Run To the Clouds 2008 Results

12 April 2008 - Starter Photo
32 Starters - 32 Finishers

Photos are posted on the CFA Flickr page. If you like to add yours please add them to your Flickr account, then to the Club Fat Ass Flickr group. Make sure you tag all photos of today with ClubFatAss, RunToTheClouds2008 and RunToTheClouds. If you are not interested in Flickr, please send your photos to Sibylle or Pete and we'll post them.

Run to the Clouds event review

WHAT A GREAT DAY. Blue sky and warm temperatures blessed us at the end of yet another week or two of rain. 31 runners showed up to tackle the tough course and pretty much every single one of them had a big smile on their face at the end too. It was hard not to enjoy a run in the woods when the day was just so great. Thanks to all the runners who came out to play in the woods yesterday. Great to see you there and frankly as an event host, seeing you all having a great time makes it all worth while. With 18 runners completing the full 25 kms and another 13 doing one of the shorter options you all deserve great pats on the back, as this course is not an easy one. Well done!

Brief history here: As I look outside my window the morning after the event and at the rain falling once again, I smile and realize someone up there seems to want me to continue to put this event on. A loooong time back I talked to the good folks at CFA and suggested it would be cool to do a run out in the Tri-Cities area around Eagle Ridge and Buntzen Lake area. Of course they instantly tossed it back in my court but helped me organize my first event. Run to the Clouds was born in 2006. They also asked me for a minimum 3 year commitment on running the event. Since that time we have had 3 course changes (I’d like to think it is getting better) and hopefully I have got a bit smarter on how to do this all… but the fun is still there. Runners are still coming out to support it and it makes my day to see both local and runners from other parts of Vancouver coming out to see and enjoy some of the beautiful trails that we have out here.

I guess we will have to see about a CFA Run to the Clouds…

2007

Photos are posted on the CFA Flickr page. If you like to add yours please add them to your Flickr account, then to the Club Fat Ass Flickr group. Make sure you tag all photos of today with ClubFatAss, RunToTheClouds2007 and RunToTheClouds. If you are not interested in Flickr, please send your photos to Sibylle or Pete and we'll post them.

Post Event Survey - please click here to participate.

Run to the Clouds event review
Well sports-fans, the 2nd annual Run to the Clouds event is now behind us. 28 keen CFA runners started the event yesterday and 14 of them finished the full 25 km challenging course. Some even did more! Whether you did the full course or one of the shorter options, give yourself a big pat on the back, you all did awesome!!!
Sending out thanks:

I’d like to once again thank the following people that made this event possible and better:

• Carie Moran (CFA member) for giving up her run to come out and help with event sign-in and aid station #1 and #2 up at the North Beach.
• Chris Leupold and Greg Skerratt for helping with aid station #3 at the top of Eagle Ridge (Note: these guys moto’d in all the treats and liquid you enjoyed up there).
• Nick Balenzano and Johnny Saunders, our fully trained first aid team that were cruising around on event course on their mountain bikes ready to help out should the need arise.
• Angela Spooner for arranging some fantastic draw prizes including a 60 minute massage from Lea Hartley (thanks to Lee too of course!) and a 30 minute massage session at Hyde Creek Clinic (again thanks to the massage therapists who donated the sessions too). These were both given away at the after-party.
• Marlene Coleman for helping with aid station #1 and #2. and for arranging a fantastic hydrotherapy massage session draw prize (thanks also to Dr Wilbour Kelsick for this fantastic donation).
• North Shore Athletics for donating some cool shirts and waterbottle prize draws.
• Trail Runner Magazine for donating 2 subscriptions that were given out as prize draws.
• Sibylle from CFA for walking me through all the on-line headaches of posting and hosting an event.
• My wife Diane for pedaling her bike down to the after-party late that afternoon to get me and all the gear in my truck home safe…

Highlights and other fun stuff:

As you can imagine, a lot goes on during an event and there is certain things that come to mind afterwards that are always good to share with others. Here is just some of the good, the bad and the ugly:

