|
|
|
|
|
Thanks from the Knee Knacker Community!Thank you to everyone who has been in touch - we have been overwhelmed by the e-mails, phone calls, stories & thanks. Please enjoy the read through of the following & thank you to everyone who gave us permission to post your thoughts. “Every runner on the planet should be so lucky as to run the Knee Knacker.” – Kevin Kramps, 2006 Finisher
“Thank you for organizing a flawless Kneeknacker. The route was the best ever, the markings the best ever, the shirts the best ever, and the photos, results, and computer postings the best ever. The Kneeknacker is my favourite race, and this year and each year makes the event a stronger and stronger institution on the British Columbia and international trailrunning scene. Many thanks for all of your hard work, which paid off in this enormously fun and rewarding event.” - David Crerar – note David did Western States 100 two weeks before Knee Knacker! “I just wanted to say thanks for another great Kneeknacker. As I experienced for the first time last year, you guys go all out! I was hoping you could pass on thanks to the volunteers at Mountain Highway (sorry can't remember names) and the two guys from North Shore Search and Rescue who helped me out when I (as it turns out) dislocated my ankle. After they wrapped it I was convinced I could continue as it didn't look bad, but they talked me out of it. As I sit here today with a swollen and painful foot I can see it was good advice! Thanks again to everyone in the organizing group, looking forward to next year.” - Jamie Leigh “Thanks very much to all those who made this year's kknstr such a success. Again, as in years past, the organization was terrific. Also this year's banquet was great. Loved the beef kebobs. I enjoyed the course so much that I felt compelled to spend almost the full 10 hr exploring it. If I feel better by February I'm sure I'll try for no.9.” - Phil Seybold “I want to send my congratulations to everybody on the Knee Knacker Committee for an outstanding job! The endless planning and the many hours of dedication paid off. I don't know how you guys do it! And to top it off, at the end of the day, everybody gets a certificate with their name and their finishing time as well as two pictures! Wow! Talk about working hard up to the last minute. I am impressed. Thanks again...the memories of KK 2006 will stay with me for a very long time.” - Marianne Stark “Thanks for an incredibly well organized race. I particularly enjoyed the bagpipes at the starting line! Thanks again for a great race, see you next year.” - Steve Ennis “Hi all, I just wanted to say thanks! Thanks Kelsy, Francine, Andrew, Enzo, Jeff, Craig, Rod, Glenn, Greg, Bonnie, Andrew, Sharon and all the many volunteers and helpers for organizing and helping to put on such an incredible race! The organization was fantastic, the aid stations had everything needed and tons of supporters all along the course. The before race support and after race fun was truly first class. The people of North Vancouver were truly gracious with their support for the Kneeknacker. Everything was perfect even the weather. The course was extraordinary - climbing rocks, jumping mud puddles, hopping through some snow, trekking through swamp, leaping over and under logs, bridges, scenic paths, quad shredding downhills and breath taking uphills - the Kneeknacker has it all. I can see why so many runners return year after year - the course challenges the runner to the extreme and the race committee and volunteers help ease the pain! Every runner on the planet should be so lucky as to run the Kneeknacker. Thanks so much - I will treasure the memories of this run for years to come.” - Kevin Kramps, 2006 Finisher. “Thank you so much for giving me the race instructions 'in brief' last night. And thank you to everyone for such an amazing run. The people were fantastic all along the route and the snacks were really helpful (next time I eat more...and train!). We will not make the banquet due to the kids, but I know it will be just as great as everything else. My family is proud (and my knees are knackered!), thank you!” - Carole McClean “Please forward this on to the KKNSTR committee. Anne-Marie and I would like to thank you for organizing this awesome event and we appreciate the opportunity you gave to us. Participating in the run, participating at the finish line and attending the banquet were all great experiences. The massage students had a great time and mentioned they appreciated having the runners thank them for volunteering their time etc. The students also noted how nice everyone was as compared to other events. The trail running community is a special group of people. I was happy to finish the race after experiencing some bad quadracep cramping at the bottom of the Grouse Grind. From then on it was survival mode to the finish. I was shooting for a 7:30 time but a 8:22 isn't too bad. I'm sure feeling it today. I have to blame Craig Moore for getting me into this trail running stuff. As a former neighbor of his I would see him doing yard work with his latest Kneeknacker shirt not the mention having to listen to his "long winded" trail running stories. I guess this is my way of saying "Thanks Craig". I can't wait till next year. All the best and have a great summer.” - Monty Watts - Internal Energy Healing Arts “I wanted to say congratulations once again on organizing an