5Peaks Race Reviews

Here are a few of the 5Peaks Race Reviews that I received after the trail run at the Ark on October 17, 2009.

This was my first trail race. I have been wanting to do a 5 Peaks event since my son ran at the Ark last year but have been stymied by a serious bike accident and a variety of time conflicts.

This location is the true meaning of trail race. Away from the city and built up areas. True countryside running. The personal touch of Mike Caldwell, his wife and the amazing volunteers.

I understand this year the event was almost cancelled. That would have been a real shame as is evidenced by the final numbers. Why such a last minute sign-up? For me personally it was due to the late in the season race date and not knowing what to expect as a first timer. I didn't want to pay and then find out the weather would be miserable. So I waited until the last opportunity to sign up on the Internet. I am telling you this in case it helps with future planning. But please don't do one of those "increase the rates as the dates get closer" things. That is actually a reverse incentive for me.

As a first timer, this race was ideal. A strong field of athletes but a fantastic group, all supportive and upbeat. I found the lack of official timing mats to be refreshing. It felt like I was just going for a really good run in the woods. And why would I need an accurate time? What am I going to compare it to? Trail runs are each unique and the weather affects the conditions and your race so much an accurate time isn't that important for a race such as this. Chips? There were plenty of those for after the race.

I love the hat.

Home made brownies, beautiful trails, great company, rustic setting. I loved it and will be back. Just don't put it too close to the Army Run.

While the race had low registration days prior to the race - on race day we had a whole whack of people (I hear around 100, which is great as trail races have a smaller capacity than road events ). The turn out was great considering that October is full of road races around the Ottawa area - something every weekend (in Ottawa the 5 Peaks - Ark race competed with the MADD 5 & 10K on the same day; and the weekend before the Fall Colours sucked up over 1,000 runners and still the Ark drew 100 racers - good show).

Regards,

Kevin Penny

I just wanted to say how much I loved the race this weekend at the Ark.

I understand there was some thought to cancelling this venue and I really hope it will not happen. It is a great location and the best trail run I've ever participated in. The organization of the race was professional and personal.

I've done all the 5 Peaks races in the Eastern Ontario/West Quebec region and this one is BY FAR the best.

I will again register for all the events next year, but I really hope the Ark will continue to be a part of the package. I don't know why people waited to register (I registered within the first couple of days). It is perhaps because of the timing of the event. At that time of the year the weather is variable. Moving it up a few weeks would make it more likely to have people register in advance.

I will certainly be back again if only for the brownies. Those were the best brownies I have ever eaten in my life.

-- Grant

Just got word that you originally wanted to pull the plug of the 5 Peaks race that was held at The Ark in Denholm, Qc last Saturday. Well I competed in that event (enduro) even though I was undertrained and over raced – yet I still had a blast. It would be a shame to lose such an event. Mike always makes us feel like guest instead of paying customers and he always shows mucho love. Dude was even out on the course before dawn with a leaf blower to clear fallen leafs from the trail. That should count for a few Brownie points, right?

I'm not sure why the Ottawa crowd does not pre-register for these events. That's just how they roll. As for myself – I had a pretty gruelling 8 hour race 6 days before and had no idea if my legs would be up for it – even the night before.

So yeah, please keep that event on the calendar for next year.

Cheers,

Alex Michel

The Ark: What a great venue. I loved every minute of it, even walking/climbing exhausted up the hills. I finished 10 out of 10 for my age category. I was 40 out of 55 racers. I was exhausted. I stubbed my toes and turned my ankles. I wore glasses instead of contacts and couldn't see where to put my feet through the foggy lenses.

And I LOVED every minute of it!

Lessons learned:
1) If you are running in a clockwise route, your left leg will get sore from always being downhill. Running backwards for the entire second loop will not correct the problem, but it will affect your time.
2) Mike Caldwell did a good enough job cleaning the trails. I shouldn't have stopped to pick off the few leaves that were left behind as it affected my time.
3) Just when you think you are too exhausted to continue, find someone to talk to. I realized if I had enough breath to carry on a conversation, I could probably keep running.
4) If you see a tray of brownies, take one. Next time you look there won't be any left.
5) Luskville Falls is a great place to walk the day after to stretch and loosen your muscles. If you haven't been there, get there while the weather and leaves are still good.
6)It is a real rush to be feeling so exhausted going up hill and realize that the person cheering YOU on is an Olypmic athlete. Thank you Lise.

I have every intention of running at this location again next year. Should I sign up early or wait until race day? Hmmm ... I wonder if Mike guaranteed a brownie to early registrants if that would make a difference?

Thank you Mike. And thank your neighbour for letting over a hundred people run across his driveway, twice for some.

Chris Hayes

Even though it's close to Ottawa, it feels like you are truly in another world. Mike and the folks there are always welcoming. Great goodies with the RKPU and amazing post-race food.

Well marked trails and a challenging course, what more could you ask for? Even the weather cooperated! It made me forget the nightmares I had about snowshoe racing.

My friend Jane and I even took Mike's offer of on-site camping the night before. Fresh cool (sub-zero) air and seeing all the stars in the sky while you're sitting around the campfire really makes you forget about your daily problems. And a few visits from a cute fox always helps too.

My beast of a SUV even got stuck since the ground thawed in the morning and created a swamp but the friendly neighbour brought over 2 tractors (on top of his truck) to get me out!

I hope it's a yearly event since it was my first trail race. I don't want it to be my last. It's just what this city slicker needed!

Thanks again,Eric

Dave McMahon

All this was in spite of the common Ottawa-area problem of lastminute entries and the fact that there were two Cross-Country races and a road race on this same weekend in the area.

This is a great series, let's keep it going!

Cheers,

Patrick Mackenzie

Grant Boland