Christopher McDougall, Author Born to Run
Dwayne Sandall, Race Director, Spruce Woods Ultra
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| Spruce Woods Provincial Park Ultra-Marathon (photo credit Tim McKay) |
The Spruce Woods Ultra Marathon was my first official trail
race and is now a must-do event. MRA
Hall of Fame recipient, Dwayne Sandall and his cheery crew of volunteers are to be
congratulated for hosting this most groovy event.
It’s the independent spirit and off-the-grid thinking that makes this
event stand a cut above the rest. I lost
my trail runner's virginity and it was epic.
Within minutes of arriving at the rag-tag race headquarters
at the forest edge we were warmly welcomed.
The half marathon was the last of four events to depart. The 100 milers
started 22 hours earlier, the 50 milers at 6:00AM, the 50 k’ers at 8:30 AM, and
the sissy little boy/girl half marathon event at 10:00 AM.
Dwayne walked the half marathoners to their start; a scrub bush on the trail. He scraped a
start line in the sand with his boot heel and announced unceremoniously “There’s
our line”.
I reflect on the symbolism of drawing a line in the
sand. George Carlin said we must all
draw a line in the sand and take a giant leap beyond that line. And that’s what
we did; we soared over the line. The unknown lies beyond and that is
why we run from one line to another; never truly satisfied, always searching
for answers that lay just over yonder, beyond the line in the sand.
A runner darted out for a nervous pee two minutes before
start time. The catcalls from the race
director and others were met with good natured guffaws. Looking about, I sized up the motely crew of
trail runners silhouetted by the gorgeous sun.
What a beautiful sight to behold… smiles and sun, laughter and good
cheer. To participate in this epic journey is a blessing of blessings.
Truly friends, this was a beautiful day to be alive. In the moment, alone and together, life itself smiles down upon us as we surge in perpetual forward motion.
I can’t say I saw ghosts of the Kalahari, but I sure sensed
their presence. Passing several 100-mile runners I became overwhelmed with
admiration. Fatigued beyond imagination,
placing one exhausted foot in front of one exhausted foot, they move forward
with untold determination. My heart choked
as I witnessed Bert from Brandon cross over the line into his mother’s arms; the
last 50 paces brutally slow as if struggling through quicksand. He stepped over
the line, slowly, purposefully, and simply stopped and stared. I have witnessed
human perfection on a grandiose scale and it sends shivers up my spine.
The course rolls gracefully through Spruce Woods Provincial
Park. The views are stunningly beautiful. We gather steam on the few flats, and huff
and puff on the endless ups and down. The never-ending
ups and downs are a test of our grit. The
sand is soft and bogs us down. Tangents
are impossible. This is not road racing;
this is something entirely different, entirely beautiful. Someone summarized
the course as “It isn’t technical, but it sure is fun”.
Indeed, it sure is fun and it sure is a good day to be alive. Thank you Dwayne and crew. It was a most fantabulous day.
Mike
