andrew Woods 2:36:28 rt finish

Karine Isenor 3:29:36

Suzanne Ferrier 3:10:55

Tom Soehl 3:29:36

Steve Taylor 3:24:01

Mary Mott 4:51:16

Arnie 4:53:56

John Bowser 3:37:42

David Perry 4:54:23

Sean Cassidy 3:10:15

Steve Reever 2:37:05

John Brennan 4:16:42

Peter Boileau 4:01:17

Dave Clark 4:16:42

Jodi Isenor 2:28

Mark Campbell 3:50:53

Jen Lwandowski 3:50:53

Mark Peverill 4:54:02

Shawna Peverill 4:59:19

Bruce Dvonk 3:40:20

Pete MacDonald 3:08:48

Jo Fraser 2:26:28 rt finish

Stu Cameron 3:04:07

Melinda Lee 3:50:20 rt finish

Tim Brooks 3:13:09

Andrew Waugh 3:33:58

Bruce Roberts 3:05:07

Thank you to all the runners for making this event such a success. Also a huge thank you to our amazing volunteers for toughing it out in the woods all day: David, Jack, Doug, Iain, Bert, Judy, and Colin. 

2016 Musquodoboit Muffin Run: New & Different!

2016 Musquodoboit Muffin Run Point-to-Point Run.

Sunday November  20th at 10 am, point to point run on the Musquodoboit Wilderness Trail. It is different this time so please read carefully.

1. Much longer duration run. This will take you between 3 to 5 hours of running and power hiking, mostly on wilderness singletrack.

2.There is a two hour cut-off at the junction of the North and South Granite Ridge trails.  If necessary, you will be required to skip the South Ridge portion and continue parallel on the rail-trail. 

3. This is a point-to-point event so you will need to coordinate with fellow runners to shuttle one of your vehicles to the end of the course. Arrive early enough to do this.

4. There are no feed stations, so you are absolutely required to carry food, water, a fully charged mobile device, and a wind shell jacket. A small backpack is highly recommended. If you don't have a mobile, partner with a buddy. Please eat breakfast before this event and carry at least 500 calories in snacks. It will very likely be cold and  wet and you will definitely need extra energy. 

 Registration is at the Bayer's Mill Rd. entrance! But, the run BEGINS at Gibraltar parking lot -  that is the north most parking lot at the very end of the Musuquodoboit Rail Trail about 15 km up the Meagher's Grant Road. So the run goes in a general North South direction.

While this is an opportunity to do something unique and adventurous, it will require extra COOPERATION between runners to shuttle cars. Please organize your ride before you drive to the start. The run finishes at the end of Bayer's Mill Rd. Trail entrance at the gate. It is advised you park your car here, or one of your fellow runners park a car here on Bayer's Mill Rd. in order to retrieve the other  parked vehicle from the Gibraltar parking lot. 

The run begins on approximately 1.6 km of flat rail trail right from the gate at Gibraltar parking lot before going into 17.5 km of technical wilderness singletrack. Then it pops back onto the rail trail for 2 km of flat rail trail to the gate at the side of the rail trail that is also the end of Bayer's Mill Rd. Total distance is approximately 21 kilometres.

There will be treats at the Bayer's Mill Rd. Gate at the end of the run. It is highly ADVISED to leave a bag of warm dry clothes to change into with me at the finish- you may have to wait otherwise for cars to be unlocked, or driven, etc. This is not  a requirement,  but the service is available. 

Registration is $20 at the Finish parking lot on day of the run. Registration is done at 9:30 so please arrive early to switch vehicles, and register and drive to the start. Runners are required to read and sign a legal waiver, and also fill in the sign-in sheet like the one below.

In summary:
Bring your pack with food and water.
Register at the finish line, leave your warm dry clothes here.
Drive to the start -- approximately ten minute drive.

Map of the finish/registration spot
finish map
Map of the start area
Start area

Musquodoboit Muffin Run Results

Scheduling a trail race in the late days of November is an opportunity for us all to experience the drama and ensuing personal victory that comes with playing in the challenging elements harsh as they are in this particular season. The brightness of human will playing out amongst the dark decomposing foliage in a an ebb and flow of rain persistent as the waves beating upon the shore.

Thank you to the Musquodoboit Trailways Association for providing permission and their ongoing upkeep of an outstanding wilderness trail system. Also thank you very much to Jeff for providing administrative duties, and Iain, and Bert for pointing people in the correct direction.  Also thank-you to the Skelhorns for providing delicious pumpkin muffins

Thank you to all the runners. As a race director it is impossible to put into words why we think we do this, but you, the runner is the number one reason in a list in the hundreds of possibly delusion, and at times probably entirely sound, reasons. It is truly inspirational to see the amazing efforts put in by everyone, showing the results of a persistent, and consistent year of training. Congratulations to everyone, and my hat is off to you all for your tremendous performances!

