When deciding which trail race to run in August, it came down to my weekend availability and Happy Trails Falling Water race fit perfectly. The other race I had considered was the Devil’s Key; however, the timing wasn’t right. The week before the race however, my schedule changed, the weekend opened up and a friend was looking for help.
I met Bianca Colangelo while volunteering at The Whole Enchilada earlier this summer, during her solo-run, party-race in celebration of her birthday. We connected on a few common topics and she admitted that she was also somewhat new to the trail running scene. Her plan was to run the Devil’s Key with her cousin; however, he had suffered a leg injury and was now unable to run. As she didn’t know anyone running the race and feeling well-rested myself, I offered to run it alongside to help hit her finishing goal. I knew a few trail friends from Falling Water were running also, so it would be a great opportunity to introduce her to some other amazing trail runners.
The event itself offers 3 distances, from 16km, 33km and up to 66km, and is in it’s second year running.
Welcome to the adventure
Course: The course starts and ends at the Devil’s Glen ski club and primarily follows the Bruce Trail through the various escarpment sections, with some side trail and access to private trails leading to gorgeous scenery. The first 16km of the race for all distances begins with a run up one of the ski hills, and continues along the top of the section towards some amazing views, plus the “keyhole”, which requires you to pass through a small and low entrance in a rock face. This portion will loop back out to the road briefly before turning back to the trail in Glen Huron and eventually back to the ski club parking lot again, before heading north for the longer distances. The race continues through the edge of the Devil’s Glen Provincial Park, heading north through the Duntroon Highlands, into the Nottawasaga Lookout nature reserve, and heading further into the Pretty River Valley Provincial park and looping around the Petun Conservation area, at the highest point on the 900km long Bruce Trail. The course was partially marked with orange ribbons and the remaining portions followed the white blazes of the trail markings. The 66km distance also boasts close to 1,800m of elevation gain and loss, so it has a little spice to it.
On-course Support: In total 8 aid station stops were available for the full 66km distance, with a number getting double-duty with looped sections. The options available included fresh fruits, PBJ, salty snacks, pickles, rice krispies, water, Fluid electrolyte drink, ginger ale and coca cola. The final aid station (and turn around point for the 33km) also included hot pierogies and hotdogs which also helped to hit the spot!
Surface: The majority of the course is single track trail, with lots of stone, dirt, so many rocks, roots, a few raised wooden boardwalks, the ski hill climb with a mix of grass, loose dirt and rocks, grassy sections, some gravel road downhill and back uphill as well as a few paved road crossings. Some sections were overgrown, which slowed the pace a little, to ensure both footing and to avoid getting whipped by branches and tall grass. The rock scrambles, especially in the Petun section were slick and treacherous if you weren’t entirely focused.
Weather: The weather was much less humid than the previous few weekends, and made for a more comfortable day in the woods, with the temperature averaging 17°. It was primarily overcast, some flashes of sun and some distant thunder during the day. In the last 4-5km of the race, there was a strong thunderstorm rolling in, which had many of us initially enjoying the breeze that preceded it but then further pushing the pace to beat the wall of rain it was brought.
Sue catching me at my best
Atmosphere: My second Happy Trails race this month and the vibe I leaned into at that race was very evident here. Lots of smiles and excitement in the parking lot before the briefing, found some previous trail friends (Howard Lau and Nancy Krochmalnicki), along with some more familiar faces in Ryan Harris and Jacob Chopin from the Dufferin Dirt Runners. I was also able to get the bib transferred from Bianca’s cousin without any issue.
Post-race: The last 5km or so are downhill and send you back towards the parking lot to the tunnel and finish line. Immediately after, you are awarded your race medal (this year a gorgeous hand-made pottery skull on a ribbon), offered more snacks and had the bell for anyone to ring if they hit a PR. We finished as the skies finally opened up, so we also took shelter under the large tent that was setup for the aid station and merch table.
Overlooking the escarpment at Petun conservation area
Overall: Offering to pace an entire race with someone was not something I had originally thought of when I considered running this but it quickly became a hugely rewarding experience. I may have been listening to too many John Shep podcasts but the idea of community and service to others has been resonating with me recently.
