Kevin Titus, one of the most accomplished trail runners in B.C., had one piece of advice heading out on the annual 10 km (approximate) Lumpy’s Epic trail run in Pemberton: "Don’t even try to run around the puddles, just go through them. It will be easier, because you’re going to get wet anyway."
Despite the rain and cold about 40 runners took part in the Lumpy’s Epic run, which is hosted by the Helmer family as a fundraiser for youth sport programs in the community.
Parts of the trail had turned into small creeks, and the flat section that follows the Green River was every bit as wet as Titus said.
Still, that didn’t stop Titus from finishing with a time of 41 minutes and 15 seconds, which is likely a record for the course.
"It was great, I love running in the woods in the rain," he said. "I knew I had people coming up right behind me so I was definitely running as hard as I could. It was good to have someone there to push me."
Titus went flat out in the technical, slippery section, even where the trail had turned into a creek. "One of the joys of running in the fall," he said.
He was followed up the climb by Pemberton’s John Teitzel and Whistler’s Dave Burch, but Burch pulled into second place and held on until making a wrong turn near the end where the course doubles back on the trail to One Mile Lake park. This was the second year that Burch has taken a wrong turn in the race.
Teitzel finished second in 45:44, while Sean Wolfe was third in 46:32.
Lindsay Dyck was the top woman in the race for the second year in a row, finishing the course in 47:45.
"It’s definitely one of the most technical runs around here – it’s shorter but it’s technical, about as tough as I think I want to go to save my ankles," she said.
With grey skies the past two years Dyck was disappointed that she hasn’t had a chance to see the view of the valley yet from the lookout point of the trail. "Maybe next year," she said.
Dyck was followed by Brenda Baker in 53:10 and Jeannie Helmer in 53:38.
The Lumpy’s Epic is the last race of the season for many runners, while others are planning to race in the Haney to Harrison relay on Nov. 5.
Next year Lumpy’s Epic will be part of the Sea to Sky Trail Running Series, along with the Comfortably Numb Trail Run, STORMY, Loop the Lakes and the Rubble Creek Classic.
Lumpy’s Epic Top-10
1. Kevin Titus – 41:15
2. John Teitzel – 45:44
3. Sean Wolfe – 46:32
4. Dave Burch – 47:34
5. Lindsay Dyck – 47:45
6. Guy Patterson – 50:48
7. Ty – 52:02
8. Brenda Baker – 53:10
9. Rich Rawlings – 53:26
10. Jeannie Helmer – 53:38