• How about the first big highlight was that it did NOT RAIN!! Even after the weather man promised 60% chance of showers right up till that morning. Event day was perfect running temperature with high overcast and the occasional blue sky and sunny break.
• No negative points will be awarded to Don Murray and Gord Bell (competing in his first trail run) for running right past an important trail head (clearly marked in the instructions that they were both carrying in their hands at the time) and running almost all the way down to Indian Arm on the access road before figuring out they had gone wrong… Way to go guys! Way to add additional vertical elevation gain to an already hard course!
• Don’t worry Matt, no negative points will be awarded to you for crossing the finish line in a smoking fast 2:08 but then complaining that aid station #3 was not set up when he was there (it was, but he had accidentally eliminated about 3 km from the course, so didn’t complete the full 25 km). Oops… next year OK Matt
• HOWEVER, speaking of Matt, extra props has to be sent out to him for running 22 of the 25 km faster than anyone AFTER running a whopping 80 km run the day before! Yes, Matt was out for a big training run the Saturday before this event and still managed to look fresh and fast on event day! Holy smokes…
• Props goes out to Stephen Lamothe and Karine Lavoie that did a lap of the Buntzen (the short course) with their son Takoda who is not even 4 years old yet. Takoda ran quite a bit of this too! Future competitor to Matt Sessions maybe???
• Extra point awarded to Elizabeth McQuaid, Kelly Vermette, Jessica Watson and Sibylle Tinsel for helping out some poor lost soul and setting them straight again.
• Props out to Pat Matthieu for her first CFA event! Welcome to the gang Pat.
• Props out to Gord Lord who completed his first ever trail run, and did the whole thing. Actually he did more as he was one of the guys that ran right past the trail head and added on extra km’s. Don’t worry Gord, we don’t penalize folks that want to run LONGER than the set event course that day.
• This in from our First Aid team positioned at the 16 km mark on route, way up high on Eagle Ridge. Nick says "three CFA gals arrived and they had pre-planned to turn around at the spot we were at. one asked if we had a cell phone she could borrow, so I let her use mine. She was huffing and puffing, so it sounded really authentic when SHE CALLED IN SICK TO WORK FOR THAT NIGHT. I guess she had no intention of going in after that workout...she was off to the after-party instead. Can't say that I blame her.
• Also from our First Aid Team. I handed out a couple of band aids for chaffed nipples...if it was a woman, I would have been a good first aider and done a thorough inspection...but I had to let it slide since it wasn't.
• Bummer of the day goes to defending course champion Elke Bauer who was looking like she would be the fastest women there once again, till her brain went on autopilot and she turned onto Eagle Trail to run up to last year’s aid station, taking her off course by more than 1 km and allowing Amy MacArthur to slip on by and beat her to the finish line.
• Apparently Buntzen IS above 32 degrees or 0 degrees C as some keen runners didn’t have to break through ice to go for a swim after the run. Now there is a hearty bunch!!! On exiting the water Peter VG stated “it was sooo cold, his privates were “like a button on a fur coat”. Now that is cold !!
• Oh yeah, I had more than a few runners want to know what the chips were that were so tasty… They were “Kettle Brand, Krinkle cut Salt and Fresh ground pepper” chippies. Gourmet, no trans fats, no MSG, and available at Costco. They come in a brown bag.
• The after-party at the Golden Spike Pub was well attended and the Giants game was on. It seemed every time they scored there was $1 beers for us all! The beer was enjoyed (strictly for re-hydration purposes) and there was some fantastic draw prizes awarded to runners present.

 

Summary:

So, as event host, this is always fun to put on this event. It is my small way of “putting back” to the running community. I believe we will stick with the same route next year as most runners liked the route. (OK, maybe I’ll try to be a bit clearer on some of the directions). Talking to Sibylle, we may move it a little earlier or back into April again for 2008 so we don’t run into conflicts with some other runs later on like what happened this year. So, one final request… if you liked the event please tell your running friends and help me spread the word to get more runners out for 2008. If each of you brought 1 or 2 running friends it could be that much MORE fun.!! If you didn’t like something about the event or would like something changed or improved I would simply ask you to fire me back some feedback. I’ll put all your suggestions and notes into the file and will make next years event all that much better. Click here to send Pete feedback. You will also receive a post event survey and I would appreciate your time to fill this out.

Thanks again for coming out, see you all next year!!