What Bianca lacked in experience, she more than made up for in strength and motivation to run this race and finish it well under the cut-off. With that already pushing her, I simply focused on keeping her nutrition, hydration and effort levels in check and provide some rolling dialogue to help the mileage melt away. Burning off initial nerves in the first 5km and settling in to a manageable pace came easy for her, even if she had concerns about how long she could keep going. Her previous trail experience maxed out at a 50km and shorter races since then, but she was determined to get it done. Knowing first-hand how hard it can be running solo for extended distances, I was happy to provide some comedic relief and helpful nudges along the way.
We worked through a lot of fun topics, including two big motivators for her to complete this race. Firstly, being that awesome roll-model to her two young daughters, which absolutely aligns with my own goals with my children. Secondly, to honour her grandfather who had a love of running the Bruce Trail, taking her with him on occasion when she was young. This race had real meaning to her and I’m ecstatic that I was able to come along for the ride and help her write the next chapter in her racing career.
In the woods with these crazy eyes?!?!
This course was truly gorgeous and had a little bit of everything to keep it interesting. A ski hill, into fields, rocky treelines, root-heavy sections followed by single track cut through rock (and that was just in the first 5km!). The views were breathtaking; the trails were all runnable except for a few rock scrambles in Petun conservation area and the inclines seemed never-ending.
We ran our pace for about 2/3 of the distance, only really seeing the aid station volunteers and a handful of runners who had either passed us or turned back at the 33km turnaround. It was shortly after the northern-most section in Petun, that we started to gather others in our merry band. First Jacob, then Nancy and Ryan, we were soon a travelling circus of clowns, cracking jokes and bonding in our misery of the final 3km of ascent before the final aid station. Bear jokes, clock jokes, dunked hats in the streams and just late-stage race tomfoolery, collectively kept our spirits raised and the fun continuing.
At this point we started to see other runners on our heels (Nora Sleeth), as there was a stormfront moving in and while the wind was certainly welcome in the field, the wall of rain on the horizon was not something we wanted to add to the challenge in the final technical km. Bianca to her credit kept the pace without complaint as we upped the effort to finish as a group. Was this the same woman who had questioned her own strength and endurance just hours ago? 😁
We finished just before the sky opened up with torrential rains and Bianca’s family was there to cheer her over the finish line. My smile was reflected in those of her daughters and husband (who had made some fantastic signs) and I couldn’t wait to see her ring the PR bell (also rung by Ryan Harris). I congratulated the other members of our merry band and even celebrated Howard taking 3rd on the podium with a truly strong race, before we had a group photo by the always amazing Sue Sitka (whom credit must go to for many of these photos)
Our merry band of clowns
Final: At no other point in my life would I have even considered it possible to run an ultra race on a whim, let alone 66km with that kind of elevation profile. I wasn’t there for myself or my own goals but solely to help a new friend reach her own. It was a different type of race-day pressure and one that I could only provide influence and assistance toward.
I’m incredibly proud of Bianca for the effort that she gave and seeing her accomplish the race that she ran was more than enough to fill my heart on the day. Further hearing from the others in the merry band, as well as a few runners we picked up closer to the finish, that we helped make their day and their race, well, that just helps to cement the power of community, especially on the trails.
Finishing goal achieved and new friends made! Winner!
Results:
Bianca: 12:11:54 | 54/65 | 6/6 Female 30-39
Jacob: 11:52:54 | 47/65 | 9/9 Male 30-39
Ryan: 12:11:12| 52/65 | 18/20 Male 40-49
Nancy: 12:11:07 | 51/65 | 5/6 Female 30-39
Howard Lau: 8:11:16 | 3/65 | 3/9 Male 30-39
Me: 12:11:54 | 55/65 | 20/20 Male 40-49
Thank you to the organizers at Happy Trails Racing for all of their hard work, my fellow competitors, the event sponsors and of course all of the volunteers who gave their time and energy for the day, as none of this is possible without their support.
Hunting for trail
