ULTRAMARATHON RUNNERS TACKLE THE NORTH SHORE TRAILS 

West Vancouver, British Columbia – The second Saturday of July is coming up, and that can only mean one thing for a growing number of enthusiastic long-distance runners – time for the Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run (the “Knee Knacker”). The race traverses the trails of West and North Vancouver, and the nineteenth edition takes place on Saturday July 14, 2007. 

The race started out as a “fun run” with only 8 participants in 1989, when the sport of ultramarathoning (races longer than a 26.2 mile marathon) was in its infancy in Canada.  While there are races over distances much longer than the 30 miles covered by the Knee Knacker, not many are tougher.  Canada’s largest ultramarathon race takes participants from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove along the 30-mile (48.6 km) Baden-Powell trail.  Runners go up, over, and around the major North Shore mountains – Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour – gaining over 8,000 feet (2,400 m) in elevation along the way for a total elevation change of over 16,000 feet (4,800 m). 

Over the years, top ultramarathoners from around the world have traveled from afar to challenge themselves in what is referred to as the “knarliest” footrace in Canada.  However, the great appeal of the race is that it caters to adventure seekers of all levels and not just the elite competitors.  Race participants were selected by lottery in March.  By the luck of the draw, 200 racers will toe the line on race day.  Half of these runners will be taking part in the race for the first time. 

This year’s race will see both the women’s course record holder, New Westminster’s Suzanne Evans, and men’s course record holder, Kevin Titus return to defend their records. 

Whistler’s Titus is returning after a 3-year hiatus and will be challenged by an impressive field including 2-time champion (2005 & 2006) & world-class triathlete, North Vancouver’s Mark Bates, and 6-time overall champion, 9-time finisher, and current master’s champion, Peter Findlay of Kamloops.  Findlay’s previous course record (1991) stood the test of time until Titus lowered it by almost 3 minutes to 4 hours and 42 minutes in 2003.  This will be the first time that all three elite athletes will race the North Shore together. 

In the women’s race, 2-time champion (2005 & 2006), North Vancouver’s Suzanne Evans will look to defend her title.  Evans set a blistering pace in 2006, bettering the previous women’s course record by an impressive 22 minutes and finishing 3^rd overall.  Topping the list of competitors ready to challenge Evans for victory are 2-time women’s champion (2003 & 2004), and current master’s champion, Patricia Jensen, former champion Jacquie Trudeau (2002) and 2005’s women’s second place finisher, Tracy Wakaluk. 

This year’s oldest competitor, Harvey Nelsen, 73, of Langley, is looking to complete his 6^th Knee Knacker, competing in the Super-Veterans category.  Two additional athletes are expecting to celebrate a significant milestone upon their successful completion of Saturday’s race.  Peter Findlay and August Albrecher are looking to join the exclusive 10-time finishers club, a feat accomplished by only 21 athletes to date.  This year’s race will also see two former Race Directors run – proof that the Knee Knacker gets in your blood.  Race co-founder, Enzo Federico (1989, 1992 & 2006 finishes) and Paul Quinn (1995 champion and 13-time finisher) will participate in the 19^th Annual Knee Knacker. 

The race itself starts at 6:00am Saturday, July 14^th just above Horseshoe Bay, Exit #4, off of Westport Road.  Runners must arrive at the Panorama Park beach in Deep Cove by the race cut-off time of 4:00pm.  Following is an estimated schedule of where and when to catch the runners in action: 

A schedule of race activities is available at http://www.kneeknacker.com.  Members of the media are invited and encouraged to attend any or all of the activities.  A good opportunity to meet the runners is at registration & race briefing Friday, July 13^th, from 5:30- 8:00pm at North Shore Athletics (#101–1200 Lonsdale Ave, N. Vancouver). 

The Knee Knacker is a volunteer run, non-profit race that has donated over $40,000 to community organizations.  Proceeds from this year’s race will benefit the North Shore Search & Rescue.  For further information contact: