Ian
01-24-07, 11:22 PM
30km across a frozen lake sounds like fun right?
Here's a couple of images of the spectacular scenery.
Image #1 (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/368624544_c01bb338f5_o.jpg)
Image #2 (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/110/368624545_c7a0558ce7_o.jpg)
Below is the write up from the pdf file I got last week promoting this adventure. If I drop out of sight, you'll all know where I went.
Hofstadter's Law :
It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter's Law.
=============
15th Annual Polar Bear
The 15th annual Polar Bear Run is scheduled for Sunday, March
11, 2007. The run is approximately 18 – 19 miles, starting at
Husivak Road at the lake front (approx 4 miles south of Gimli)
and ending at Grand Marias. There are two start times, 8.00 am
for the 3 hr plus runners and 9.00 pm for runners who can
complete the race under 3 hours.
The run takes place on the Snowman Trail that crosses the lake,
groomed and comes complete with a warm up shack in the
middle of the lake. The trail has markers every 1/10 th of a mile
so you can keep your direction should the weather reduce the
visibility. The footing varies, some years there has been large
sheets of ice which makes it difficult to run or there has been
some loose snow which again creates problems. Generally the
footing is crusty and you don’t sink into the packed snow too
much.
The weather has varied greatly over the last 14 years, from rain
to blizzards, and from plus freezing to minus 30 degrees. We
run from west to east as the winds are generally prevailing from
the west. Conditions are checked the night before and the run
organizer will make the final decision if the race has to be
postponed. Generally speaking, the race would only be
cancelled if there were strong easterly winds, open water or
surface water on the ice. The race has been cancelled once and
postponed twice due to weather over the history of the run.
The ground support sled will carry water to replace runner’s
water bottles during the race. It is important that as much as
possible, runners carry their own water bottles and keep it in an
insulated container. During previous runs, the ground support
water supply has frozen up within the first hour and or the
supply has been extremely cold which will add to your chances
of hypothermia if it is a cold day. Also, the ground support may
only meet up with you every half hour and towards the end, this
half hour without water could be a problem if you are on the
verge of dehydration / hypothermia.
Dress warm. The best gear is a layer that is breathable but yet
wind proof. The air temperature will generally be 3 – 5 degrees
colder than the land temperature and if sunny, the sun will
create the opposite effect and cook you. The worst is starting
with a bright sun and at the end the sky clouds over and we start
getting a slight head wind off the opposite side. The
temperature in this scenario can swing 10 – 15 degrees. Most
people run on regular runners, wind pants with one layer
underneath and maybe 3 layers on their upper bodies. It would
be prudent to bring a balaclava just incase the wind changes
and you need something to protect your exposed face.
Sunglasses are important and without them you will probably go
home half blind and a splitting headache. Most runners come
home with true sunburn from the run.
Additional gear; it would be advisable to bring a compass just in
case the weather really changes and the visibility drops. One
year you would hit the incline of the opposite shore without
seeing it. Insulated water bottles and some nutrients for energy
are also recommended.
The cost depends on the number of runners. We collect a fee to
cover the cost of renting the snowmobile sled. I have found
volunteers in the past but they are usually the ones who cancel
out by the race day. I generally rent at least one sled and
blackmail my son into operating it so we know there is at least
one machine to help out. If anyone know of someone who will
volunteer, this would be great.
After the run, we meet for breakfast at Grand Beach (Tempo Gas
Bar West Beach Restaurant). Leading up to the race day, we will
use an email group list to circulate names and car pooling
information.
Attached are a couple of pics from two years ago!
I hope this provides you with enough information for now; I look
forward to seeing you soon.
Jeff Badger
Here's a couple of images of the spectacular scenery.
Image #1 (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/368624544_c01bb338f5_o.jpg)
Image #2 (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/110/368624545_c7a0558ce7_o.jpg)
Below is the write up from the pdf file I got last week promoting this adventure. If I drop out of sight, you'll all know where I went.
Hofstadter's Law :
It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter's Law.
=============
15th Annual Polar Bear
The 15th annual Polar Bear Run is scheduled for Sunday, March
11, 2007. The run is approximately 18 – 19 miles, starting at
Husivak Road at the lake front (approx 4 miles south of Gimli)
and ending at Grand Marias. There are two start times, 8.00 am
for the 3 hr plus runners and 9.00 pm for runners who can
complete the race under 3 hours.
The run takes place on the Snowman Trail that crosses the lake,
groomed and comes complete with a warm up shack in the
middle of the lake. The trail has markers every 1/10 th of a mile
so you can keep your direction should the weather reduce the
visibility. The footing varies, some years there has been large
sheets of ice which makes it difficult to run or there has been
some loose snow which again creates problems. Generally the
footing is crusty and you don’t sink into the packed snow too
much.
The weather has varied greatly over the last 14 years, from rain
to blizzards, and from plus freezing to minus 30 degrees. We
run from west to east as the winds are generally prevailing from
the west. Conditions are checked the night before and the run
organizer will make the final decision if the race has to be
postponed. Generally speaking, the race would only be
cancelled if there were strong easterly winds, open water or
surface water on the ice. The race has been cancelled once and
postponed twice due to weather over the history of the run.
The ground support sled will carry water to replace runner’s
water bottles during the race. It is important that as much as
possible, runners carry their own water bottles and keep it in an
insulated container. During previous runs, the ground support
water supply has frozen up within the first hour and or the
supply has been extremely cold which will add to your chances
of hypothermia if it is a cold day. Also, the ground support may
only meet up with you every half hour and towards the end, this
half hour without water could be a problem if you are on the
verge of dehydration / hypothermia.
Dress warm. The best gear is a layer that is breathable but yet
wind proof. The air temperature will generally be 3 – 5 degrees
colder than the land temperature and if sunny, the sun will
create the opposite effect and cook you. The worst is starting
with a bright sun and at the end the sky clouds over and we start
getting a slight head wind off the opposite side. The
temperature in this scenario can swing 10 – 15 degrees. Most
people run on regular runners, wind pants with one layer
underneath and maybe 3 layers on their upper bodies. It would
be prudent to bring a balaclava just incase the wind changes
and you need something to protect your exposed face.
Sunglasses are important and without them you will probably go
home half blind and a splitting headache. Most runners come
home with true sunburn from the run.
Additional gear; it would be advisable to bring a compass just in
case the weather really changes and the visibility drops. One
year you would hit the incline of the opposite shore without
seeing it. Insulated water bottles and some nutrients for energy
are also recommended.
The cost depends on the number of runners. We collect a fee to
cover the cost of renting the snowmobile sled. I have found
volunteers in the past but they are usually the ones who cancel
out by the race day. I generally rent at least one sled and
blackmail my son into operating it so we know there is at least
one machine to help out. If anyone know of someone who will
volunteer, this would be great.
After the run, we meet for breakfast at Grand Beach (Tempo Gas
Bar West Beach Restaurant). Leading up to the race day, we will
use an email group list to circulate names and car pooling
information.
Attached are a couple of pics from two years ago!
I hope this provides you with enough information for now; I look
forward to seeing you soon.
Jeff Badger