Lots of Team News

Well, where to begin.
Our team members that took off to Run for the Toad went, saw and conquered. Ryne Melcher returning home to former stomping grounds took the overall 50 km win, Gary Robbins not far behind to take second overall. Ellie Greenwood continued her domination of trail running by winning the 25 km event.
Thanks to the Run for the Toad crew for putting on Canada's largest trail running event and making the team fee very welcome!!

Next up-the Halloween Run. This saw the welcoming of two new team members. Trail running phenom, just off from having a baby 4 MONTHS ago Lisa Polizzi and fresh blood to the trails over the last couple years Aaron Heidt (Diez Vista CR which has seen stars like Scott Jurek, William Emerson, Peter Reid, Hal Hoerner, Phil Kochik race it!!). 5 members laced up for this including me. This was my first trail race....almost of the year after some physical and mental battles. But I am back and stoked to get back to form. The race saw Aaron Heidt take 2nd overall and Aaron Pitt round out the top 5. For our women, low key but sensational trail runner Cheryl Beatty took 2nd, and Lisa Polizzi took 3rd in her first race in over a year. Great run guys.

3rd-Gary Robbins went down to a stacked field to try his hand at getting on of the 3 Western States spots at Mountain Masochist. Lots of trash talk before this race...Karl Meltzer put Gary ad 8-1 odds I think. I emailed both he and Clarke Zealand saying he will podium and will make Western States. Looks like I was correct in my confidence in Gary. 50 Miles is a great distance for him. Not only did he come top 3, he had the speed to finish 2nd to Eric Grossman...not a bad accomplishment. So Gary earned an automatic entry into Western States-THE BIG SHOW!!!!! All I can say is this advice given to me 10 years ago. "100 miles is not like running 50 miles twice..." Anything can happen there but in my opinion Gary is Canada's leading trail ultra runner right now and he should represent. ps-vote for Obama while you're down their Gary.

The racing season is coming to a close-but there will be snowshoeing, backcountry ski touring and of course trail running. I'll be busting my ass to give my teammates a run for their money. I need to get into 2007 form!

Peace

Team Members heading East!

Three team members are heading to Ontario for Run for the Toad-25/50km trail race. Gary Robbins (fresh of the U.S Cle Elum 50 km WIN!), Ellie Greenwood and Ryne Melcher. Here is a piece from the RD of RFTT!

Hello Dom,
This years Run for the Toad is sure to provide high drama in both the 25 and 50k events. With the Montrail Teams arrival this year we are bound for some East versus West adrenaline pumping 50k moments. Montrail team member Ryne Melcher has yet to win the Toad but we sense this year Ryne is determined to fill the one gaping hole in his running resume – and the fact that he knows the course well, he may just tidy up unfinished business. Montrail team mate Gary Robbins will surely be one to watch. In looking over Gary’s impressive 2007 and 2008 first place finishes you know this guy has speed and has demonstrated his tactical superiority in every sense. Tactical savvy is an asset when racing the Toad. We are talking about a course that takes a pacing skill-set to bring home the gold. Course record? Ryne, for one, knows that step will not come easy.

So is the Toad a West 1st, 2nd finish? Before anyone makes that prediction you may want to take a good look at these three other individuals. When it comes down laying claim to 50k territory at the Toad none does it better than three time Toad winner Giles Malet. He knows how tempting and irresistible it is to blitz those first 2 loops. Well rounded Giles starts with experience and by the third loop knows his opponents – also a crowd favorite. Another home favorite is Clayton Sloss a racer that picks his races well. He can race in the heat and from our own observation knows how to get comfortable at goal speed. Then there is Jim Orr who credits lady luck and supportive family to a string of success making him a 2007 North American Trophy Series Ultra marathon champion. And to think this guy is 52 years young.
We are very excited having Montrail racer Ellie Greenwood in our 25k lineup. With Ellie’s string of ultra performances to her credit it will be notable watching Ellie on what might be considered for her a sprint-distance category.
We are immensely happy overall that Montrail a Toad sponsor will be setting up their technical shop this year race expo. At the Toad we attract many of those cross-over asphalt to trail racers and the need for more education in this growing trail racing climate will be well received.

