The ECT Ultra is a 50km race along the East Coast Trail starting in Pouch Cove at sunrise, and ending at sunset in Quidi Vidi. In 2013 Rob Briggs and Caroline McIlroy entered the 125 km Canadian Death Race. They had never done a trail run over 30 km before and realized they quickly needed to up their game. They decided to run from Pouch Cove to Quidi Vidi along the East Coast Trail. As they ran the route, they realized that it would make a fantastic, challenging and fun race. Exhausted but happy at the end, they enjoyed a pint and some hot food. Rob had recently returned from the UK where fell (hill) races are all about the race not the extras such as race food, medals, T-shirts etc. Rob had seen a race advertised as 5 pounds entry, Curly Wurly for all finishers. So that is the race philosophy: the race itself is the fun event, the finish line is inside the Inn of Olde where anyone who finishes gets a Curly Wurly, and everyone gets homemade chilli and can enjoy a beer while they wait for the other finishers.
With an estimated 20 million participants since 2010, trail running has been one of the world’s fastest growing sports, according to the International Track and Field Federation. So today we are going to talk with Don Clarke the Director of Sales, Marketing and Communications & Community Events Coordinator at The Outfitters, Adventure Gear & Apparel and organizer of the ECT Ultra to learn more about the event itself and in the second part of the show we will chat with Lindsay Baird who was a first time participant in the ECT 50 this year. She’ll share her preparation, highlights and tips for those looking at starting trail running or looking to tackle next years race.