VFR reindeer run and Xmas brunch
December 9, 2006

On Dasher! On Blitzen! On front runners?!

Yes, front runners donned antlers on their heads and bells on their feet so as to better startle passers by as we ran through Stanley park during our "regular" Saturday-morning recreational run.

Brunch at Wild Garlic saw Santa handing out re-gifted gifts to front runners, all dressed in their best Xmas kitsch! He paid special attention to outgoing VFR president, Ray Duggan who not only got to sit on Santa's knee but also got a legitimate(!) thank-you gift from the club.

The entertainment continued later that afternoon when several VFR merry makers attended the Vancouver Men's Chorus's concert, Making Spirits Bright.

We started at 9:00 and finished up at around 4:30. All in all a full and fully festive day!

And our thanks for these shenanigans goes to Gar Fisher for organizing it all and to Sandy at Wild Garlic for putting up with it all!

James Cunningham Seawall Race
October 29, 2006

The James Cunningham is an annual fall favourite in the Vancouver running scene. The event is named in honour of the master stonemason who oversaw the construction of Stanley Park's beautiful seawall and the route follows the fruit of his labours for a distance of 9.5 km.

The fun actually started the night before when we joined Jim Compston's Hallowe'en party. On the day of the race we weathered brisk winds and waves pounding on the seawall.

Thanks go to David Webb for sorting out another race for us!

Pacific Spirit Park run, brunch, VFR AGM
September 24, 2006

Long-time board member, Bob Knall, organized the entire day for us. He led us on a run in Pacific Spirit Park, he and his partner Gary fed us breakfast at their fab home close by, and then Bob hosted the annual general meeting.

Conditions were ideal for a run along the trails in this forested area of Point Grey. It was a bright, sunny day with just a hint of fall in the air.

While everyone else was enjoying the park , Gary was slaving over a hot stove and a scrumptious brunch awaited the tired runners.

After we ate and socialized our president, Ray Duggan, led us through the annual general meeting. Click here to read his report.

Thank you Bob and Gary for a successful day!

Top of page

1st World Outgames, Montréal
July 26 to August 5, 2006

From July 26 to August 5, the 1st World Outgames brought together LGBT athletes from around the world in unprecedented numbers for a celebration of sport, culture and human rights.

Over 20 Vancouver Front Runners participated in the games in a variety of sporting events and brought home medals in cross country, track, marathon, triathlon and swimming.

Montréal proved to be a wonderful host city. Montrealers of all ages and stripes would stop to ask us how we were enjoying the competitions and the city.

Merci Montréal. À la prochaine!

Top of page

Gay Games VII, Chicago
July 15 - 22, 2006

From July 15 to 22, Chicago played host to the world and welcomed thousands of athletes, spectators and cultural participants to the seventh Gay Games.

Several participants from Vancouver attended. The running events were on Monday (10 km), Wednesday (5 km) and Saturday (marathon and half-marathon). Monday was the hottest day of the year in Chicago! Congratulations to Bob Knall who ran on all three days!

Top of page

ScotiaBank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K
June 25, 2006

The half-marathon route starts at UBC, runs along the shoreline and ends in Stanley Park. The 5 km route is in Stanley Park.

Several VFR members participated in this popular event.

Top of page

Lees Trail Triathlon
May 27, 2006

The English Bay Triathlon Club presents the Lees Trail Triathlon annually as a fund raiser for the Gay and Lesbian Educators of BC. The course route is entirely within Stanley Park. The race comprises a 500 m swim, a 10 km bike and a 4 km run. It starts at Second Beach Pool for the swim, loops around Park Drive for the bike and finishes off in the forest for the run. Several VFR members volunteer for this event or participate as competitors.

www.englishbay.org

www.galebc.org

Top of page

Vancouver Marathon
May 7, 2006

Vancouver Front Runners made a full weekend out of the Vancouver Marathon this year.

We started off with our traditional rhodo run on Saturday morning. We usually have out-of-town guests on this weekend and we like to show off Stanley Park's rhododendron gardens, which are at peak bloom at this time of year. (It's also a much shorter run.)

Later that day we all gathered at Wild Garlic Bistro for dinner and drinks. We were happy to welcome contingents from Sacramento and Seattle. Sandy and the rest of the Wild Garlic crew did a wonderful job feeding and entertaining us.

It rained for the run on Sunday morning.

But the clouds parted (somewhat) later on and we still had a backyard BBQ.

Thanks to the organizers, our friends at Wild Garlic, the runners and especially our guests!

Top of page

Sun Run
April 23, 2006

The Vancouver Sun Run is Canada's largest road race. This year they had over 50,000 registrants for this 10 km run through downtown Vancouver.

More than 20 Vancouver Front Runners took part, either on the VFR team, other teams or singly.

The race has several categories for team entries. Vancouver Front Runners competed in the one called Non-corprate and Non-professional.

Patrick Tham was our team captain once again and led us to a second place finish in our category. Yes, we faced fierce competition yet again from Team Optometry who placed first. Who've thought optometrists could run so fast?

Even still, the weekend was a great success. Stephane Cayer and his lovely husband hosted a pre-run potluck at their beautiful home the night before. The sun shone down on the course all Sunday morning. After the race the team went for a delicious Dim Sum, which Patrick had organized for us.

Many thanks to Patrick, all his helpers and all the participants.

Top of page

SpringAhead
April 2, 2006

This scenic event takes place in the quiet rural setting of Mission's Ferndale area, a small community in the Fraser Valley. Routes are 5 km, 10 km and half marathon.

Mike Ross lives close by and he was pleased to welcome his fellow front runners—including a pair of Seattle Frontrunners—to Mission for the weekend.

The race went off without a hitch. The volunteers kept us on track. No one took a wrong turn, a very good thing too, as some of the access roads led to the local prison. However, one of the traffic volunteers was so VGL that he was a little distracting.

Many thanks to Ray Duggan and Mission Mike for arranging a wonderful overnight road trip.

Top of page