We are also hoping many of our racers and spectators staying at our host hotel Cambridge Best Western will get a chance to visit with Elli, Gary and Ryne during their stay.

Kindest personal regards,

George & Peggy

Team just waiting to sign new athlete

Yes, our team is just waiting. A new rockstar-he might be running Western States in 2028...why so long, because we're just waiting for him to be born. My baby is coming any day now and I am stoked to throw on trail runners with him, big FAAAAT skis, road and mountain bikes and maybe a turntable...Well, really, he'll do what he likes, but it would be cool if he picks up trail running in a decade or so!
I figure that once I am back fit, it will be very cool to see him and I both school Gary-lol!!! 20 years from now, I'll be 54, Gary 50, and Myles obviously 20. So yes, it's a boy and his name is Myles.
Just hoping everything goes well in delivery.

Ellie Keeps Rolling!

With this being Ellie's first real trail running year, I figured I'd do a Q3 recap of her races.
First Half 1/2 Marathon Feb 2008 - 1h23m34s - 6th woman

Dirty Duo 50km - 1st woman

Diez Vista 50km April 2008 - 4h59m - 1st woman

Boston Marathon - April 2008 -3h07m20s - 122nd woman!

Vancouver Marathon May 2008 - 2h55m28s - 3rd woman (1st 'Canadian'!)

Scorched Sole 50km June 2008 - 4h39m - 1st woman, 2nd overall

Iron Knee 25km - 1h54m52s - 1st woman

Longest day 5km road race -18m03s - 4th woman

Peak Challege 12km -1h26m53s - 6th woman (out of 8 in the elite division!)

Stormy 50 miler -8h 19m - 1st woman (2nd overall)

Next for Ellie is Victoria Marathon. I'm sure she'll kill it!

Team Rocks Stormy!!

Not sure where to start. So Ladies first (Sorry Gary!)
Ellie Greenwood and Cheryl Beatty raced the Stormy 50 miler Canadian Trail Championships on Saturday. Both finished 1-2 and second and third overall!! Cheryl Beatty is the new holder of the Canadian 50 Mile Womens Trail Title. Talking to Cheryl after, she said "never running over 50 km again"....but that's what she said in May after Miwok 100, so...SO Cheryl is holder of the Canadian 50 mile and Canadian Snowshoe championship!

Ellie, has been fighting injury, and pulled off another win!!! She is pretty unstoppable on the trails this year!

Next, Stormy 100 Miler, the field was not large, but I'd say it would not matter. Gary Robbins, in my assessment, is probably the fastest male trail ultra runner right now in BC for sure...and I'd say nationwide but I don't want to start a rivalry. This was Gary's first 100 miler, on what would be considered a fast 100 mile course. But, it's 100 miles and to run 17:39 is not fast, it's smokin' fast! Gary fought through the usual 100 mile demons and cruised for 1st overall.

Not sure what is next for the team, Aaron still battling injury, I'm just starting to feel good again-but-Ryne Melcher is off to Leadville for the Leadville 100-Good Luck!!!

Gary's first 100 mile week

My First Ever 100 Mile Week
I took the Monday off to rest and recover, even though I was feeling quite good overall. It was late Monday when I set a goal for the week. 100 miles of running (161km). I have never been able to dedicate my training 100% to my running as it's always been a balance between riding, running, paddling, and gym work. I figured with less than a month until the Stormy 100 miler I might as well put on the horse blinders and see how my body responded.

