2003 - Year 10

"Why do otherwise perfectly normal people run 50 kilometers?," media folks out to cover this year's event asked. Given that 50K is the shortest ultramarathon distance, that's an easy question for an ultramarathoner to answer! However, why anyone would want to run the distance with a hangover on a cold New Years day, in the driving rain, on muddy trails, with minimal aid and encouragement was a popular topic of discussion amongst participants this year. In the words of this year's first finisher, Dave Cressman, "The weather added another dimension to the run. With your mind focused on battling the wind, the cold and the rain, you didn't think as much about the pain."

Vancouver's Fat Ass 50 celebrated it's 10th birthday this year. With 66 starters, it was our second-largest field ever. Don't ask me why, but runners came from as far away as France, Boston and Alaska. The weather... normally lousy... was particularly challenging. About half the field got lost, which is to be expected since runners are asked to follow explicit written directions on tricky trails while fighting hypothermia. Of course, the flour used to mark the trails was either washed away by the rain or eaten by crows.

Participants were treated like rock stars by the media. Both CTV and Global were out in the rain to film the start, the beer-swilling at Kevin's Epic Aid Station, and the finish where the hard core Fat Asses were seen frolicking in the icy Pacific. Yes, proof positive that people in Vancouver are a bit different.

For a free, no-frills event, participants made out like bandits. Thanks to "Coyote" Kevin Thomson and Rackets and Runners, 50 Fat Asses hobbled away with distinctive t-shirts to commemorate their achievement . Kevin, who was reduced to rowing 50K on his wind trainer due to an injury, also set up a full-service aid station buffet on his front deck. Where do we start? Beer, baked potatoes with rock salt, sport drink, protein bars, brownies. (What was in those brownies, Kev?) Mike Medland of Adidas chipped in a gym bag full of draw prizes...and gave away the gym bag. Chris at the Cactus Club Grill threw in appies for everyone at the finisher banquet and some gift certificates. Vicky Elsom hand-made marble awards that recognized youngest and oldest participants, the person who came from the farthest way, best smile, good Samaritan, best face plant and the person who was the most lost, which by the way, went to a 4-time finisher.

Congrats to everyone who made the effort to toe the line. Happy trails... and hope to see you hung over and miserable next year!

Ean "Fat Ass" Jackson

Here is a slideshow of photos of the day.

2003 Vancouver Fat-Ass 50 Results

Total Starters: 66
Total Finishers: 66 (44 ultra)