To start my "running season" early and lightly, I signed up for an 8K run in Stanley Park. The run is sponsored by Harry Rosen in support of prostate cancer research.
Getting to the run was easy - only a short walk from my place to the starting line. Compared to the previous runs, there were a lot fewer participants, likely due to the early spring weather and that this race was only in its second year. I am sure more people will participate as word spreads.
The start of the race took us from Lumberman's Arch up a slight incline and past the Aquarium and over to Lost Lagoon. I started somewhat back in the group as there seemed to be a lot of very fit people at the start and I did not want to get in the way. Once we got to Lost Lagoon we made a sharp U-turn and the ran about halfway around until we headed out to Second Beach. Two things of interest about this section of the race:
1) A nice soft dirt path instead of asphalt. It was almost like running a trail race.
2) Some folks had got caught on the path, complete with doggies and strollers, and were stuck there until the majority of runners passed by. I think they need some better course marshalling or at least better signage.
Once out to Second Beach, we headed onto the seawall. This was the first time I had run on the seawall clockwise, so for the first bit it felt as if I was running backward, sorta. I was able to find and follow a group of three people who seemed to be running together so that helped with the pacing. We did have to skirt around a few folks with strollers and bicycles, but for the most part the path was clear. The most notable thing about this part of the race is that once you have run the seawall a few times, it gets, well, kinda boring, so the distance seemed further than it was because there wasn't a whole lot of distraction going on.
The finish line on the seawall at the Lumberman's Arch area but to my surprise this was NOT the start line location. When I had been planning my finish during the run, I figured I needed to keep a bit of puff in reserve because I had assumed that there would be a bit of uphill running right at the end of the race and it would be ashame to have to walk or crawl (!) past it after a good run. But no, the finish line was dead flat so I put in a bit of extra speed right at the end for a finish of 44:39.
There were lots of snacks to be had after the race but since I ran for race heat and not for "milling around" heat, I headed back home soon after so I wouldn't freeze.
Not a bad experience for my first race of the year and I would consider doing another in 2009.
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