Mon 14th: Day off of training

Tue 15th: 5h15m(40km)

Headed out to try and run the first 1/2 of the Knee Knacker course. 'Try' because it's quite a complex little route with many twists and turns, and I am notorious for finding scenic routes while out running new terrain. I hit the top of Black Mtn in 1h15m and Cypress in 1h45m, which was decent. I wasn't racing, and was making mental notes all along the route to ensure that I was 100% confident in it for future, faster attempts. From here however, it all went to shit. Hollyburn Chutes and it was game over...I reached Cleveland Damn in just under 4hr!
There were a few hikers that I passed less than 2km after departing the Cypress area...and they were walking Cleveland Damn up ahead of me as I came in! I turned to them and said,
"Next time I'll just follow the friggin hikers!!"
From here I continued up towards Grouse and eventually onto some trails and back to my place on Lonsdale. A technical and steep 40k route that took just over 5hr to complete. Roxy looked at me with 3km to go and simply stopped to curl up under a tree for a few minutes. It was a hot day and I was pretty shattered afterwards.
-Then out for a 1hr paddle in Deep Cove as part of the Tues night racing series
(day off of work)


Wed 16th: 2hr (20km)
Drive to The Callaghan Valley to lay out my running courses for The Callaghan Crusher on August 24th. This will be the first ever trail race to be held in The Callaghan, which is the site of the 2010 Olympic Nordic events. The course is gonna be beautiful! (day off of work)




Thu 17th: 1h15m (15km)
Out for an evening run with Ryne Melcher, also of Team Montrail - Mountain Hardware. Best running pace I've sustained since getting back on my feet and felt great!

Fri 18th: 1h45m (20km)
Pretty much straight up for 10k and then straight back down. Another solid run

Sat 19th: 3h45m (40km)
Head up to Squamish after work to join a Stormy training run group. Run the first portion of the course. Felt great physically, but had some stomach issues. Was awesome to be running at night with the headlamp on again! The Princeton Tec Apex is like my secret weapon for this race!!

Sun 20th: 4h45m (30km)


After work Jackie and I head out to run a backcountry route through Hanes Valley. Incredible evening, and once again loved the headlamp running after an incredible sunset from the top of Grouse mountain.



TOTALS: 18h45m - 165km

Roxy pretty much sums up how I feel about the week!




I was intending to try to hit the 200km mark for this current week, but after a very tough 45km run yesterday I realized that I might be a little tired from it all. Either way I feel great overall and the main thing is that the injuries are gone and no new ones have popped up to replace them yet!

Took today, Wed off and will get back to it again tomorrow morning. 16 days and counting...maybe the 200k wasn't the smartest idea anyways!

GR

Canadian Mountain Running Championships

This weekend is th Canadian Mountain Running Championships in North Vancouver.
Our Own Ellie Greenwood will be lacing up!

Gary is battered and bruised or I am sure he would. He was riding the 7 day stage race BC Bike Race and suffered a series of mishaps that has put him out for a bit. He'll be back. The rest of us are regrouping!

I am shooting for a couple fall ultras and to prime up fo the Halloween Trail Marathon on the North Shore. This will see the revival of my trail running after a very odd season for me (or lack of one!).

Cheryl Beatty is heading to do a very long trail flash but I have to keep it in the bag until she's does it. It's long, steep, mountainous and should be fun.....in a not fun kind of way!

Western States Cancelled

...not much more to say. I feel so bad for all the runners, crew, family, volunteers, event coordinators! I can't believe it. Very sad. I know what level of commitment it takes to get ready for this race. The weekends, weeks and months of prep work-gone....sure they can run another race but it won't be THE race....

Miwok and Van Marathon-Team does great

Well, we had runners in tow races this weekend. Ellie Greenwood finishing her road series before getting back on the trail circuit and Gary Robbins, Ryne Melcher, Cheryl Beatty and myself heading down to my favorite race-Miwok 100km.

Miwok 100km is a beautiful course, super well organized and fast. The terrain varies from coastal, to inland heat,amazing views, fast rolling single track.

Gary Robbins had a goal of sub 9, the rest just to run well. I think about 250 started the race and it is always really competitive. When the gun went off, we settled in. I ran with Cheryl Beatty for about 30 km, while Gary and Ryne worked on up ahead. Not coming into this race super prepared for longer distance, I was not sure if I would run more than 50, but I knew the others would be fine.

