Perseverence Run-------- Cumberland

cumberland is like north shore is to vancouver as far as mountain biking and hiking. bikers of all ages are everywhere in cumberland which is keeping its laid back appearance alive with older buidings from their coal mining days

The Perseverance run was just that,with breathtaking scenery and unforgettable views. And pristine single track, winding cross-country trails and twisting forest paths , Although the first part of the run took us to the top of perseverance or coal creek which is a deep washed out gully where you can see the creek below you as you run along the bank which was scenic put you didnt want to slip or trip here it was aways down. Most of the single trails where well worn by the steady traffic of mountain bikers who must be spoiled rotten with the miles of biking trails that they have here, lots of times we ran into puddles which covered the trail and at first I spend some time trying not to get my feet  wet put once we where past the half way mark with some steep down hills where you had your toes digging your toes into the dirt to stop you from diving down a steep drop but you always had a little outcrop to stop you from getting hurled down.

Once Past some of these down hills I  stopped trying to keep my feet dry and like every one else it didnt take long and the puddles seemed like lakes and you where sloshing through them like a young kid having fun not caring how wet you got. Some names of the trails whe ran on were--off broadway--- spanged --Buggered pig-- Bear buns-  Sykes bridge--Two and a juice,  they are just as wicked to run on as they are to ride your mountain bike on.

The race started with every one walking from the community centre to yellow gate the start of the trails and the run. Starting at a bit of an incline every one was huddled up in a group must have been over 200 entrants. The gun sounded and we are of I started in the centre of the group and with running up a incline it didn't take long for the group to thin out and we where split up in a fast group and not so fast groups . I was running with the not so fast group and after a k.m we had to make a left turn to head into a single track , here we where treated to the start off some of the best bike trails of Cumberland , twisting and roots and puddles, trying to slow you down with the odd log or stump you had to maneuver over and around  coming out of the first trail and back on logging road our group had thinned out and by this time there where only 5in our group  pacing each other, leap frogging past each other trying not to stay behind some one when they slowed down, running along narrow trails you some time get trapped behind some one before you can find a place to pass , being in the lead of the pack you not only have to watch the trail but also be on the look out for the red ribbons marking the trail and some time you wondered if you were on the right trail, then you would finally see  a trail Marshall and  some time asking the marshall for this way or that way,with a sigh of relieve you would keep going awaiting the next trail challenge a puddle , roots our a big drop,Forever having to adjust my classes with each bounce they seemed to jump forward to the tip off my nose,  you wonder how do they get down those steep drops so fast while your trying to find something to hold on to on the way down. At times you get a rest when you game to a steep climb you knew every would slow down and you could get your breath back and  a bit of a rest,  readying you for the challenge through Cumberland twisted trails.