The GutBuster is proud to support the:

www.runnersofcompassion
nanaimo.com

Runners of Compassion is a registered non-profit charitable organization whose members participate as a group to raise awareness of and provide funding for social and charitable causes.

Runners of all levels and ability are invited to join the Nanaimo Chapter of Runners of Compassion.

Founded in Victoria in 1998, Runners of Compassion has since proivided funding for many causes in that region and abroad.

Our Objectives are:

  • to promote awareness of local and global social issues;
  • to provide support to local and global charities through our financial and human resource capacity;
  • to act as a resource base for fledgling or unsung charitable agencies;
  • to support other charities through running-based activities

OUR PHILOSOPHY
We have made a commitment to improve our level of fitness and overall well-being through running. Furthermore, we are choosing to build on this commitment by helping to improve the lives of others. It is our intention to use running as a means to provide charitable support

 
 
 
 

POST RACE REPORT
June 5th, 2004

GUTBUSTER_002 :: NANAIMO

FINAL RESULTS (pdf)

PHOTOS FROM THE GUTBUSTER by TONY AUSTIN

MY GUTBUSTER NANAIMO
-- by Andrew Dunphy from

Gutbuster Nanaimo goes off with a record crowd in another beautiful location. Westwood Lake in Nanaimo brought all the trail runners together again for the second race in the Adidas GutBuster Trail Running Series.

Trail Running takes us off the road and away from big city running -- it does it for many reasons. In this particular race, I could see and hear the pleasure of those I ran with during the entire race. I could feel the reason why they chose to race the Gutbuster and it rubbed off on me.

The race started down at Westwood Lake but eventuality brought us around the lake with a slow ascent up the mountain side. With each contour line behind us, my group felt increasingly empowered. Most of us found new friends we could run with that day. And each separate clump helped each other out. As we moved onward, one could look around and see why the other was here.

So my clump kept moving eventually reaching a peak elevation of 378 metres. From there, the trail shot down the other side. It was fast and rocky with some interesting switchbacks and to say the least. Now here is where I could hear the pleasure. We all let out yells and noises as we let our bodies free fall down the trail. It is a sensation that cannot be found running the 10k road race. It is a sensation that comes with the earth.

After reaching the bottom, it was single track and some rolling hills to the finish. Once at the finish, you could look and greet your opponent and your new trail running friend. They are the reasons why you came to Gutbuster here in Nanaimo...

 

 
 

Big thanks to the Runners of Compassion for helping co-host the race!



RoC- Nanaimo website

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: To the record crowd of 200+ racers including those from Nova Scotia, England, Holland, and California!

* SPONSORS: Adidas, Frontrunners, Flash-5, 100.3 the Q!, The Zone @ 91.3, Howard Johnson Hotels, Budget Car & Truck Rental, Vancouver Island Newsgroup, 7-Eleven, Hammer Gel, and Old Victoria Water Company.

* FRONTRUNNERS FOOTWEAR: Thanks you for all your help promoting the race! I'm sure a large reason for the incredible numbers is because of you!

* PRIZE SPONSORS: Thanks to everyone who donated draw prizes which included entries to the Mach Run, SCAR, Royal Road Fitness Centre, Canadian Survivor, and the 5 Peaks. Also to Yvonne Vissor Massage Therepy for donating the free sessions.

* LANDHOLDERS: Nanaimo Parks and Recreation. Morrell Nature Sanctuary, and BC Hydro. Thanks for letting us run the race on your property!

* SAFETY TEAM: Timonda Emergency Services and the Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association. You guys are an invaluable asset to ensuring swift response to an injured or lost racer!

* KEY VOLUNTEERS:
Runners of Compassion -- Thanks to all of the RoC members for coming out!
Dan Brady, Robin Dutton, and Normon Thibault -- Thanks for designing an amazing course!
Aimee Dunn, Lisa Wolff, and Diana Marchand -- Outstanding job in all aspects of the event organization! What a team!

* 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 Nanaimo a HUGE SUCCESS!!!