awesome race. I've heard only the greatest of comments from all the racers. Everything seemed to go incredibly smoothly. Thanks again for all the hard work you put into the event. See you soon.” – Tom Skinner - North Shore Athletics “Thank you for a well organized race. The day was great aid and water stations were well supplied. Thank for all your hard work. Great race.” - Susan Giuffre “Thank you for yet another extraordinary and memorable KKNSTR!! With each race comes it's challenges - challenges which could not be met head-on and overcome without the incredible spirit, energy and dedication of everyone involved...volunteers, race committee and runners alike. I'm happy to report that my 'freaky' loss of vision was in fact temporary and I woke this morning with only the familiar aches and pains felt in every muscle below the neck. Thanks to all the amazing volunteers who were so extremely supportive, encouraging and helpful, and to one who offered up his contact solution which I was hoping would correct matters. Thanks to Glenn and team for an incredibly well marked trail again - having unfortunately missed all but 1 of the training runs this year, I wasn't so sure I could rely on my memory. And, a BIG thanks to Daniel Probst #138 who, when I could no longer see the pink tape nor the trail beneath my feet, slowed his pace and lead the way for me from Mt. Seymour Rd, stopping each time I tripped and tumbled. He gave up a sub-7 for me and to that I am grateful. Sorry to have missed the best part of it all - the celebration of amazing accomplishments and efforts by amazing people. There might just be another KKNSTR in me yet... THANKS AGAIN!!” - Anna Zaremba “Please pass on my Thanks to the entire RC for an event that was phenomenal in every sense of the word. The organization, the route, the volunteers... truly, a job well done. For me, my Dad flew out from Winnipeg to be my 'coach' for the weekend as he's a previous Marathoner and still runs 1/2's at 71. We had an amazing time together that transcended normal 'family time'. Can't quite put it into words. With all the thanks flying around at the banquet I never heard anyone thank you; you were never flustered and you seemed like you were everywhere...!!! Nice work !! and Thank You.” – Ken “My heartiest thanks & congratulations to you & the team for a well organized & painful 2006 Kneeknacker. Yours truly.” - Howard Davidson, Kelowna, 1st time kneeknacker “Hazel has no regrets. Afterwards, she went to thank Greg for letting her through the 1/2 way mark even when she was 7 minutes over. She was quite happy to make it to the 3/4. With an extra month of training, she would have no problem finishing in 10 hours. She can't wait for next year. Have a well deserved rest and enjoy the sunshine yourself as you have brought sunshine to many peoples' lives!” - John Wong - see link to Hazel Wong’s Knee Knacker journey “Hello, Thanks for putting on such an amazing race. The volunteers were so helpful and much appreciated! They were all outstanding as usual!” - Russ Chore and Christine Rybak “Just a quick note to say that you and your team have put on another fantastic race. This is only my second time, but it keeps getting better. Your enthusiasm and that of the rest of the volunteers tells all. Thank you!” – JP Obbagy “Thanks for hosting another excellent Knee Knacker! It really is the greatest race. I wore my shirt to work the other day and received a lot of comments from people - they love it! Never mind the poster, Jeff has his work cut out for him with next year's shirt. ;> Please pass on my thank you's and congratulations to all of the race committee. I can't wait for next year!” – Berglind Hafsteins “…again, such a fantastic day- you guys really do an amazing job, you should be proud.” – Jacquie Trudeau - 2000 Women’s Champion “Well, I hope you and all your race committee members have had a chance to catch your breaths just a little bit? You have all earned and deserve it, that is for sure. I just wish to express my appreciation for all the hard work you and your committee have put into the Kneeknacker and to all those volunteers who spend the hours on the trail, feeding and drinking us, as we pass on through, swatting the mosquitoes and black flies on Black and Cypress, but always with a welcoming smile and warm wishes as we get to carry on our way. The Kneeknacker is much more than a race (I am sure you are aware, but does not hurt to remind)--it is an awesome event! As a testament to the longevity of this event, credit for having a vision and realizing the potential of hosting Canada's best ultratrail run, much thanks needs to be given to you, the organizers, the sponsors who continue to value and believe in this event and the hundreds of volunteers who give of their time and energy to see the smooth running on the day. I always come away with a big wide smile and grin during and after the tour across the mountains in the most spectacular setting amongst the world's (in my eyes) most attractive city. And, heck, I have fun running those trails, knowing that 200 others are too making their way toward Deep Cove. So, please pass on my appreciation and thanks to the race (event) committee members in any future conversations. Cheers, and now it is your turn to hit the trails. Sincerely,” - Peter Findlay - 6-time champion, course record holder 1991-2002, 9-time finisher & 2004-2006 Masters Champion. |
|
