The Eagle, Canada's First 100 Mile Cross Country Run
Apex B.C.
Sept. 5 - 6, 1998
Trails, Mining and Logging Roads
by Ron Nicholl
Ultra Runner
Ron Nicholls |
Apex B.C. The 3rd annual Eagle 100 Mile Cross Country Run held on September 5-6,
1998 was won by Mike Topper in 22:04:42. Karen King took the women's
honors in 27:43:56. Mike, of Redwood City, CA had finished 11th overall
at Western States this year while this was Karen's second 100 mile win
of the year, having also won the women's division of Alaska's
Iditasport. The men's race started out with Randy Gehrke and Tim Stroh
as early leaders, followed closely by Jim Swadling, third place finisher
in '96. Once into the high country and past the halfway point, Topper
went one and two with Swadling, eventually opening up an hour lead at
the finish. Karen had very near even splits as she steadily moved
toward the finish, seemingly unchallenged.
British Columbia's dry summer this year provided the lowest water level
yet for both Hedley Creek and the Similkameen River. During the
previous two Eagle's, the water level had been higher than normal, so
this year tended to average that out. The twelve stream crossings that
come early are all on Hedley Creek, with the trail criss-crossing back
and forth. The first crossing that we came to was actually a dry
crossing, managed by just jumping a few rocks. Compared to years past,
it was amazing. This was soon followed by wet crossings that were
familiar to those that have run the Eagle before. Many noted that it
still required a great deal of energy to cross, irregardless of water
level, just because the footing is so slippery and the current tends to
pin one against the rocks. In addition to being pinned, I had fun at
one point extricating my shoe from an underwater crevasse. The immediate
thought was "how far can I go on one shoe?" The remaining crossings
closer to Hedley are "bridged" in various fashions. One was a log with
a single slack cable for steadying. Many chose the water over this.
After forty minutes of wet feet, even the more precarious dry crossings
became a welcome relief.
The Similkameen River is the last major wet spot on the way out after
the creek crossings. The lower level this year was a treat after some
very wet crossings of the past two years. The warmer water was also a
plus. On the way out, the river is at mile 20. It has to be crossed
again, one final time, at mile 82. This is in the night or early
morning hours for almost everyone. Last year this was particularly
difficult due to the water level and the lack of assistance. This
year George and Steve were in the river in wetsuits to assist on the
return crossing.
The route between Hedley and the river, as well as the Nickel Plate
road, travels through active mining areas. They are active now, only
due to the reclamation that is going on. Both mines have been closed
and it will take up to seven years of reclamation to return the land to
its former state complete with vegetation including new trees. The
piles of soil and mine tailings near Hedley gave one the hint of
running by a hazardous waste dump, complete with plastic pipes
protruding in every direction as part of the aeration process. A good
place to pick up the pace.
One cannot report on the Eagle without mentioning the high country.
>From the river at 1,500' the climb up to the Quiniscoe Lodge is another
5,100'. The next three miles is the topping out point at 8,100' and is
referred to as the rock cairns. Very little trail here, just move from
ribboned rock cairn to rock cairn. I adopted what I called the rock
cairn shuffle. Catch your breath at one cairn and then on to the next
one, for another breathing break. The views from this high point are
really awesome. You can look back to the south and see across the
border into Washington State or look down the other side to see where
you have yet to go to get back to Apex and the finish forty-seven miles
away. This year even the wind cooperated without the normal howling at
the top.
Another unique highlight of the Eagle is the last 16 miles up the famous
"Nickel Plate Road." This unrelenting climb is once again from the
valley floor alongside the Similkameen River at 1,500' on up to the
6,000' within two miles of the finish. The aid station added last year,
at four miles up the climb, provides an essential break. Two more aid
station and the course tops out in preparation for the last two miles
that actually are downhill to the finish. The finish at the porch of
the Inn at Apex Resort is really special. Quite a relief to know that a
shower and a bed are within a few feet of the finish.
The 60% finishing rate this year is undoubtedly a function of better
support out on the course, a better-marked course, and a more "seasoned"
group of runners. Special mention has to be made of a few runners,
"seasoned" or not. Cameron Wilson, a 19 year old, who finished in 27:56
has only been running ultras for a year. Melis White, who has started
all three Eagles, finally got her first finish in 29:24. Kristina
Irvin, the only other three-time finisher waited about 15 minutes in the
last mile for Melis and an emotional finish together. I was very
pleased to pass on the "Perpetual Award for Last Finisher" plaque to
Martin Hillyer and John Malkin, after holding this award for the past
two years. I also had the additional pressure of fulfilling an award
presented to me before the race, for completing my 100th ultra.
