By Martha Aitkin, Bruce Peninsula Press
The 8th Anniversary of the Tobermory Trail Race (Run the Edge) took place on September 14th and 15th, 2024. By all reports, and as seen in the smiling faces of the participants, these special people who love to run in wild places such as the Bruce Trail and Flowerpot Island had a grand time! Coming from all over Ontario, plus a few from British Columbia this year, 390 runners registered for this event. Run the Edge inspires people from all over the world with dynamic and innovative fitness challenges.
The Trail races on Saturday included a marathon (from Tobermory to Cyprus Lake Campground and back to the village), a half marathon (from the Cyprus Lake campground to Tobermory) and a 7k run (from Little Cove to Tobermory). Bus transportation to the start lines at Cyprus Lake and Little Cove was provided.
Sunday featured a 5k run on the trails on Flowerpot Island with Blue Heron Cruises providing transportation to and from the island.
Those of us with Bruce Trail hiking experience know these trails to be truly excellent with some difficult sections and breath-taking views for hikers. Runners needed to be aware that it would be extremely strenuous at times and would require some scrambling up steep inclines, running on dew-wet rocks along cliff edges and cobble beaches and slowing to a fast walk in some places. The safety briefings at each of the race starts included reminders about the risks of trail running, including slippery rocks and twisted tree roots.
For full marathon runners Leanne Haynes and Tyler Colling of Meaford, trail running represents an exciting opportunity to be immersed in natural beauty on terrain that requires concentration on each step, and this race in particular, allows them to engage in a sport they enjoy in an area that they love.
Ryan Niclasen of Allanburg took first place overall amongst the male racers in the full marathon on Saturday. He also took first place in the Masters Age 45+ category. Leanne Haynes of Meaford came in first among the women full marathon runners and Marg Gloade, also of Meaford, took first place in the Masters category.
The half marathon winners were Josiah Peterson of Clifford and Eliza-Jane Kitchen of Victoria, BC.
The 7k winners were Alistair Wark and Shannon Allwood, both of Collingwood.
Overall winners of the Flowerpot Island 5k race were Jack Van Dorp of Lion’s Head and Charlotte Wilkin of Port Elgin. Winners in the Master category on Flowerpot Island are Brad Shouldice of Gould Lake and Brenda Diiorio of Tobermory.
Photo: Full Marathon male winners – Ryan Niclasen of Allanburg, 2nd place Herve Mallet of Selwyn, 3rd place Kevin Bryan of Annan.
Photo: Half Marathon Female winners – 1st place Eliza-Jane Kitchen of Victoria, 2nd place Adrienne Kaskie of Newmarket, 3rd place Caroline McGrath of Toronto.
Photo: Half Marathon Male winners – 1st place Josiah Petersen of Clifford, 2nd place Nicholas Watson of Oakville, 3rd place Aaron Gross of Meaford.
Photo: Male 7k winners – 1st place Alistair Wark of Collingwood, 2nd place Kilty Elliott of Miller Lake, 3rd place Jody Fallu of Port Elgin (not shown).
Congratulations and gratitude to each and every runner who participated. You “Ran the Edge!” Gratitude as well to all the volunteers, the many sponsors, and to Bob Miller for co-ordination of this spectacularly successful fundraising event! You put the “FUN” in fundraising!
Visit https://www.tobermorytrail.com for more information.