Pete SS

Runners Name	Distance Completed	Official Finish Time	CFA Points Awarded	Additional Notes
Rob Ruff	25 km	2:48	2	First male, full course finisher in
Peter Van Gallen	25 km	3:17	2
Mark McCrae	25 km	3:17	2
Mark Yee Fung	25 km	3:17	1	Late entry
Amy MacArthur	25 km	3:18	1	First female, full course finisher in
Elke Bauer	27.5 km	3:20	2	Note: No penatly points for going too far…
Stephen Lowe	25 km	3:30	2
Kim Taylor	25km	?	2
Angela Spooner	25 km	3:35	2
Rhonda Gallant	25 km	3:35	2
Heather Summerville	25 km	3:35	2
Sonja Madsen	25 km	3:35	2
Don Murray	26.5 km	3:34	2	Note: No penatly points for going too far…
Gord Lord	26.5 km	3:34	2	Note: No penatly points for going too far…
Baldwin Lee	27 km	3:44	2
Matt Sessions	22.5 km	2:08	2	First one in, but missed a section on course
Peggy Brown	21 km	3:32	2
Sara Weinkam	21 km	3:32	2
Kandice Leaf	21 km	3:32	2
Pat Matthieu	17.5 km	2:26	2
Elizabeth McQuaid	13.6 km	2:22	3	Additional point for helping someone lost
Sibylle Tinsel	13.6 km	2:22	3	Additional point for helping someone lost
Kelly Vermette	13.6 km	2:22	3	Additional point for helping someone lost
Chris Tomkinson	12.5 km	1:11	2
Dan Doust	9.5 km	1:10	2
Stephen Lamothe	9.5 km	2:04	2	Mixed run and carry
Karine Lavoie	9.5 km	2:04	2	Mixed run and carry
Takoda (4 years old)	9.5 km	2:04	1	Mixed run and being carried
Carie Moran	n/a	n/a	1	Helped with sign-in and aid stations etc
Carolyn Goluza	n/a	n/a	-1	Registered but did not show up
Joseph Chung	n/a	n/a	-1	Registered but did not show up

2006

 

Run day dawned bright and sunny, much needed. Runners seemed to find the rec centre OK and after the usual quick chat rolled out at 10:02 am. Almost immediately a strong front group of 3 opened a gap when they made a light and the rest didn’t. Floating around on course I re-met the runners at the top of the first climb. Within 3 km they had already climbed more than 300 meters or close to a 1000’. There was a few good slam comments tossed my way

but in good CFA spirit, they all continued up the climb even higher. Their efforts were rewarded with fantastic views (as promised) along the top of Eagle Ridge and at the aid station ridge lookout.

 

The next section of trail down Eagle and Academy seemed to be the highlight for most, and offered a bit of a break from the climbing. Strong Road trail network was the hardest to navigate, but luckily there was a few runners intermixed that knew the way and the great part about this area is, if you get totally screwed up, head downhill on any of the many options and it will get you back on course pretty quick. Lori, one of our runners joked that through this section she used the “eenie meenie, I don’t know�? process to pick her route.

The final homeward stretch rhythm along the inlet was broken only by a nice aid station at the 16 km mark with lots of healthy and unhealthy (but enjoyable) treats. Thanks to Diane and Baldwin for manning this oasis.

 

The first strong runners came in together all in a smoking fast time of 2:07:26 with a short break to 3 others pretty quick behind. First female finisher rolled in with a 2:38:30 proving all the hill training and trail running she has been doing is turning her into a superwoman. Special additional mentions need to go out to Angela Spooner, Heather Summerville and Sharon Bryson who had just returned from racing the Boston Marathon just 5 short days ago. All three of these inspirational runners showed me they can mix in some CFA fun with some serious marathon racing and still enjoy both. Great job girls!

 

Shout outs also go to Lorraine Suomi who decided this new run would be “fun�? to do as her first run longer than 10 km in maybe a half a dozen years or more. She finished looking strong and still had a smile on her face so we may see her out for more runs in the future. CFA spirit thanks also goes out to Dan Daoust (local tri-cities runner) who sacrificed a much faster finish time to hang back and ensure a few out of town runners made it through the sometimes confusing trail route and didn’t get lost. And no Dan, although you thought you would be DFL, you weren’t.