The 1998 Eagle was the best ever for organization, volunteers, course
markings, and support. Some of these areas came up short the first year
and were not completely addressed in the second year, but they were
unquestionably covered this year. Three aid stations and three water
only stops were added between Quiniscoe and Ashnola. In addition, on
the climb up to Quiniscoe an additional water only stop was added. This
high country has been a troublesome area where people have run out of
water and aid in previous years. That was not a problem this year.
Special thanks to Moe's team of volunteers. Some are identifiable, such
as Bob Hazell, who has assisted Moe each year and this year was in
charge of the river crossing on the way out and the finishing line. Rob
Grant, Ken Cretelli and Gail Bazeley; who did an excellent job of
marking trail in the cairns area and on down to Ewart Creek, George
Forshaw and Steve Brittle; who donned the wet suits and assisted us
across the Similkameen River on the return. Special thanks to the
Penticton Search and Rescue and the Keremeos Search and Rescue for their
added support along the course. A thank you to the Upper and Lower
Similkameen Bands for their assistance and permission to pass through
the reserve lands along the river. The Inn at Apex for opening up
"off-season" just for the Eagle also merits special thanks. Their
hospitality and concern for the race were especially appreciated. The
town of Hedley also deserves special thanks for all the support they
provided. The three Hedley ladies wrapped up in blankets while sitting
in their electric wheelchairs that directed us up the street to the aid
station provided a welcome greeting in the dark of the night. They
really impressed me as I passed by just before 4:00am.
Earl Preeper reported that Moe, the race director, "seemed to be
everywhere, doing everything, trying to make this event one of the best
100 milers anywhere." He and some volunteers were the aid station half
way down to Hedley, just before the creek crossings. He was at Ashnola
and then after we left the White Bridge, before the start of the climb
up to Quiniscoe, there was Moe and another volunteer again, handing out
pop sickles. He was back at Ashnola on the return. I concur with Earl
that Moe deserves a large thanks for continuing to organize and
orchestrate the Eagle. Earl expressed it well in saying that "This is a
great event and anyone brave enough to accept a real challenge should
give it a try."
I came to run with the Eagle
To conquer the mountains
without and within.
This time I conquered the mountains
I AM VICTORIOUS
The Eagle 100 Miles
British Columbia 1998
(Inscription on runner's photographs made available by Steve Tomlinson
Photography, Penticton, B.C.)
1. Mike Topper, 38, CA 22:04:42
2. Jim Swadling, 51 23:04:12
3. Tim Stroh, 36, WA 26:10:26
4. Eugene Trahern, 35, WA 26:10:26
5. Earl Preeper, 41 26:48:49
6. Karen King, 41, WA F 27:43:56
7. Cameron Wilson, 19, CA 27:56:33
8. Colin Kingsford, 55, PQ 28:28:53
9. Bevin Lister, 48, ALB 28:28:53
10. Drew Sommerfeldt, 46, ALB 28:28:53
11. Randy Gehrke, 40, WA 28:42:16
12. Tom Rowe, 50, MT 28:56:49
13. Ron Nicholl, 55, WA 29:16:06
14. Kristina Irvin, 40, CA F 29:24:29
15. Melis White, 31, CA F 29:24:29
16. Max Welker, 56, WA 29:30:59
17. Brent Spilsbury, 50, WA 29:39:53
18. Dave Dutton, 41, WA 29:44:40
19. Jim Magill, 51, CA 29:45:21
20. Jim Wholey, 52, CA 29:46:49
21. Jim Ballard, 48, MT 31:07:33
22. Martin Hillyer, 60, CA 31:10:38
23. John Malkin, 41 31:10:38
38 Starters
Submitted by
Ron Nicholl
# # #
Have you got a human interest story to share or something newsworthy regarding running ?
ontherunevents.com is happy to share news & stories like this
with our readers.
Send us your stories, your experiences!
Copyright © 1998 ontherunevents.com, All rights reserved.
Commercial use or redistribution in any form, printed or electronic, is prohibited.
please visit
Contact us today for details on how we can help get your event or product On-line
?
