2005 - Year 12

Weather on New Years day in Vancouver generally ranges from lousy to downright awful. Assuming you didn't spend too much time standing around at aid stations, the weather was just about perfect for a run this year. True, it was a bit misty at the start...some even spotted a flurry or 2 up in the deep woods of Pacific Spirit Park...but by noon, temperatures had risen to the upper single digits and everyone was treated to magnificent sunshine and a spectacular view of the North Shore mountains.

Ted from CTV was back to document this icon of west coast lifestyle. There were 70 starters this year from as far away as Iowa City and Toronto. A few cheeky runners managed to get their bottoms on national television news. Many more were interviewed and likely had their IQs debated in living rooms across North America.

Most participants agreed to "run friendly" for the first 20 minutes or so. This tradition encourages all runners to get to know one another a bit before the more competitive elements attempt to rip each other's throats out.

Another unique feature of this and other Club Fat Ass events is that the route is not marked in any way. That's right, no fluorescent cones, no policemen at intersections, no surveyor tape in the trees or paint on the ground to harm the environment and no white chalk on corners to get the HazMaT (Hazardous Materials Team) all excited...just the written instructions provided by the Event Host. This year a good 20% of the field got lost to some degree or another, though none for any great distance. Tradition also has it that the Event Host buys a beer for those inconvenienced by bad directions, so the jury will soon be deliberating circumstances around Beaver Lake on the come-home trail through Stanley Park.

Charges of misleading advertising are pending regarding claims of "no aid" and the requirement that all runners be self-sufficient. For the first time in the 12-year history of the event there were two full-on buffet aid stations along the route. Many thanks to Mark Shorter, Troy Angrignon, Stephanie and David Tatum who set up aid stations at Spanish Banks and the 25K point, and to Keith Nichol and Tom Skinner at North Shore Athletics, Hammergel for the energy gels, Pete Stace-Smith at Norco, and the friends and family who chipped-in home baking and other goodies for the pot-luck aid stations.

We like to emphasize the camaraderie over the competition in this off-season classic, but several competitive records were broken. Dave Cressman, Bill Dagg, Tim Wiens and Jordan Back battled it out for top male runner, while Ellie Greenwood, Rainy Kent and Ann Taylor, Carol Holmes and Celina Kleinschroth represented the top women. Dave kissed the fire hydrant first in 4:33, claiming his third Vancouver New Years Day Fat Ass 50 victory. Ellie won top honors for the women in 5:00 and 4th overall finisher. Also of note was that almost half of all participants entered the "Freeze Your Fat Ass Swim" in Burrard Inlet. Owen Davis and Doug Kier judged the water to be "bracing". Speaking with a very high-pitched voice at the finisher party, the winner of the prize for the longest swim claimed to have been in for more than 2 minutes...another record!

Speaking of camaraderie and good sportsmanship, there were two particular highlights: Thank you to the homeless man in the shelter on Rawlings Trail in Stanley Park who directed runners toward Second Beach and the seawall. He was howling with laughter by the time I ran by him. Also, one of the top runners slowed to help direct a couple of women who had jogged past a trail junction. "Hey...if you're in the Fat Ass 50, you just missed the turn-off!" Apparently startled by the interruption, they both turned around and responded, "I'm not 50 and I don't have a fat ass!"

This year we moved the post event get-together to the Mosquito Creek Grill in North Vancouver. There was lots of room, good food and a free beer for each runner and crew member. Mark, Troy, Stephanie and David received a standing ovation for their aid stations. Thanks to Norco, Hammergel and the MEC there were lots of fun recognition prizes.

Congrats to all participants and may 2005 bring you good health, happiness and prosperity.

Ean “Rain, No Train

2005 Results