 

Although we were 75 meters from the front door of a beautiful rec centre, most runners enjoyed laying out on the grass at the finish area and soaking in the sun. The only thing that dragged them away was the appealing thought of a cold fermented beverage and some food at the nearby pub. Rickers Red seemed the popular choice of runners, but I think it was consumed strictly for re-hydration purposes…

 

Because of the generous donations from North Shore Athletics, Norco Performance Bikes and Kinesis, every runner that came to the pup after party went away with some sort of draw prize. Thanks to these supporters for the icing on the cake of a fantastic day.

 

Also, in thanks mode, I have to send thanks out to the following keeners who made this run more enjoyable for all. First to Chris and Greg, the 2 volunteers who delivered the much enjoyed water, Gatorade, RedBull, fruit and treats in their backpacks on their off road motorcycles way up to a point on the run course that no regular 4 wheel vehicle could get to. Then to Ruby and Diane who helped out at the start line getting everyone checked in and accounted for. Ruby helped right through the day with logistics and Diane manned the oasis aid station on the homeward leg. After Baldwin figured out his couch wasn’t going to be delivered that morning, he was too late to run the event, but at least he came out and helped with an aid station. Way to go buddy, next time look at the date on the delivery notice... haha.

 

Special huge thanks goes out to Francisco and his crew from TrailSidePhysio who came out on their mountain bikes to support the runners in the event of injury. It was nice that we didn’t need their help, but sure good piece of mind that they were there. What goes around comes around, so if you need some runners specific physio, chiro, massage therapy or any injury relief, give these guys a call (604-432-6319).

 

And finally… from me as the event organizer… thanks to all you runners that came out to support a brand new event. Without you, the event wouldn’t have happened. I’ve been asked by CFA for a minimum 3 year commitment when putting on an event, so I’m looking forward to seeing you all next spring again for the second Run to the Clouds event. If each of you bring out a friend, we will go for 50 runners in '07 OK?? Look for some slight course changes next year that will add a bit more “singletrack trail�? up top instead of the gravel access road. I have some good ideas already... Also this may change it enough to get it up to a 25 km route… another request from many runners. Anyway THANKS for helping me make this new event fun and successful.

 

Pete SS

 

 

First Name	Last Name	City/ Town	Event	CFA Point Series	Time
Geoffrey	Palmer	Coquitlam	22km	2	2:07:26
Matt	Sessions	Port Moody	22km	1	2:07:26
Mark	Lesack	Surrey	22km	1	2:07:26
Chris	Tomkinson	Coquitlam	22km	1	2:17:56
Peter	van Gaalen	Coquitlam	22km	2	2:19:08
David	Jenkins	Port Moody	22km	1	2:20 15
Darren	Sawchuk	Maple Ridge	22km	2	2:37:00
Elke	Bauer	Coquitlam	22km	2	2:38:30
Ean	Jackson	North Vancouver	22km	1	2:47:30
Doug	MacKay	North Vancouver	22km	2	2:48:06
John	Smalley	Vancouver	22km	2	2:52:20
Rhonda	Gallant	Port Moody	22km	2	3:11
Angela	Spooner	Coquitlam	22km	2	3:11:00
Heather	Somerville	Port Coquitlam	22km	1	3:11:00
Lori	Clerkson	Port Coquitlam	22km	2	3:12:30
Lisa	Kirkland	Port Coquitlam	22km	2	3:12:30
Lorraine	Suomi	North Vancouver	22km	2	3:13:00
Karl	Jensen	North Vancouver	22km	2	3:13:01
Sombrio (4 legger)	Deller	Vancouver	22km		3:13:18
Chin Chin (4 legger)	Deller	Vancouver	22km		3:13:18
Steve	Deller	Vanouver	22km	1	3:13:20
Sharon	Bryson	Richmond	22km	2	3:14:20
Dan	Daoust	Port Coquitlam	22km	2	3:14:30
Patricia	Barry	Vancouver	22km	2	3:23:56
Cynnimon	Rain	Port Coquitlam	22km	1	3:25:20
Bill	Russell	Surrey	22km	-1	DNS
Baldwin	Lee	Burnaby	Crew	1
Ruby	Willis		Crew	1
Diane	Stace-Smith		Crew	1
Chris	Leupold		Crew	1
Greg	Skerratt		crew	1

Event Home | Registration | Agenda | Course
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Background - Run To The Clouds

Event Home | Registration | Agenda | Course
Results |Background | Thanks! | FAQ | Contact

Run To The Clouds was added to the Club Fat Ass event schedule by the
Coquitlam group of Fat Asses in an effort to

• Add another fun event for other CFA members
• Bring people out to the Tri-Cities area and show them some fantastic trails and views
• Put back something to CFA as we have enjoyed the events put on by other hosts.

