Press Release: Heidt Claims Victory and Course Record & Greenwood Takes Women’s Title

West Vancouver, British Columbia – Saturday, July 11th marked the twenty-first annual running of the Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run (the “Knee Knacker”). Good weather conditions greeted the runners and volunteers on this occasion with clear skies in the morning and warm temperatures throughout the day. Course conditions were excellent, with no snow in the high country and limited patches of deep mud, however heat and humidity were likely a factor as the median finishing time of 7:42:10 was the second slowest ever (second only to 1999’s “Year of the Snow”).

These conditions didn’t hinder Aaron Heidt of Vernon. Heidt, in his second Knee Knacker, bettered his 2008 time by just over 19 minutes, took the overall title, and broke two course records – Kevin Titus’s overall course record of 4:42 set in 2003 and Peter Findlay’s Mens under-40 record of 4:45. Findlay’s record had stood the test of time since 1991. Heidt took the lead in the first quarter, and though he was pursued by 2008 under 40’s winner Oliver Utting of Burnaby, and 2008’s overall winner and 7-time overall champion, Peter Findlay of Kamloops, he extended his lead throughout the day to win with an impressive margin of just over 19 minutes.

In the Women’s division, Knee Knacker newcomer Ellie Greenwood of Vancouver posted the 4th ever fastest Women’s time of 5:36:24, placing 8th overall. Greenwood took an early lead in the first quarter and though 2008’s second place woman, Mel Bos of Kelowna was within 8 minutes at the half-way point, Greenwood extended her lead, taking the Women’s title with an impressive margin of over 19 minutes.

In the Super-Veterans category (>60), Mary Doherty’s time of 7:29:13 in her first Knee Knacker was the fasted for anyone over the age of 60, male or female, in the 2009 race.

Three people also completed their 10th Knee Knacker – Jeff Trigg, Karl Jensen and Craig Moore joined an exclusive group of 28 other people who have attained this milestone.

198 ultramarathon runners started the “Race Across the North Shore” at 6:00am, just above Horseshoe Bay. The goal for most was to reach the finish line, 30 miles later in Deep Cove, within the 10-hour race limit. 188 of the runners achieved their goal on this day, making for a finishing rate of 95% percent – just above the historical average of 93.3%. 77 of the finishers this year were first-timers.

Following are top finishers from all divisions:

Complete results are available at Knee Knacker 2009 Results.

Proceeds from the race benefit North Shore Rescue Team. The event has raised over $48,000 for Lower Mainland charities.

Kelsy Trigg, Race Director Tel: 604-787-8097 e-mail: rd@kneeknacker.com