Nearly 70 registered participants took part in Ahousaht’s first annual Run the Wild Side event held June 23.
Organized by Tara Atleo and Travis Thomas, the run was offered in two parts. The longer, more grueling 10k run took place in the morning, and the shorter, more leisurely walk/run started in the afternoon.
Walk the Wild Side Trail is an Ahousaht eco-friendly hiker attraction. Starting at the southwestern edge of the community, it meanders for 11k along the coastline to the western-most beach, Cow Bay, where the grey whales come to feed.
Originally used by Ahousaht food hunters and gatherers, the trail became overgrown due to disuse. It was restored in the early 1990s with the help of Ahousaht volunteers, the federal government and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee as an ecotourism destination.
More recently, Atleo and Thomas were hired to manage and promote the trail. They used the event to promote the trail at the start of new tourist season and to promote fitness within the community.
This year they partnered with the Running Room, a company that sells running shoes and gear.
The 10k run started at 9 on an overcast but dry morning. Runners took off from the start line located at the southern edge of the community where the paved road leading to the new subdivision starts. They ran through the subdivision then down a short path leading to the first beach.
At the end of the first beach is a trail through old-growth forest lined with boardwalks. The short trail ends at another beach. This pattern continues until the runner hits the final marker and turns back toward the village for the long run to the finish line.
The trail is rated moderate in the hiking community because some spots along the headland trails have a higher level of difficulty.
The winner of the 10k was James Gardner of Tofino with a time of 47 minutes, 15 seconds. Julian Harrison, also of Tofino came in second and Ahousaht’s Travis Thomas placed third with a time of 53:11.
Camille McIntosh was the first woman to cross the 10k finish line while Hesquiaht grandmother Lisa Sabbas was the first Nuu-chah-nulth woman to finish.
Scott Little of Ahousaht won the 5k easily, having run the entire distance to the end of the second beach and back. Nelson Keitlah III took second place while Gord Johns of Tofino took third place.
The first female across the finish line was another Nuu-chah-nulth grandmother, Michelle Campbell, who happens to be sister to Lisa Sabbas.
The eldest runner for the 10k was James ‘Moon’ Tom and Louie Frank Sr. for the 5k.
Thomas said there was no budget for prizes for this year’s race, but winners can take away bragging rights. He hopes that fundraising efforts will allow them to supply prizes for Run the Wild Side 2013.
