July 27, 2024
Earl Rowe Provincial Park
In April 2024, I had just completed the Hyner Trail Challenge, which was a tough and gruelling 50km in the mountains of Pennsylvania. I wanted another ultra run for the year, but something more runnable and flat and fast. My friend Stephen mentioned the Rainbow Trail Run which he had run the previous year. I took a look at the website, and it looked like the perfect ultra run for mid season. The Rainbow Run website: https://gottarunracing.com/events/rainbow-trail-run/ described the course as a grassy, wide trail, flat with bridge crossings and around the lake. This trail run was a 12km looped run, and offered any distance from 1 lap (12km) to 8 laps (96km). Originally, I had signed up for the 8 lap (96km), but closer to the race day there weren’t enough runners, and it was dropped to 5 laps (60km).
July 27, 2024 was a beautiful, cool morning with the temperatures at about 15 degrees Celsius at 7:30am just a half hour before the start. The sun was brightly shining, and the vibe was awesome with music and crowds of spectators and runners all about.
At 7:50am the 4 and 5 loopers (48km / 60km) line up near the start line, the energy is intense but exciting. 8:00am, the gun goes off, and the one of the race directors Norm on his bicycle takes the lead to guide all the runners through the first lap.
The front runners went right out fast and quick, the trail was so clear and well groomed, it was easy running and I wanted to just go with the pack. I looked down at my watch and saw the pace was 5:15km, and took a breath and reminded myself it was a long day, and I still had 58 km more to go! I knew the day would get hot, with temperatures going into the 30’s, and wanted to just stay hydrated and run as fast and strong as I could without blowing up.
The bridge crossings were fun, we ran beside views of the lake, and beautiful pine trees, and a relatively decent amount of shade. Before I knew it, we hit the first aid station which was at the 7km mark. I didn’t need anything at that point, but the cheering, music and vibe from that aid station made me smile. Coming up on to the 8km mark there was a road crossing with my friend Stephen and a loud cow bell, and after the 8km it was only 4km to go to the finish of lap 1. At about 10km in I took a corner and looked up at the one and only hill on the course. It was a long one that was winding and kind of steep! Looking back on my strava at the end of the race, I realized it was only 300m, but in my head could have sworn it was more like a km. Once at the top of the hill, it was relatively easy running, “all downhill from there” as the race director Jodi told me, and she was right. It was easy running straight through to the finish for lap 1.
Lap 2 was relatively uneventful, just enjoying the trail and getting into the groove of it. The 1-2-3 loopers started their races at 9:00am, so we saw some of them running on the second lap, and it was nice to have friendly, and fresh runners cheer us on while on the trail. Another great thing about the run were the campers, hikers and beach goers at Earl Rowe Provincial Park. They all took a couple minutes to cheer us on and give high fives. Some were cooking breakfast, and the smell of bacon was wafting through the trails.
Lap 3 I started to get hot, thankfully all the aid stations came fully equipped with lots of ice, and cold sponges which were a life saver. There were also many taps around the trail that I was able to stop by to dunk my hat and wash off my legs and keep going. Coming through to the start/finish area after the 3rd lap I was feeling the heat, and the fatigue. I downed a bit of pickle juice, (don’t knock it till you try it!) threw some ice cubes in my hat and set off, and made it back for lap 4. Lap 4 is one I can barely remember, it was hot, and I was struggling a bit, but when I could get in a groove I kept moving. I do remember coming in to the aid station at 7km, and the lovely volunteers were so attentive. They helped fill my water bottles, gave me a little pep talk and handed me ice for my hat. They had been there for hours and hours, and they were still so motivating and positive, that really turned things around for me. I also distinctively remember the photographer at the top of the hill. He had the biggest smile on his face, and despite me hiking the hill, I attempted to break into a slow waddle up hill just for the photo op.
I came through finishing lap 4, hot and tired. I heard a few runners may have dropped at that point. I was kind of in a daze and just tried to quickly reset and grab what I needed. I knew I had to just start the last loop before I got into my head too much. The race director Jodi came by and asked how I was feeling, and all the volunteers at this aid station were incredible. I downed a huge cup of coke at this point, and a volunteer offered me a freezie. This brought me back to life!
Last lap! Lap 5, this lap I was just moving as best as I could, focusing on getting to the 7km aid station! In my head I was saying goodbye to all the sights and views that was the last time I’d be coming around to see. I felt strong, and focused, knowing the finish line was closer to me with each step I took. The aid station at 7km, I thanked all the volunteers and they wished me luck for the last few kms, and I set off. Got to the top of the hill, and it was just downhill to the finish, and I just kept one foot in front of the other, moving, until I took the last corner and could see the finish line ahead of me. There were still spectators around that had stayed to cheer on all the runners, and I could hear claps and cheers as I finally crossed the finish line 60km – 5 laps in 6hrs50.
I was the first female finisher, and fourth finisher overall!
Post race was fantastic, I was handed a can of coke, and I just enjoyed every moment of this entire experience as I sipped on my coke and dunked my head under some cold wet sponges. It was glorious!
This race was a fantastic experience, I loved the energy and the love for the sport of the race directors and all the volunteers involved. They were all so positive and motivating, they helped pick me up when I was in a funk. The spectators and even the campers, hikers and beach goers at the park also had a part in making this such a fun experience. The trail was beautiful, it was flat, and it was fast, I was so happy to have done a nice fast 60km with such a cool vibe.
I didn’t even mention the post run perks! They had a bbq, chips, coke and recovery drinks, and even had air relax compression pants! I got the full treatment, laying back with compression pants on getting a full leg massage.
Such a fantastic day, thank you again to all the organizers, race directors, and volunteers, Rainbow Run, I will be back next year!