Official Suunto timing chip results:
Jodi       1:39:10
Colin     1:48:34
Tony     1:56:03
Matt      1:58:49
Mark     2:01:35
Stu        2:04:20
Darlene 2:08:37
Ryan     2:10:50
Greg     2:17:16
Daniel  2:18:18
Richard 2:18:48
Sarah    2:22:07
David   2:24:19
Ryan    2:25:48
Jack     2:26:00 (extra distance incorporated)
Chantal 2:27:50
Sean     2:30:03
Jo         2:31:13
Kristina 2:34:53
Amy     2:35:21
Lena     2:35:37
Sheryl  2:37:36
Ron      2:37:36
Gillian 3:01:10
Mary   3:06:31
Jami    3:07:50
Heather 3:07:50
Lynn    3:32:53 (extra distance incorporated)

Musquodoboit Muffin Run 2015 scheduled

Musquodoboit Muffin Run Sunday November 22nd at 10 a.m.
$20, register at the race. Location is near the Bridge Pool on highway 357
Here are the coordinates: 44.872673, -63.220254
One distance of approximately sixteen km. It is the North Granite Ridge Trail. Same as 2014 route.
Don't be deceived by the beginning 4km of flat rail trail, which then turns into 9.5 km of very technical and awesome, and hilly single track in remote wilderness, before finishing with 3 km of flat rail trail to finish.

http://www.trails.gov.ns.ca/tct/hx055.html
The event is entirely self supported: must have own food water, and mobile communication device, or be with someone who has that technology. Expect ice in spots and random slippery conditions. Check the weather report before attending, and dress appropriately. The course takes anywhere from 1.75 to 3.5 hours (power hiking).
Snacks and beverages will be served afterwards.
I hope to see you there!

BTS 2015

Saturday morning may have come as a bit of a shock to those of us used to training in the mid twenties for the past few months. This particular Saturday morning had most of us (eventually) wrapped in full shells, and mid layers battling very strong winds, and energy sucking rain in the first couple hours of the 2015 Beat to Snot.

That first lap went by pretty fast, and most people seemed pretty chipper -giddy even - to be grinding out massive climbs in the ferocious weather, followed by even more grin inducing descents on switchbacks and drops mixed with the open grass and gravel fields of the ski runs. One of the cool features of the course is the visibility of runners on adjacent climbs and descents that allow encouragement to someone five or ten minutes ahead of, or behind you. 

If I think back about a decade, I recall a couple of my "friends" suggested some hill repeats on this very same piece of real estate following our couple hours of running on the hostel trails on the facing side of the valley. After the second climb I found the only way down was backwards because my quads were thrashed into wobbly jello sticks. If you have never run steep hills up or down, you really should try it someday.

One of the memorable aspects of the race was running with Colin and the ferocious pace he threw down on the tortuous t-bar climb, and for that matter all of the climbs. Keeping up the tradition of late night party pre-runs of the course, he already had a lap under his belt from twelve hours previous. Both of us agreed just before I stopped for a Coke, and he for a dry shirt and shell that maybe we went out a bit to quickly on lap one. 

The fog had lifted, the rain had subsided, and the autumn shades of Wentworth Valley were now visible and awe inspiring. 

Lap two began with difficulty. The less steep formerly runnable sections were now changed to "thinking about running it". That carefree descent on the seemingly soft dirt of the GUT trail ,chasing one another like squirrels through the woods for a quarter of an hour, took its toll on valuable and still much needed quads. There was  now a lot more standing water on the first quarter of the course after the rain. Feet were suctioned into chilly water. Pre-cramping twitches were starting to appear in calves, and thighs. Gels, hydration tablets and more gels. That neutral split was quickly vanishing as more walking on the steep "runnable" sections became questionable. But the views! Every ascent returned the favour with a gorgeous view of the valley hardwoods glistening and eye popping colours as you winded your way across the ski runs and into yet more grin giving single-track loaded with berms and bridges.

No negative split, no neutral split, but thirty minutes longer to finish the second lap. Despite having the latest wrist computer gadgetry on hand, apparently I was lacking the mental faculties to accurately do the trail math. Eleven minute kilometre pace. Heart rate at 160 rpm while your gps says 0 km/h.  Somehow it all adds up.

This event is the most everything. The most elevation, the most fun trails, and the most challenging. And the most fun trail run I have run. And the best volunteers. These people are like the epo of volunteers - giving a boost when you really need it! They made my day, my week, probably the rest of the year! When you put your toes on the start line at Beat to Snot, you are about to witness perseverance in yourself, and in your co-competitors that is rarely witnessed and not soon forgotten. Congratulations to everyone! I hope to see you all there again next year!

Musquodoboit Chickadee Run 2014

Here are the official Momentum watch timed results from the November 30, 2014 running of the chickadees. Just twenty minutes separate the first ten runners.

Jodi Isenor 1:48:00

Melissa Allen 1:50:45

Mark Campbell 1:50:50

Jeremy Ronalds 1:51:00

Tom Soehl 2:02:09

Darlene Chapman 2:02:20

Colin Busby 2:03:49

Jason Newton 2:03:51

Sean Cassidy 2:04:45 (unofficial time 1:58:45)

Kevin MacDonald 2:08:05

Karine Isenor 2:10:45

Andrew Woooods 2:10:45

Susanne Ferrier 2:13:05

Matt Keith 2:14:40

Greg Skelhorn 2:25:35

Frank Atherton 2:29:34

Kris Sylliboy 2:32:35

Kristina Brown 2:36:40 (unofficialy 2:26:08!)