The Differences

This event follows the guidelines provided by Club Fat Ass for safe and successful, informal endurance sports "parties":

• It is free for Club members
• It is hosted by a Club member
• It is small and informal. Guests should come prepared for the weather and the terrain and not expect aid or course marking. They should expect to follow detailed written course instructions
• It is environmentally friendly. We aim to leave our route in better shape than it was before we passed through.
• It is as much about the camaraderie as the competition.

Guests at the event download from the Internet directions based on natural and physical landmarks. As with orienteering, those who aren't familiar with the course will pause frequently to consult the written directions, giving a slight competitive advantage to those who have trained on it. Course directions are available year 'round on the course page of this website and we encourage everyone to enjoy the route as often as they please throughout the year.

Detailed questions and clarifications specific to this event are provided in the Run To The Clouds FAQ.

Agenda - Run To The Clouds

Event Home | Registration | Agenda | Course
Results |Background | Thanks! | FAQ | Contact

Best you print this and the course description off if you don't want to get lost! Go to the bottom of this page and click on "printer-friendly version" for best results

12 April 2008
07:00?	Drag yourself out of bed. Check the weather. Be sure to print off this agenda and the course description!
09:30	Arrive at Buntzen Lake Recreation area in sunny Port Moody BC. Please plan to be there at least 1/2 an hour early or more so you have time to park and come check in with us. Note: Parking is free at the main area, but does fill up on sunny nice mornings. To find the registration table please walk towards the main beach area from any of the 3 parking lots and head to your left. There will be a gazeebo about 100 meters back from the water. We will be meeting there. Note: there is also washrooms nearby the start area. Come on over and say Hi to all your fellow Club Fat Ass runners. Be ready to go by 9:50 am.
09:50	Welcome and final briefing
09:55	Photo
10:00	Start
12:30 ??	First 25K finisher?
14:00 ??	Last 25K finisher
14:00 on	Food, fermented bevies and CFA runners celebration at the Golden Spike Pub nearby in Port Moody

Course

Despite the detailed description and warnings (e.g. If in doubt, read the directions!!), people will get lost if they don't carry and read the course description. Consider it a rite of passage.

This is an informal, environmentally-friendly event. Be sure to print this agenda and the course description and bring them with you to the run as there are no flags, marshalls or other directions. (I recommend you put them in a plastic baggie, as they will otherwise surely turn to mush.) Better yet, train on the course and bring the directions.

Getting to the Start

The start and finish is at Buntzen Lake
Coquitlam, BC, Canada. Click here for a map.

• Driving east on #1 Highway take the last exit prior to the Port Mann Bridge.
• Head due north along Lougheed Hwy to Coquitlam Center Mall
• At the main Lougheed and Lougheed intersection turn left/West. There will be Coquitlam Dodge dealership on your right and after you turn Coquitlam Center will be on your right. Turn onto Barnet Highway.
• Turn right onto Ioco Road (at Esso Gas Station). Honda dealership is across the road on your left. 
• Go straight through the first light (Murray Street)
• Go straight through the second light (Newport Drive)
• Go straight through the third lights (Ioco Road). Note: There is an IGA and Starbucks on your right at this corner. Start to follow signs to Anmore and Buntzen Lake
• The road you are on turns into Heritage Mountain Blvd and starts uphill and long sweeping left.
• Go straight through light at Ravine Drive
• Follow signs to Heritage Woods, Anmore, Belcarra, Buntzen Lake and White Pine Beach.
• Go straight through the light (Parkside Drive)
• Turn right at the roundabout, following signs
• Turn left at light (Forrest Parkway). Follow signs.
• Turn left at 4 way stop, and follow signs.
• Go straight through at 3 way stop-sign. You are now on East Road.
• Follow East Road right to stop sign. There will be a Fire Hall on your left.
• Turn right at this firehall onto Sunnyside Road. Follow signs to Buntzen Lake.
• Follow Sunnyside Road right down to Buntzen Lake park entrance. Follow road into park.
• If possible park in the last parking lot near Park Warden's house. Please ensure valuables are locked in trunk. Walk straight towards the lake (North) heading slightly left (west). You will see large wooden gazebo. This is the meeting and sign in spot.
• Please plan to be there roughly 15-30 minutes.