I ran to 45 and decided that was it for me, I would now become a cheering squad for my friends. Gary Robbins rolled back through the 65 km check in 6th overall, and running very close to the sub 9 hour mark he set. Cheryl and Ryne cruised through. Cheryl was in 5 or 6th and Ryne was looking in rough shape. With encouragement, Ryne set out to finish this bastard.

Off the the finish line I went with Danielle and we waited. Click, there goes the 9 hour mark. Click, Click, Click, runners coming in and no Gary. 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th...Well, Gary had put in a lot of time on some of these folks...I knew something happened. Yes-he missed a turn (people miss it every year) and ran about 11 minutes the wrong way-22 total. Well, it would have been close. At 9:22 he crossed the line in 12th. An excellent race!

Cheryl crossed the line of her first 100 km run in about 10:30. Feeling great. Cheryl has a long adventure racing history and I wil admit I was happy when she told me that was the most suffering she has ever done!! She rocked.

Melcher suffered-a lot. but this was a better victory than many the others. With 50 km and 50 mile times like 3:10 and low 6's 50 milers, ego can often get in the way of finishing. He put it aside, suffered, and finished Miwok '08!

Congrats to the team-next up is the 1/2 Knacker!

Ellie Greenwood decided to lace up for the Vancouver Marathon. I don't have a race report yet but I know she was 3rd woman and ran a 2:55!!

Miwok or umm. Me Walk?

Well, the team is ready to roll, 4 of us heading to Miwok 100 km next weekend. Gary Robbins will lead the pack out after coming off an amazing Diez Vista 50 km (2nd place). Cheryl Beatty is ready to roll and I think Ryne Melcher is feeling good. That leaves me (beer)......um, errrr, ok, maybe Miwok or me-walk (beer). No excuses (beer), my longs runs have not been so loooong (beer) and I'm just not as fit (beer) as I need to be. But May will be bear down time for Western. I just need to get through Miwok in 1 piece (beer)!

So, let's see Gary take one for the team and Cheryl Beatty roll through her first 100km!

Ellie Run Boston-Miwok Next

Well Boston marathon is WAY off being a trail race but being THE marathon of all marathons I couldn't resist the temptation to run Bean Town when I herad a few friends were heading over this year. A few friends and a total of 21, 963 other runners, this was not going to be a laid back and low key event. The whole Boston experience is slick , professional and organised to perfection. I arrived a couple of days ahead of time to have a chance to get over the journey and explore a little of the city. This was a great idea as even though we over did it on the sightseeing on the first day (walking is way more exhausting than running!) it meant we had the day before the marathon to chill and enjoy the US womens Olympic Trials. What better way to get into racing spirit other than watching the top US women battle it out for 3 highly coveted places to Beijing - the atmosphere was electric and the crowds have me an idea of what to expect the next day.

Marathon Monday dawned (Boston marathon is always held on Patriot's day - a holiday in Massachuessetts) - though not quite soon enough for us getting up just before 5am - a full 5 hours before the race gun went off. First a shuttle bus to get the the T (as Boston's transit system is called), then a ride on the T to get to the marathon shuttle to transport us to the start. As we all piled on to the school buses we seemed to bear an eary resemblance of prisoners being taken off to be incarcerated! But instead we were deposited near the race start where a whole athlete's village was set up to hold all the runners before being called to the start. We'd lucked out this year and already the sun was begining to come through the clouds and the temperature was rising. One last trip to the portapotty (about half an hour just to get to one!) and we were hearded like cattle into corals of 1000 runners. The corals are based on qualifying time so the better your time, the better your start position.

