Final GutBuster of the
2003 Series Wraps up in Victoria
Hallum and Townsend Win the Race and the Series

Last year, GutBuster regular, Randy Jones, of the Prairie Inn Harriers came up to me and said "Bryan, I think it would be great if you could organized a GutBuster in Victoria next year. What will it take to get one down there?" I replied, "A good venue and the support of the Harriers..." A few phone calls later, Randy had it all set up and just like that it was done. As a result of Randy's vision and initiative, the final GutBuster Trail Run of the season concluded in Victoria on Saturday. It was a trail run unlike anything Victoria has seen and many regulars described this one as the toughest GutBuster to date.

Co-hosted by the Victoria-based Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club, the race was staged on the spectacular trails of Mt. Douglas. Over 130 racers signed up to test their limits in either the 5 km or the 12 km course which was sadistically designed by long-time Harrier member, Bob Reid.

"Are you man/woman enough to tackle the toughest GutBuster of all?" Bob asked leading up to the race. "It's a course (12km) that racers will never forget. The meek and mild need not apply!" He further guaranteed that "...racers will finish with rubbery legs. We are taking climbing to a new level." The full 12 km course featured three distinct uphill climbs to the top of Mt. Douglas, each time rewarding racers with breathtaking views of Victoria (not that there was much 'breath' to take...).

Equally as challenging but much shorter in distance, a "One Hump 5K mini-GUTBUSTER" was added to this race for those not prepared to tackle the long course. It offered one good climb to the summit and a spectacular view. It was great for the hikers or those runners looking for something a little lighter.

Click here to see the 12km course map
Click here to see the 5km course map

A GutBuster race always lives up to its name and a testament to that is the number of scrapes and twisted ankles we saw--all accepted casualties of trail running.

In the full 12 km course, Ian Hallam (Prairie Inn Harriers) of Victoria was the first racer across the finish line with an impressive time of 0:52:11. Claire Townsend (Prairie Inn Harriers) of Victoria captured her second GutBuster (Female Open Category) title with a time of 1:03:13. In the Master's category, Myron Knippshield (CeeVacs) of Duncan also had his second GutBuster win of the season with a time of 0:58:15. The top female was Prairie Inn Harriers' Wendy Davies of Victoria with a time of 1:15:07.

Ian Myerscough (Prairie In Harriers) was the first racer to finish the short 5 km course with a time of 22:09. Kristen McLennan of Vancouver was the first female short course winner with at time of 27:20. James Little of Vancouver won the Mens Open category with a time of 23:57 and Rose Ormerod took home the Womens Masters category with time of 32:00.

Click here for final results

All winners took home custom plaques. First place winners won Adidas technical shirts; second won a prize package from Frontrunners; and third took home a supply of Hammer Gel. Featured draw prizes included entries into a future Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race, Xterra Triathlon, boxes of chocolate from 7-Eleven, Zone @91.3 CDs, and a weekend for two at the Howard Johnson Hotel along with a team of 3 entry for the Mind Over Mountain Urban Adventure Race on September 13th.

This was also the final opportunity for racers to earn points for the GutBuster Series Championship. The best two results were taken to determine the champion Open (m/f) and Masters (m/f) category. Series winners won a new pair of Adidas running shoes; second place won a free entry into a future Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race; and third place won a seasons pass to the 2004 GutBuster Trail Running Series. The winners were:

MENS OPEN SERIES WINNERS
1st - Ian Hallam (Prairie Inn Harriers) :: 27 points
2nd - Jason Sandquist (Frontrunners Nanaimo) :: 26 points
3rd - Steven Shelford (Prairie Inn Harriers) :: 19 points

WOMENS OPEN SERIES WINNERS
1st - Claire Townsend (Prairie Inn Harriers) :: 30 points
2nd - Syl Corbett (Prairie Inn Harriers) :: 29 points
3rd - Jen Rankel (Team Trash) :: 24 points

MENS MASTERS SERIES WINNERS
1st - Myron Knippshild (CeeVacs) :: 30 points
2nd (tie) - Gary Duncan (Prairie Inn Harriers) :: 27 points
2nd (tie) - Kevin Searle (from Shawnigan Lake) :: 27 points
3rd - Randy Steel (from Ladysmith) :: 23 points

WOMENS MASTERS SERIES WINNERS
1st (tie) - Patty McMullen (CeeVacs) :: 27 points
1st (tie) - Kelly Rose (from White Rock) :: 27 points
2nd - Wendy-Sue Andrew (from Victoria) :: 24 points
3rd - Jennifer Stewart (ORCA) :: 20 points

Click here to view the entire GutBuster Series final standings

Saturday's race was a perfect end to another amazing GutBuster Series. The venue was ideal and the weather was hot and sunny. It was such a pleasure to have the CeeVacs, Runners of Compassion / Frontrunners, and the Prairie Inn Harriers CO-host the three races with us. Many thanks to all our generous sponsors, land holders, racers, and volunteers for helping make the GutBuster series such a success! We'll be back for a full slate of races next year, so stay on trails and have fun.

KUDOS:

It takes so many phenomenal people and companies to put on a race of this magnitude. A BIG THANK YOU goes out to the following:

* RACERS: Of course, it wouldn't be a race without all of you who came out and Busted A Gut!

* SPONSORS: The Zone @ 91.3, Frontrunners, Adidas, Bad Dog Graphics, Howard Johnson Hotels, Budget Car & Truck Rental, 100.3 the Q!, Vancouver Island Newsgroup, 7-Eleven, Hammer Gel, and Old Victoria Water Company.

* LANDHOLDERS: Mt. Douglas Park, Sannich Municipality. Thanks for letting us run the race on your property!

* SAFETY TEAM: Timonda Emergency Services and the HAMS from Victoria. You guys are an invaluable asset to ensuring swift response to an injured or lost racer!

* KEY VOLUNTEERS:
Randy Jones -- you get a ton of credit for bringing the GutBuster to Victoria.
Bob Reid -- wicked course design and thanks for getting the Harriers behind the event. Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club -- your club is fantastic! Thanks for bringing out so many volunteers and racers.
Michelle Steel -- thanks for coming out and volunteering at all of the GutBusters this year!
Paul Owens -- thanks for making the trip over again and for all your awesome work setting up race central!
Janine Tasaka and Lisa Wolff -- What can I say... you guys are so invaluable in making this race so pro!

* THE ENTIRE VOLUNTEER TEAM: To EVERYONE who lifted a finger to help with this race, on behalf of the racers and management team we THANK YOU for coming out and helping make the GutBuster Victoria a HUGE SUCCESS!!!

Thanks again, spread the good word, and we'll see you next year!

Bryan Tasaka
Race Director