What to Bring?

• own race number (for example, your favorite or most exotic race)
• bring your own aid (if you don't know what that is, better wait another year)
• bring your own official timing system (a watch will do, even if the second hand doesn't work)
• bring a change of clothes and towel if you feel like going for a swin in the lake following the run.
• there's no cost to enter if you're a member of Club Fat Ass, but bring a few bucks to buy yourself some junk food along the way and for the finisher party

Post-Run Brunch

• runners, friends and family are encouraged to meet afterwards for brunch and beverages at the Golden Spike...about 10 minutes drive back from the finish. It is located in Port Moody.
• Golden Spike at 3224 St. Johns Street, Port Moody, Canada (604) 461-1188. Please google this for exact location or follow info below:
• To get to the Golden Spike, head back out of the park, back to Fire Hall, turn left on East Road, back the same route you came this morning.. all the way down to Ioco past the IGA on your left and out to Barnet Highway. This time TURN RIGHT at the Esso gas station. The Golden Spike will be 100 meters up on your right hand side. Easy!!  Parking on street or in their parking lot.

Notes

• Run to the Clouds is not a race, but we do keep track of your times so you have something to compare to next year
• we hope everyone will run the same course, but won't disqualify folks for getting lost and running extra distance
• this event is not sponsored, sanctioned, permitted or anything else that would qualify it as an official event
• Free parking, washrooms/change facilities are available at the main beach area of Buntzen Lake.
• The lake is clear (and cold) if anyone wants to go for a post run swim.
• results will be submitted to the the media for the sake of posterity. We often get coverage on the television news. It seems a lot of people think we are nutbars because we do this
• expect rain, maybe snow, some trails, some pavement, some old friends and maybe some new

Course - Run To The Clouds

11 April 2008 Update: Because of high water levels the floating bridge close to the start is currently closed. We'll be taking an alternate course. Check here for a brief description of the changes: http://www.clubfatass.com/news/course-change-run-clouds

Please print out this course description (scroll down for a printer-friendly version) and bring it with you in a plastic baggie to the start.