Despite the crowds I was amazed that it took me less than 10 minuts to get to cross the start line and even my first mile was only about 20 seconds off pace. Soon I settled into a comfortable pace (as this was a training run for Vancouver marathon 2 weeks later) and I began to soak up the whole experience. Supporters lined both sides of the course, usually several rows deep. Kids handed out oranges and popsicles and looked so forlorn at the prospect that you might not high five them, that you just had to. At first I wished I had put my name on my shirt to get more chering as others were getting who had personalised their shirts but after a while i decided that too much sideline support was possible and I just wanted to run without having to feel obliged to smile at each and every stranger that cheered from the sidelines. Just when I thought it could get not get louder I heard a roar in the distance that grew louder and louder - it could only be Wellesley college! Thousands of girls lined the sidewalks quite literally sreaming their heads off! I think it was at about this point I began to wish I had brought my ear plugs!

Boston is a net down hill course and everyine talks of the need to take it easy at the start to avoid trashing your quads, but I think that any trail runnner can safely ignore this advice! Infamous Heartbreak Hill? That mountain that stands at the 21 mile mark? I was half way up it before I even realised it was Heartbreak and I was at the top about 1 minute later. I think 'Heartbreak Molehill' would be a more fitting name for anyone that has run trails!

That said, the last 4 miles were tough. The crowds were loud, the temperarture was peaking and the road was rolling. In addItion as there are mats to track your chip every 5km there is some sort of pressure to keep an even pace rather than just get a good finishing time! It was with welcome relief that I saw the finish banner over Boylston Avenue and made a final push to the end. 3:07:20 after that start I stumbled over the finish, happy to have run a solid race and set a PB.

I would highly recommend Boston as an experience to any runner. To be part of such a huge and prestigious race with the history of Boston is worth it alone. It's not trail running - you should not expect to escape the crowds and find peace and quiet. You should expect a highly organised road race on a course where you feel you have achieved something by just taking part. It's one BIG running celebration and Boston knows how to party!

Ellie Off To Boston

Keep on eye on the Boston Marathon this coming Monday April 21st, as Team Montrail Canada member Ellie Greenwood takes on the 42.2km course. Go Ellie Go!

8125 Greenwood, Eleanor J. 29 F Vancouver BC CAN GBR

Team Represents at Diez

Through some hard battles and injuries, Team Montrail Canada represented well at Diez Vista.
Gary Robbins ran hard for a 2nd place finish, Aaron Pitt placed 6th and Ryne Melcher ran in hurt at 13. Ellie dominated the field again and cruised into 1st overall.
Individual accounts can be seen below...

Ellie's Ahhhh-bbreviated Diez

Anyways, few comments on DV. ... It was cold at the start - I was in 3 layers including a waterproof jacket as it had just started to rain and looked threatening weather to come. But the steep uphill at the start warms you up quick and soon runners were spreading out. Pretty slick on the roots on the technical downhills - lots of runners came across the finish line with scrapes from falls though I think all of Team Montrail were fine! Course was marked great - plenty of flagging and awesome volunteers cheering on and providing aid. Up the power line the grey skies, sleet falling and bracken reminded me more of Scotland than Vancouver :) I ran with Ryne for a bit, gaining and losing on each other as we stopped at aid stations etc. Gary must have gained on Aaron (winner) in the last half as after the turn arond where you cross paths with runners ahead Aaron was further ahead. I knew from this point that I was a comfortable distance ahead of the 2nd place woman so could relax and enjoy the run more! (esp seen as Suzanne Evans wasn't competing this year!). Trails in pretty good condition - no snow and not too muddy given the dryish week before. I was glad to knock 10mins of my course PB of 3 years ago. Brightened up to enjoy the BBQ and awards after. Sold oput though I think some people got day of race spots for no shows..

Diez Vista 50k, Gary's Abbreviated Race Report

I had viewed the registered entrants in the days leading up to the race and noted such runner's as Darin Bentley, Aaron Pitt, and Americans Michael Sanders and defending champ Brian Morrison. My good buddy Aaron Heidt had told me that he intended to head down and attempt the last minute day of entry, and as I was to learn, he was not the only person with this plan in mind. Everyone who showed up for day of entry got in, and rightfully so as the drive to Port Moody and more specifically Sasamat Lake, is not exactly down the street for most people. As I was rushing around tending to last minute bathroom breaks, taking care of my drop bag, and then stressing over whether or not my shoes were tied to loosely I couldn't help but notice how many additional 'ringers' had decided to come out for the 50. Jason Loutitt was there along with Americans Matt Hart and Hal Koerner! This race had gone from being decently competitive to the most competitive ultra I was to have run on Canadian soil!

