Contributed to the Chief
During an ultramarathon, a lot can go wrong and usually does. But when you're as prepared as Lisa Polizzi, Murphy's Law doesn't have much opportunity.
At this year's 64-kilometre STORMY trail run, Polizzi, from Brisbane, Australia, not only won the women's title, but humbled all of the male competitors with a decisive five hour and nine minute overall victory.
"This is my first race ever over 42 km in length," laughed Polizzi, seeming as surprised as the spectators.
Polizzi cannot, however, be considered a novice competitor. She holds a commanding lead in the open women's division in the Sea 2 Sky trail running series.
Second place went to Rob Fontaine of Campbell River, leader in this year's BC Ultra Trail Running Series open men's division. Fontaine said he watched in awe as Polizzi ran up the grueling Nine Mile Hill portion of the race to finish 24 minutes ahead of him.
"When I saw her run that," he said, "I thought 'She can have it'."
Polizzi's performance wasn't the only remarkable women's finish of the day. Suzanne Evans of New Westminster, this year's Kneeknacker champion, finished third among all solo runners, while Ragan Petrie, a former US National 100 km Team member from Atlanta, Georgia placed seventh overall.
The fifth annual STORMY followed most of the Test of Metal mountain bike course through the highlands above Squamish between Alice Lake to the north and Valleycliffe to the south. The route consisted mainly of trails and gravel roads with substantial sections of rugged single track. Elevation gain along the course is approximately 1,200 metres (4,000 feet), which in addition to challenging technical footing makes this type of run much more difficult - and many said "more interesting" - than a road race event.
Andrew Clarke of Squamish recorded the fastest "Double" as an athlete who completed both the Test of Metal ride and STORMY run this year.
Conditions on the day were warm but not as stifling as last year's 30-degree-plus roaster. The usually well-shaded course was mud free, but dusty on occasion.
Obstacles reported included bees, knee-scarring rocks, and well-manned aid stations that tempted runners to eat just a little too much food, according to organizers Wendy Montgomery and Rich Rawlings. But perhaps the most reviled obstacle was not Nine Mile Hill, but a mere 300 vertical foot climb through the Smoke Bluffs climbing area just a few kilometres from the Brennan Park finish line. But the challenge didn't detract from the competitors' enthusiasm for the event.
"I'll be back again and again," said David Crerar, "despite the new evil final five kilometres."
A relay category was introduced to STORMY for the first time this year. Teams of three split the course into legs of 28 km, 22 km, and 14 km. Team KneeKackered, a co-ed team from North Vancouver took the top spot in 5:19:49. Team B.O.B of Vancouver was second, while Whistler's A Physio with Patience took third overall.
The not-for-profit event was staffed by close to 40 dedicated volunteers and supported by both local and national sponsors. The net financial proceeds are donated to the Squamish Trail Society, Squamish Search and Rescue, and SORCA.