	Please plan to be at the site at least 1/2 hour before the event starts in order to use the washrooms and sign in with registration. Thanks! Official start time will be 10:00 am sharp.
1	Start at Buntzen Lake BC Hydro beach park. Gazebo on left side as you aproach the water. Elevation 420 feet/123 meters.	0.0 km
2	Head down paved path towards the lake.
3	Turn left onto Energy Trail just before the lake, near boat dock area.	0.05 km
4	Turn right onto Buntzen Lake Trail (first right)	0.6 km
5	Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail	0.9 km
6	Stay left at fork in trail, signed "equestrian overflow parking lot".	1.0 km
7	Turn right towards floating bridge and Buntzen Lake trail. (note: at this point you can see the parking lot across the road on your left, and the lake through the trees on your right)	1.2 km
8	Ignore trail joining in from the right hand side, continue straight on towards floating bridge.	1.4 km
9	Cross floating bridge across south end of Buntzen Lake. Careful of footing if bridge is wet.	1.5 km
10	Turn right onto gravel road after crossing floating bridge.	1.6 km
11	Past "Saddle Ridge Trail" sign, stay on gravel road. (stay right close to lake).	2.3 km
12	Past "Buntzen Lake Trail, and Lake View Trail", again stay right on gravel road. Slight right curve down towards pump house.	2.5 km
13	Reference Point (RP) #1. Turn left onto Buntzen Lake Trail. Note: There is 2 trail entrances here, take the right hand (closest to the lake). This trail has wood gate structure (not onto Lake View Trail).	2.6 km
14	Stay right at trail junction of Old Buntzen Lake Trail, Lake View Trail and Buntzen Lake Trail.	5.9 km
15	Stay right and cross suspension bridge.	6.0 km
16	On event day an aid station will be located here. There is also outhouses located nearby.
17	After crossing bridge you will pass a wooden structure with maps of Buntzen Lake, turn left out onto gravel road, past a hanging wire gate then left again onto gravel road	6.1 km
18	Major creek crossing, small house on the right hand side.	6.3 km
19	You will pass Halvor Linden trail/Swan Falls sign on your right. Note: Ignore spurs and signs off to the right (uphill side). Stay on gravel road with Lesser Buntzen Lake off to your left.	6.5 km
20	Gravel road turns into paved road.	7.1 km
21	Straight through yellow gate.	7.2 km
22	Swing left and cross overtop of the pipeline. Sign on this bridge, Max 61,000 GVW.	7.3 km
23	Proceed over one lane bridge. Note, there will be a small rock quarry on your right here.	7.4 km
24	After passing over one lane bridge, go past a small rock quarry on your left. You will be looking for a wooden power pole that has the #3 mark on it.	7.5 km
25	Reference Point (RP) #2. Note: This is the lowest you will get on the Run to the Clouds route today. Elevation aprox 330 feet/100 meters. Turn left immediately after the wood power pole, up what looks like a creek bed. This changes into a trail within 15 meters.	7.6 km
26	After climbing up a nasty creekbed the trail swings left and starts downhill. When you come to a junction turn right staying on Old Buntzen Lake Trail. Spur down to left goes down to a dead end viewpoint.	7.7 km
27	Go straight through junction, staying on Old Buntzen Lake Trail . Note, there will be an older pumphouse down on your left hand side here.	7.8 km
28	Turn left onto Lake View Trail.	8.6 km
29	Stay left at this trail junction of Old Buntzen Lake Trail, Lake View Trail and Buntzen Lake Trail. Yes, you have been here before. Follow this trail down to the suspension bridge again. You have now completed the first of two figure 8's!	8.7 km
30	Cross suspension bridge again. On event day an aid station will be located here. There is also outhouses located nearby.	8.8 km
31	After crossing bridge go out to the gravel road again, but this time turn right on the road and head up hill.	8.9 km
32	After climbing slight hill on gravel road, turn right onto Buntzen Lake Trail, just past fence on right. Note: This area overlooks the inflow pipes coming down from Coquitlam Lake.	9.1 km
33	Cross Poplar Creek	10.0 km
34	Trail junction, marked "Powerhouse Road", stay straight on Buntzen Lake Trail (do not turn up).	10.4 km
35	Turn right, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail. Do not take Powerhouse Road exit. Trail starts down switchbacks.	11.3 km
36	Stay left, do not take spur out to viewpoint (unless you want to go have a look). Continue down switchbacks and across creek-bridge at bottom.	11.35
37	You will see "Dog Park" fenced area on your right. Continue straight up trail.	12.4 km
38	Note: For people doing the short route, cut through the dog park here to the right and head back to the gazebo for check in. For those wanting more fun, continue straight ahead.	12.5 km half route
39	Run to the Clouds main route, stay left, do not enter doggie park. Head up towards the gravel road
40	Trail joins Powerhouse Road, continue straight ahead towards the gate on this road.	12.7 km
41	Turn left onto the Halvor Lunden Trail at signpost. This will be located just before the main gate on the Powerhouse Road.	13.2 km
42	Cross bridge and take immediate right fork onto "bike route".	14.0 km
43	Stay right at trail junction, along beside creek, do not turn uphill here.	14.05 km
44	Stay on trail past equestrian overflow parking lot. Note: there is an outhouse on your left hand side at this point.	14.3 km
45	Turn left onto Eagle Trail (note: this trail used to be known as Academy Trail).	15.2 km
46	Past a sign post that says Eagle Trail. Trail will swing left and head uphill here. Enjoy :)	15.4 km
47	Trail junction. Stay straight ahead on Eagle Trail and go over wood bridge. Left trail is marked Eagle Trail North.	15.9 km
48	Past Eagle Trail sign. Continue left, slightly uphill.	16.3 km
49	Exit Eagle Trail onto gravel road. Turn right uphill. Yes, that is where you are going way up there. Enjoy.	16.9 km
50	Reference Point (RP) #2. Top power tower. Note: You are the highest elevation you will get today. Elevation 1400 feet/425 meters. Enjoy a break here and U-turn to head down the way you came up. Note: On event day an aid station will be located here at the highest point on route.	18.0 km
51	Past Eagle Trail that you came out of (signed), do not turn in, stay right on gravel road here.	19.1 km
52	After short steep climb to main lookout, take a look down at Buntzen, check out the footbridge you will be on shorty. Do a U-Turn and head downhill. Key trail entrance here. Pay attention!	20.1 km
53	After heading down from look-out STAY RIGHT past the first powerline tower and into a small trail through the bushes here onto Eagle Trail.	20.2 km
54	Turn right at trail junction (creek and bridge on your left). Stay right, DOWNHILL.	20.7 km
55	Past Eagle Trail sign again, at bottom of switchbacks.	21.3 km
56	Watch for first trail off to the left here. Note: There is or was a signpost here but it was laying down. TURN LEFT and continue downhill.	21.6 km
57	Straight through at mini stop sign. Continue straight ahead and back on trail past works yard on your right.	21.9 km
58	Trail junction with sign post on your right. Continue straight ahead, do not turn left here. There will be a trail to south beach marked 2.3 km here.	22.2 km
59	Cross road at pedestrian crossing. Please be careful of vehicles
60	After crossing road get onto Lakeview and Buntzen Lake trail, gravel topped trail swings left and heads downhill following road.	22.3 km
61	Turn right onto gravel road, downhill.	22.4 km
62	Turn right onto floating bridge. Yes, you are completing figure eight #2. Head for home! Note: while you are crossing bridge take a look way up to your right side, you will see where you were a while back. Careful of your footing on bridge	23.4 km
63	After crossing bridge and re-entering the woods, stay right at first trail junction. Head out towards the road.	23.6 km
64	Just before the road turn left onto trail that you came out on this morning. Heading for home now. Do not cross the road.	23.8 km
65	Stay right on Buntzen Lake Trail heading back towards the lake.	24.0 km
66	Stay left at fork in trail, Note: Where you just came from is signed "equestrian overflow parking lot".	24.1 km
67	Turn left onto Energy Trail a the top of a steep short climb.
68	Follow Energy Trail on last leg around to finish area.	24.4 km
69	Past boat dock on your left, head up to the right and towards the gazebo where you started this morning.	24.95 km
*	Finish at Buntzen Lake Beach gazebo. Congratulations, you have just completed the “Run to the Clouds