I had come into this race with a plan, and I was going to stick to it from start to finish, no matter how tough that might be to do! My plan was simple, I was going to start conservatively over the first climb, open up a bit on the first major downhill, concentrate on keeping a good tempo through the flatter mid section of the course, put in a solid but controlled effort on the last significant climb, and effectively safe myself for the final two huge descents into the finish. I knew that if I could just stay smart, and keep my legs fresh for this last stage of the race that I'd end up with a solid result out there.

After about 40k of running I was surprised, but knew I shouldn't have been, to see fellow Squmiash runner Aaron Heidt leading the way! I glanced at my watch to time myself back to that exact spot. I pretty much hit the turn around aid station together with Darin Bentley and Brian Morrison!! I was pumped...but also wondering where the hell some of the other competitors were? I would later learn that unfortunately Hal Koerner and Matt Hart had dropped due to injury, and Jason Loutitt dropped after taking a wrong turn.

Brian had stopped at the aid station just ahead of me and departed immediately before I tagged it and turned. He then lead it out over the climb back up towards the last big downhill and I timed off Aaron Heidt's lead at just over six minutes (I was later told it was as high as 9 min at one point, of course you can never be sure of exactly how precise this info actually is). I am guessing the distance from here to the finish to be about 8km maybe?? Could I make up six minutes in that time frame? Could I overtake and hold off Morrison? Were my legs gonna allow me to hammer the last section like I had been hoping for!?

As this was the out and back section we were also getting a feel for where the rest of the field was in comparison. I had put in a bit of a push to pass Morrison, managed a bit of a gap, and was now in 2nd place. As Aaron Pitt ran past he had a big smile on his face, as did I, and he simply said to me,
"Go get him dude!"

As I spotted the single track switch backs to my left I got excited, this was it, this was what I had been planning my race around, finishing up strong and letting loose over this portion. I popped back a few Thermolytes and leaned into the trail. As people climbed up the trail it only fueled me more to be getting the congrats from other runner's, as of course I shared right back with them.

At the bottom of this first big descent I glanced back to see that I had gained at least a minute over Morrison. I told myself that this was my race, this was my day, I was gonna make this happen, I was going to pull out this win. Right about that time Aaron's brother Kertis biked past. I had seen Kertis earlier in the race as well and he looked at me and said,
"I think you're gonna catch him! You're looking strong and he's hurting! He's only a couple of minutes ahead!"

Aaron's own brother was challenging me to take him down, it was priceless! To learn that I had taken back half of that six minutes in such a short period of time only helped to quicken my pace. I had saved my final two Thermolytes for the last climb of the entire race. My legs were feeling it and I was just hoping they would hold up for the last 5k or so to the finish. I power hiked up and over the last ascent and knew that all I had left was a big fast downhill strewn with decent sized rocks, which makes it somewhat technical, and about 1k of flat lakeside running...oh yeah, and about thirty stairs! What masochist puts the finish line on the upside of a set of freakin stairs!!

I hammered down the road and was constantly hoping to spot Aaron just up ahead. Towards the bottom there are two wide open sections where you can see a few hundred meters ahead, and I though for sure that I'd at least catch a glimpse of him here...but nothing. Aaron is an amazing runner and I knew he was digging deep to take the win on the day. For a fraction of a second I slowed, telling myself that he had me, there wasn't enough course left, then I internally yelled at myself to wake up and continued to leave it all out there. As I came into the final km of the race I was told that Aaron was 2m10s ahead. I knew he had me, but it didn't matter for this was one of the best races of my life. I had run the smartest race of my 'running career' and that in and of itself felt incredible. I continued as heavy a pace as I could sustain along the waterfront, cursed the race director as I climbed the final stairs, and sprinted across the finish line just 1m03s behind Aaron for second place!! I screamed out in elation as I crossed the line in 4h22m50s! Miwok here I come baby!

