Frontrunners Trail Running Clinic 2024

Frontrunners Fall Trail Running Clinic:
Explore the beautiful Lower Vancouver Island CRD and BC Parks!!

October 19 - November 23, 2024

(Six Saturday Sessions)

So, you want to head out to explore the trails with friends? Join us for a six-week trail running clinic. Our clinic is perfect for any runner who wants to try trails or improve their trail skills.This clinic will provide a great base for you to try your first trail race or continue with your own trail adventures in the years to come!

Note: this is not a clinic for new runners. Participants should already be running regularly - you do not have to have trail experience or be a fast runner (we have a variety of pace groups) but please check the prerequisites listed below to ensure you meet clinic requirements for basic running experience.

The clinic format will be a weekly Saturday trail run led by experienced trail runners. We will meet at 8:00am in a different starting location each week. Be ready to explore local CRD and BC Parks and build your trail running knowledge and experience. As part of the clinic, we will share information about all things trail running, such as: trail technique and how it differs from road running, descending/climbing, safety on the trails, trail gear, 10 safety essentials for trails, etiquette, route finding/navigation and nutrition/hydration. Plus, you will have an opportunity to meet new run buddies and discover some of the wonderful trails that we have right at our doorstep!

Timing: We meet Saturdays at 8:00 am and you should plan to spend two - three hours with the clinic each Saturday. Most weeks we will have a short talk before the run and then head out on the trails, followed by post-run treats!

Format: Small group trail runs led by run leaders, with short talks/info sessions included in each run. We offer a number of pace groups to support different run speeds. Each week run leaders will choose a route from two route options (long/short) that best fits their group.

Prerequisites:

• Running Background: You should be running regularly 3-5 times per week, with at least one longer run each week of an hour or more, at a pace of 7:00/km or faster (steady, continuous running, road or trail). You do not need to have any experience running on trails.

• Gear: Trail shoes are not necessary but we do recommend them as we progress to more technical trails. You will find that they help with footing and stability. A belt or vest for carrying nutrition/hydration and some trail essentials (ie. wind/rain jacket, buff, gloves) would be very helpful.

Expected Schedule & Locations:

We acknowledge with gratitude the lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ peoples on whose territories we will run during this clinic.

• October 19 - Francis/King Regional Park (CRD)

• October 26 - ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Park (BC Parks)

• November 2 - Thetis Lake Regional Park (CRD)

• November 9 - Gowlland Tod Provincial Park (BC Parks)

• November 16 - Goldstream Provincial Park (BC Parks)

• November 23 - Roche Cove Matheson Lake Regional Parks

Post-Clinic: Once the clinic is wrapped up, participants might like to race one of our awesome local trail running events such as:

• November 23, 2024 – Prairie Inn Harriers Gunner Shaw 10k Cross Country Classic (optional, separate registration required)

• December 8, 2024 – Prairie Inn Harriers Stewart Mountain 10/5 Mile Cross Country Challenge (optional, separate registration required)