The Creemore Horizontal 100 Mile

by Pierre Marcoux

The Creemore Horizontal 100 mile race evolved due to some unusual circumstances.  Monica Scholz decided that in 2010, she would break her own world record, for the most 100 mile races in a calendar year.  The call went out that Monica was looking for a 100 mile race in late November, preferably close to home.  It seemed a relatively simple mandate:  Organize a 100 mile race on November 27/28, somewhere in Ontario.  If you want to brighten the day of a city official, ask if you can run a 5 to 10 kilometer route through their city, for 30 hours.

After much fruitless searching, it became apparent that the simplest solution would be to host it from home.  The course had to be relatively easy, long enough not to be too boring, yet supported by only 2 aid stations.  The 10.6K course boasts a mix of roads with little traffic and trail that is predominantly downhill.  The race would start with a 2.6K spur followed by running the course 15 times.

The idea of having a cap was laughable.  We are talking about running 100 miles, north of Toronto, in late November.  I fully expected a field of less than 10 people.  For a joke, the race was capped at 30.  3 weeks after posting the race, the cap was reached and a waiting list sported 4 people.

To keep things interesting, the day before the race, news reports were warning of a winter storm, with gale force arctic winds and a foot of snow.  Most volunteers would be driving 1 – 2 hours early in the morning to make it in time for the 06:00 start, unless they listened to the weather forecast.  Spending 30 hours in a foot of snow with a strong arctic wind was not my idea of a pleasant weekend.  Running 100 miles in snow is not at the top of my list either!

To put it mildly, we lucked out.  23 runners started the race in strong winds, but with only 2 inches of snow on the ground and a few flurries in the air.  As Saturday progressed, the wind died down and the sun made an appearance.  Clouds rolled in near sundown and the night was reasonably calm.  Aside from icy trails, conditions were favourable for running.  With temperatures a few degrees below freezing, running was a better option than walking.  12 runners made it to the finish line.  Given that 6 runners had not intended on running the full 100 miles, the results were quite impressive.

It is difficult to describe how much effort is put into running a hundred mile race.  Each racer spends days preparing for the race, then days running the race.  To undertake the training alone is in itself, an achievement.  Simply supporting one 100M race left me exhausted.  Imagine running 25 races during the course of a year!  Monica Scholz was quick to point out that the CH 100M was an “easy” race for her.  No air travel, car rental, hotel booking, driving in some obscure area of North America, missed flight connection, or getting locked out of her hotel at 04:30 in the morning…  Simply a relaxing 90 minute drive and she was at the race site.  On Friday evening, she regaled us with what could only be described as travelling horror stories.  As the race progressed, I kept thinking “this is an easy race?” and could only shake my head at what Monica has endured this last year.  Monica was first woman, with a time of 24:54.  Keegan MacKenzie (25:05) and Jocelyn Briggs (25:58) rounded out the top three.

Ken Moon, who won the CH 100M (and the Ontario Ultra Series) was a man on a mission.  Ken is a neighbor, as Everett is only 15K down the road from Creemore.  He too “had it easy” with travelling arrangements, but whether that was the reason or simply the training he has undertaken this year, Ken set an unmatchable pace and never seemed to falter.  On a course that is tricky to run in under 1:10 during summer conditions, Ken ran 100 miles in 20:09.  His first 5 loops of 10.6K were completed in an average of 1:15.  Steve Beach (21:58) and Rob Gryfe (22:53) completed the men’s podium.

At several points, the volunteers out-numbered the runners!  This would be unusual in summer, up in Creemore, but think about this.  When the volunteers were making ready to travel to Creemore, the forecast was calling for gale force arctic winds and a foot of snow!  John Rennison captained the 5K aid station, John Turner captained the S/F AS.  Maryka and her pals stayed all night. JD Begin not only volunteered, but paced Stephan Miklos when it was most needed.  Stephan looked like he might turn left into the cemetery at one point!  Kinga Miklos, who after fighting through 87.2K with a bout of bronchitis, was key as a direct handler for every runner who finished yet another loop.  Josh’s “Bus Grilled Cheese Team” was indispensable!  Josh ran 100 miles, but also came equipped with a pacer and 3 volunteers.  The 5 showed up in a bus with a woodstove (I was very jealous) and made grilled cheese sandwiches for about 20 hours.  Lee Anne Cohen ran 100K, then spent early Sunday morning at the 5K aid station.

A few quotes need mention!  “I’m not going any further because the sun didn’t come up this morning”.  I think it was Alan, who DNF’d after 13 loops at 05:06 Sunday morning.  His quote made us realize that perhaps he should not continue running!  “How could you possibly conceive that this (course) is remotely horizontal?  Do you – oh never mind”.  Stephan Miklos, after circa 13 loops, during a bad stretch.  I don’t recall the exact quote (my sleep deprivation) but he cut his complaint short when he realized who he was talking to!  Stephan ran on icy trails in below freezing conditions for 26:34.  JD Begin later came up with a plausible reason for the “Horizontal” moniker.  Volunteers and runners (as they finished) were getting “horizontal” everywhere.  In the aid station (garage), pottery studio, tree house and all over the floor in the house!   “I thought it was attacking me”.  Steve Beach, remarking on a multi-coloured rat that ran across the road towards him.  It was witnessed by many other runners.  I would have set this down to a mass hallucination, but while pacing Lee Anne at 20:00 Saturday, I actually saw a white rat with an orange patch on its back.  I think it was a pet, near the cemetery…  “Get out of my aid station”.  John Rennison, heard by all runners who lingered at the 5K AS.

The race also had quite a few high points.  Setting the world record for number of 100 mile races in a year (25 – Monica)!  Gerry and Cheryl getting engaged!  Gerry was phoned by his doctor on the way up to the race.  He underwent stress tests recently due to a heart related incident at the Horror Hill race.  The results came back and the doctor was adamant that Gerry should see her immediately.  Gerry replied that he was out of town and ran 53K instead.  Don’t bother answering this question, but do runners ever listen to anybody?  23 people started and 12 people completed 100 miles in Creemore in late November (I still have trouble with this one).  The severe weather warning actually helped the race.  A big concern was hypothermic sleep deprived runners staggering through Creemore and on Airport road.  Due to the weather warning, traffic was light both in Creemore and along Airport road.  The rumour that I bribed the weather bureau is completely untrue…

I would like to thank Bernadette Kennedy, race director extraordinaire!  Sharon Zelinski, who stepped in whenever Bernadette and I were floundering and provided clear, precise guidance.  Stuart Lombard, who graciously allowed 23 runners plus pacers to use his trail for up to 30 hours.

An amazing endeavor!