For my full race report you can hit up my personal blog here.

Congrats to Ellie who won yet again, and Aaron and Ryne for finishing 6th and 13th respectively. Full results here.

Team Represents at Dirty Duo!

The first weekend of March represent the start of the BC Ultra Series. The Dirty Duo host a wide range of distances. 25km run, 50 km run, 25 km run/ride, and various other combinations.

With Ryne Melcher having the dreadful flu that was going around, Gary Robbins being injured there were 4 of us left. As an ultra distance race, this is a tough race to be ready for. Early in the season, usually rainy and dreary and sloppy. With one week before the race, much of the trails were covered by snow! Unusual for the North Shore. This year has been an EPIC year for snow-hence my (Dom) obscene amount of time spent on skis and maybe not enough time spent on trail runners...

I was using this as a training run-meaning not race ready so have to run slow. I did do a 4 hour run Friday night before the race so no problem there. But Aaron, Ellie and Cheryl seemed very ready to roll.

The 50 km gun went off, and the women were out fast. I knew there would be a great battle between Cheryl, Ellie and team Solomon's Jenn Segger. (Jenn Segger left, Ellie Greenwood right) This course is two loops with some classic west coast gnarl. To paraphrase an ex-team Montrail athlete-Bruce Grant; classic west coast piece of S*#t trail. We love it. Well, when the dust cleared, it was Ellie Greenwood who dropped the hammer in the last 10 km and finished 1st women and Cheryl Beatty ran the whole race smiling and finished 3rd. Ellie was 2nd overall (men and women) and Cheryl Beatty was 6th. Jenn Segger finished between our two Montrail Athletes.

In the 25 km, Aaron Pitt ran a very hard race. Racing against a couple very fast road runners, he finished top 3 to make the podium! He said if he had of had his new Highlanders he would have finished 2nd...

The Team will be taking part in the Run the Shore Series Sponsored by Montrail and host by North Shore Athletics.

Team Montrail Canada Trail Running Team Bios

Aaron Pitt: 34
Birth Place: Victoria, BC
Resides in: North Vancouver
Runs in: Montrail Highlander, Montrail Streak
Favorite Trail: "The Bench" Hornby Island, Baden Powell-North Vancouver
Favorite Terrain: Gnarrrrrrly
Has taken over for Dom as the official team Hippy!

Cheryl Beatty: 34
Birth Place: Windsor, ON
Resides in: Deep Cover (North Vancouver)
Runs in: Montrail Continental Divide
Favorite Trail: Can't pick just one-Howe Sound Crest Trail, Juan de Fuca, Black Tusk...many more
Favorite Terrain: Hills, Hills and more hills!

Dom Repta: 34
Birthplace: Hamilton, ON
Resides in: Vancouver
Runs in: Montrail Highlander, Streak, Continental Divide
Favorite Trail: Diez Vista, Howe Sound Crest Trail, Secret Trail
Favorite Terrain: Roots, Rock...you know the rest

Ellie Greenwood: 28
Birthplace: Across the pond-UK
Resides in: Vancouver
Runs in: Montrail Highlander, Streaks
Favorite Trail: Baden Powell
Favorite Terrain: Anything fast!

Gary Robbins: 31
Birthplace: St. Johns, NFLD
Resides in: Squamish
Runs in: Montrail Hardrock, Streak
Favorite Trail: Alice Lake Network, Lynn Valley Trails, Rubble Creek
Favorite Terrain: STEEP, technical, bad ass descents!

Ryne Melcher: 29
Birthplace: East Lancing, Michigan, USA
Resides in: North Vancouver
Runs in: Montrail Continental Divide, Highlander, Hardrock
Favorite Trail: Still searching through the west coast madness
Favorite Terrain: Anything that does not start with 4000 vertical ascent (rules out most west coast trails)