Carl Bunguy 3:30:30

Anna Pruneau  3:30:30

Jenny Koutroulakis  3:30:30

Kim Barkhouse  3:30:30

Thank you to all the runners that gave it their best. This is an extremely fun course, that requires a tremendous effort and presence of mind. Every runner deserves a huge congratulations for really challeninging themselves and completing a twisty and hilly course.

Also a big thank you to Mountain Equipment Co-op for supplying us with energy gels for the event. Also a huge thank you to the volunteers Iaian, Tim, and Jack,  as well as the Skelhorns for delicious mega granola bars, and Karine and Jodi for donating some of the famous Nova Scotia Trail Runner Buffs as draw prizes. Great work every one!

Check out the video showing what it takes to navigate the Bog View in its frozen state -- from the race recorded by Tim!

2013 Chezzetcook Chickadee results

Thank you to the volunteers and runners for participating in another awesome Chickadee trail run. I had seen and heard lots of Chickadees the day before, so I know they were out there cheering you on. It was inspirational to see a lot of great efforts, and some milestones achieved by you. Good running!

10 kilometre participants

Matthias Mueller 47:25 Returning and repeat Champion
Colin Busby 48:05 Said something about running sixty kilometres the day previous..
Ryan Goodale 59:04
Kevin MacDonald 59:54
Mark Campbell 59:54 s.t. Drafted off Kevin.
David Steeves 1:01:58 Brings a giant delicious carrot cake!
Celene Hecimovich 1:02:01 Second Trail run ever.
Greg Skelhorn 1:06:25
Pat Mullins 1:06:27
Greg Cunningham 1:15:32
Dave Evans 1:17:25
Susan Cook 1:22:38
Lena Thompson 1:22:38 s.t.

25 kilometre participants

Philip Block 2:00:49 and Petra the wonder dog.
Darryl Ward 2:14:05
Rob Teale 2:19:44
George Creaser 2:18:20
Navid Rahemtulla:) 2:26:40 Had a slice of cucumber for breakfast.
Kris Sylliboy 2:42:45 Longest run of his life.
Amy Lachance 3:27:32
Glen Coolidge 3:27:32 s.t.

Right Some Good

If you are a runner, you will hurt yourself.  For your consideration, my own personalised program for disaster:

-- cardio base fitness from three months of nordic skiing, plugged into legs that have not lost ground contact during those months;

- Build and taper in six weeks for a five hour trail run;

-- Last two weeks taper with lots of rest and mental "running" while hallucinating with feverish flu;

-- Work late and avoid sleeping too much the night before;
-- Grab the bag of decaf beans because eyes are still blurry with sleep.

-- Go out hard, pacing with the fast guys;

-- Is this sweating from fever or am I going out a wee bit fast?

-- I don't understand why is my body doing this to me!

-- I don't understand why I am doing this to my body!

-- Is this what it feels like just before we die?

-- Okay, I might make it back alive if I walk out this excruciating iliotibial band pain;

-- Hey I can run uphill pain free!

-- Why so many downhills?
-- That was the hardest 11.? km of my life. Interesting.

That was how spring began. Not totally a negative experience: I got to  stand on the sidelines and cheer on my buddies and some of the earlier finishers. I got to feel the excitement of, and partipate in, our modest but vital trail running community. Really that is what it is about. 

 And then I started over. Five k'ers, six, eight, eventually up to my fourteen km loop, and beyond.  Glorious distance at long last! Hallajulah! Twenty somethings, thirty somethings, beautiful, splendid and dazzling distances in the woods, on the hills, and even through some streams. 

Now it continues. Be consistent like coach says. Remember to take days off. Ride the bike. Paddle. Strength train a little. Good stuff.

Chezzetcook Chickadee Trail Run, November 24.

The 2013 Chezzetcook Chickadee Trail Run takes place at 10 a.m. Sunday, November 24th. Meet up at the Chezzetcook Firehall in Head of Chezzetcook.

Same course as the 2012 run, with new and improved marking. The 10 km option is a simpler out and back on the first part of the 25 km course. There will be even more trail marking and flags this year, and runners are responsible for paying attention to the trail markings. If you have gone a minute and not seem a marker, then you have gone the wrong way; turn back and find the last intersection/flag/ribbon and follow them accordingly.

The event is UNSUPPORTED without feed or water stations. You will have to provide for your own food and hydration requirements. As usual, muffins, coffee, apples and bananas are available afterwards. You will get your feet wet and dirty, so bring dry socks and shoes and clothes for after the run. Also dress appropriately for the weather; run goes rain shine or snow. Check the weather forecast:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/canada/nova-scotia/dartmouth/

Cost to register is $25, which can be done with me or on Atlantic Chip.

Also the same as last year, most of the proceeds (after insurance, rental and snacks are accounted for) from race go to Parker Street Food Bank.

The ten kilometre out-and-back profile is here:

And here is the 25km