The Story
This year marks the 27th annual Run Inn the Woods. Since the inaugural run in 1998, our event has raised over $326,659 in donations. It is the longest running, independently managed, community-based fundraising event for the BC Cancer Foundation. We are so proud of what we have achieved. Many of you are familiar with the story. Run Inn the Woods started as a memorial run for our good friend Barry Allcock who passed away in 1997 after a long battle with cancer. Barry loved to run but more importantly, he loved to run while in the company of good friends. It is in this spirit that we remember and celebrate with Run Inn the Woods. Over the years the Run Inn has lost other friends to cancer. Friends who shared the same spirit as Barry. With fond memories we remember Carrie Beaman (2002), Mike Holyk (2012), Scott Jackson (2015), Devi Ralla (2017), Jane Kirkham (2019) and Ann Miller (2024). We invite you to come out and share in the spirit of running with family and friends.
Visit us in store or donate and register here.
The Runinn's very own elite running athlete, Thomas Nobbs, overcame Covid and achieved his best performance by winning the men's category at the 34th Times Colonist 10K, completing the race in a remarkable 29 minutes and 43 seconds!
On a beautiful spring day in Victoria, BC, participants enjoyed the challenging course that offered breathtaking ocean views and diverse terrain.
Tom's success is a testament to his unwavering commitment to training and his ability to perform exceptionally well under pressure. When asked about his victory, Tom expressed his joy for being able to run again, and how the intimate crowd made the event even more enjoyable.
The 2023 Times Colonist 10K was a great success, and Tom's achievement was definitely a highlight of the day. As an athlete, coach, and mentor to many, Tom represents The Runinn and Mizuno Running with pride.
Throughout August, I have managed small injuries. However, getting injured, recovering and then preparing both physically and psychologically for the biggest meet of my career to date all within a month was a daunting and stressful experience.
On July 12, I was competing in Decathlon at the BC Jamboree Provincial Track and Field meet in Kamloops. During the Pole Vault event, on my approach I was not in the right position as a result I was not able to generate the energy required though the pole to execute a proper jump.
As a result I landed short and hit the ground instead of the pit. I quickly realized I had strained my left shoulder. I obtained physiotherapy treatment and started my rehabilitation program.
On August 5, I started my final Decathlon of the season at the Legion National Track and Field competition in Quebec. I was feeling physically prepared for the event however I was not feeling confident specifically in my vaulting ability.
I feel to truly understand the pole vault event you have to do it; a vaulter may have the skill and physical ability to vault but to be successful, you have to be able to fully trust in yourself, your equipment and the conditions in which you are vaulting in.
Despite my doubts, I thought I would have a successful showing at the event. My goal was to break 7000 points which would break my own national record which I obtained earlier this year. After my day one I had earned a personal best score with 3700 points. I also jumped a personal best in long jump with a jump of 7.04m.
The second day started with hurdles which is usually my second best event. I had a really good start however I clipped the 7th hurdle with my left foot. This caused my to break stride and stumble through my 8th hurdle pushing it with my hands which is an immediate disqualification. As result I lost a potential 900 points and I found myself in 4th losing a comfortable 1st place lead.
I was devastated realizing that not only would I miss my record attempt but also potentially lose the gold medal. I had to put the DQ behind and focus on what I could control, so i put my discus shoes on and kept moving forward. I knew I had to have a good showing and I ended up breaking the meet rocked with my 3rd throw! This performance enabled me to stay in the hunt for the gold medal.
My 3rd event was Pole Vault. During my warm up I notice the trust and confidence in my abilities was lacking. I did not have a good warm up. I then had to wait in the 32 degree heat for 3 hours for the bar to get to my starting height. I was allowed 2 more warm up jumps and I was feeling even less confident. I quickly realized although I had the physical ability. My lack in trust did not allow me to tap into my potential. I ended up with the meet record but if had I jumped to my potential, my performance would have placed me back in first with a 100 point lead, which is significant at this stage in the competition.
For javelin, I found myself in a familiar position having to refocus my efforts and I was able to bounce back with a huge personal best on 52.70m. This record is 6m over my personal best. This kept me in the hunt for the gold. However the final event was my weakest and my competitor’s strongest. I tried to stay with him but I was unable to keep up., I think due to the exhaustion from the ups and downs of the day. I ended up coming 2nd in the Decathlon after scoring in only 9 of 10 events!
My final meet was the in Ontario at the U25 Canadian Summer Games. I was competing in the 4x100m and Pole Vault. I had a couple of practices leading up to the games which were not productive and my confidence was at its lowest. I talked to a couple of my performance coaches who helped me gain some perspective but there was not enough time for me to process or gain confidence with more practice. The day before I vaulted I competed with the 4x100m team in the final where we won 2nd place. It was an amazing experience to compete with such a young team and have such an amazing showing. It was a boost in confidence and joy for me.
The next day I competed in the Pole Vault. I was feeling slightly more confident but I was not there yet. I jumped 4:35m whereas earlier in the year I jumped a record 4.85m. I was relieved it was over. I needed a physical and mental break however I was not finished for pole vault and this makes me hungry for the upcoming season.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me this season. Overall this year has been an amazing experience.
Adversity; I faced it, I showed courage, and I accepted it.
Written by Aidan
Aidan is a track and field athlete competing in Decathlon and currently holds the U18 BC Decathlon record. He's been a member of The Runinn staff since late 2019 and is a wealth of knowledge for athletes of all abilities.