FAQ - Run To The Clouds

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Q:	Where the heck is Buntzen Lake?
A:	Buntzen Lake is a BC Hydro gem located just north of Port Moody. It is the suburb just east of Burnaby. It is a short hop from anywhere in the lower mainland.
Q:	How do I get there?
A:	It is easiest heading east on Hwy #1, then taking the last turn off before the Port Mann Bridge. Follow signs towards Coquitlam (and Lougheed Highway #7 east as it goes past Riverview and heads towards the mountains. After going under a train bridge continue straight (still North) to the big intersection. Turn left here and Coquitlam Center will be on your right hand side as you head west for about 2 minutes. They you will see signs to Ioco, Buntzen etc. See other additional information on how to get there in this posting..
Q:	How long should it take me to drive out to the start/finish area?
A:	At that time of day, it should take roughly 45 minutes from anywhere in Vancouver area.
Q:	Will it be hard??
A:	The course will be challenging for sure as it has roughly 2000' of elevation gain throughout the 25 km route. After completing a lap of Buntzen (lots of small ups and downs) it will head up the west flank of Eagle Mountain to a turn around point up high. Then, after descending back down to lake level it will return back to the start/finish area via the lower end of the lake and some of the first few km's of the route. Views are unreal, unless of course we are in the clouds. Hence the name of the event.
Q:	What type of terrain should I expect to be running on?
A:	The course will be mainly gravel topped nice singletrack trails through the woods. with a bit of fire road, mixed in. Other than crossing a road twice, there is no pavement. Care will have to be taken on the rougher surfaces as it might be easy to roll an ankle or get tripped up. Not for runners who like tracks, flat courses, or 100% groomed and raked surfaces.

Thank You - Run To The Clouds

If you'd like to support the Run To The Clouds in some way, we'd love to have you onboard. At the very least, we can promise you a place on this Thank You page!