The monsoon didn’t stop until the race committee was heading down the Sea to Sky Gondola after the medals had been handed out.
“As soon as we packed up, there were sunny skies,” Sky Pilot trail run co-race director Geoff Langford said.
Despite the onslaught of rain on Sunday, Sept. 19, the hearty runners who had signed up for the sold-out 14 and 21-kilometre trail races were raring to go. However, the wet trails did send the race committee to the blackboard, as organizers met with Sea to Sky Gondola staff and ƵappSearch and Rescue official John Wilcox to review the situation. The team ended up shortening the long course to 16 kilometres.
“Rescues weren’t going to be possible,” Langford said noting the low cloud cover and high winds.
The rain didn’t dampen runners’ attitudes.
“Everyone still had smiles on their faces as they crossed the finish line,” Landford continued.
Squamish’s Nick Elson won the men’s 16 km race with a time of 1:19:09. The avid climbing and ski mountaineering athlete has successfully transitioned into trail running. In 2014, Elson was the winner of the Ƶapp50, a 50-mile race.
Elson was followed closely by Victoria’s Shaun Stephens-Whale, Langford said.
“It was surprisingly close. Elson was about 30 seconds ahead.”
Stephens-Whale clocked 1:19:20.
Vernon’s Aaron Heidt came in third place. Heidt is a veteran in ultra races. In 2013, he won the Canadian Death Race.
Vancouver’s Anne-Marie Madden crossed the line in first place for the women’s 16 km with a time of 1:38. Madden is a member of the elite Canadian long-course triathlon and duathlon teams. She has competed around the world.
Laura O’Driscall followed Madden with a time of 1:59. Vancouver’s Flavie Pelletier came in third place.
The men’s and women’s winners for the 14 km race was a couple from Minneapolis who had just moved to Seattle, Langford said. Adam Frye crossed the line with a time of 1:28, the exact same time as his partner, Ladia Albertson-Junkans.
Tony Richardson came second in the men’s 14 km with a time of 1:32, and Jordan Brietzke was third with 1:34.
Tiffany Phillips followed Albertson-Junkans, clocking 1:43. Brigitte Martinson was seven minutes behind her.
“They were all really pushing it,” Langford said of the racers.
For more race results, visit www.coastmountaintrailseries.com.