Monday, May 23, 2005.  Hamilton, Ontario. 

When Trevor first told me the new name of this event, I thought, hmm, Ye Olde Pine Ear.  I know he has a wooden head, so that makes sense.  Or did he say Pie In Ear?  Perhaps he was so tired from running that he fell asleep eating his dessert?  Oh, pioneer, you say?  Maybe he was referring to his dad, who is a modern day pioneer, and was running ultras way back in the 1960’s.

In a way, today’s event hearkens back to the early days of the modern reincarnation of the sport in Ontario, when fields of runners never exceeded 10-15 runners until 1986, when the Golden Horseshoe Fifty Miler attracted 35 participants.  I actually finished 9^th in the late Tom Jewiss’s Sagamok 60km in 1990, and dead last!

Even farther back in history, before modern times, an ultra was really more something that took place over more than several days, unlike nowadays when events that cannot be completed by at least some of the competitors in less than 24 hours are extremely rare, as are those who have actually completed one.

Anyway, in the event that finished today, I managed to run 28 miles farther than last year, but still finished sixth, and the first five positions were all taken up by people with surname Harthun.

Interestingly, in past years we were plagued by cold and rain and underwater trails, and everyone agreed just how much more they could do if the weather co-operated.  This was true in every case except two, with the greatest improvement in Cherie Harthun (née Cromie) who put on almost fifty miles more.  The two exceptions were Gord and Trevor.  Perhaps next year will see the dethronement of these two perennial winners.

Despite the list of participants hardly changing from year to year, the event is not closed, and up to twelve competitors are permitted by the Valens Conservation Area where the event is held.  The carefully measured 4.675 km/2.90 mile loop course is mostly shaded and rolling grassy hills, with a long boardwalk section.  The park is halfway between Hamilton and Cambridge.

Come out next year and savor the old-time flavour of ultras when a few people would get together over a weekend and put in some miles and then enjoy the evening campfire.  No t-shirts, no trophies, but you couldn’t enter a 10 km event for the price today.  And you could join that very, very exclusive club of those who have actually finished a multiday event!

Ed Alexander

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