Written By Hilary Spires
I have worn Mizuno Rider road shoes for years now, so I was so excited to learn they now have a version that is perfect for the trails!
I took them for a test while on a trip to England, and they were the perfect shoe to go from roads to foot paths through long hilly fields with the occasionally moderately technical bits. I was pleasantly surprised with the grip from the 5mm outsole lugs!
They fit true to size as the road version, but they did take a little longer to break in. They have added more durability to the toe box so it did feel more snug for the first few runs, but I would say after 30km they felt like my worn in wave rider road shoes.
By the end of the week I was comfortably wearing them for 40+ km runs in a mix of weather and terrain.
These are the perfect shoes to run roads to and from Fred Gingell, and have enough grip to rip a few laps of the stairs rain or shine.
They are perfect for the fields in Boundary Bay and then to hit the road back through the Southlands.
If you find yourself exploring out to the Watershed Park in Delta these are your shoe!
Pick up your pair of Mizuno Rider TT's at The Runinn today.
Written by Hilary Spires
@hilsport55
Follow The Runinn on Social!
@runinnstores
Recap written by Heather Findlay
A beautiful course through one of Washingtons most scenic trails. We Runners were blessed with a gentle downhill course and the first ~2miles within the Snoqualmie tunnel - a slightly eerie experience as the darkness of the tunnel swallows you up upon entry. The perk? It’s cool and damp… if only that lasted the full marathon!
Missing the cool temps of the tunnel we enjoyed truly breathtaking views of the old railroad trail crossing over train trestles and flanked by aspen and pine trees and the odd babbling brook.
Pro tip - quick 30 seconds to utilize the brook as a natural ice pack does wonders mid run.
The runners may have dubbed the race as Dante’s inferno but it couldn’t stop the smiling faces and determination of the Runinn family in crushing their race goals! We had several repeat marathoners/half marathoners along with several marathon first timers!!
A unique race trail experience and unforgettable heat wave but the most memorable part? The support of the Runinn family - nothing beats the roaring cheers as you cross the finish line, the sweaty hugs and embraces, and of course the well deserved group dinner and celebration that ensued.
A huge congratulations to all of our Jack & Jill runners, for crushing your goals, keeping a positive mindset and supporting your teammates through 🏃🏼♀️🏁
What a stunning and terrible course! As a fun way to mix things up, it starts up a mountain and ends on a long uphill. And when you think you’re up, they point you back down just to go back up again. 8635 feet (2600 meters) of climbing in 50km is .. something.
We are so lucky to have a local race that can run up to a snowy peak and back down sea level and back up again through the prettiest and gnarliest trails. As always the Coast Mountain Trail Running races are so well put on and Ty Holtan pics are the best!
I’m LOVING having Baker at the finish line and he’s loving the post race chips!!
Written by Hilary Spires
Follow her on Instagram @hilsport55
Follow the Runinn on Instagram @runinnstores
In 2002 I ran my first of 20 marathons. For a decade I was privileged to lead (with remarkable leaders) the marathon clinic at the RunInn (Kerrisdale) and help many amazing people fulfill their goals and check something off their bucket list. It seems like yesterday when I turned 50 (2012) and committed to running 5 marathons that year (Birch Bay, Eugene, Edmonton, Surrey, Honolulu). Towards the end of that year someone said to me, “what are you going to do when you turn 60, run 6 marathons?” I laughed it off as a decision I wouldn’t have to make for another decade. And here we are. 2022.
As runners, we all know the value of setting goals and working towards them. Only set goals get accomplished. They are the bedrock of motivation and the catalyst of determination. As Fred DeVito has said, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” So, with my diamond jubilee birthday (2022) fast approaching, I set my sights on a goal. With my recent (2019) diagnosis of multiple myeloma- incurable blood cancer, and ongoing chemotherapy and other treatments, I knew the grind of the marathon, let alone six of them (253.2km!) would be too demanding. But what about running half marathons (easier on the body)? What about running the equivalent distance (253.2km) in the year but spread out over more races? And so my thinking went- maybe I could do twelve half marathons?
In 2019 I was told not to run for the foreseeable future since the myeloma is notorious for thinning/hollowing out the bones from inside (it’s a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow) creating a challenging/dangerous risk of broken bones, among other things. After several rounds of treatment and chemotherapy I was given the green light to return to some light jogging and eventually running (though these days it can be a torturous combination of jog/walk/limp but it’s at least moving forward!).
“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.”
– John Bingham
Just run. In the face of cancer, chemotherapy, treatments, fatigue and pain, my goal has been to “just run” or walk, crawl, jog to the finish. It’s just fantastic to be among runners and experience the nervous energy of the challenge. I’m not focused on the clock, I’m focused on crossing the start line because when that happens the rest is the adventure of the race/journey and the finish is inevitable.
The first time I was able to ‘run’ after many days/weeks/months of uncertainty, felt like a blissful engagement with a familiar friend. It was so good, so nourishing and re-creational to run again—the trail, the muscles, the sun, the sweat the tears…it was all so wonderful!! I began mapping out which races to include in my ‘12 for 60’, seeking to do one per month- more or less, and getting a jump on the race registrations.
Fortunately I have a wife who likes to run (or fakes it well) and has/will run most races with me. Kay is a source of encouragement and support who’s willingness to participate in this crazy challenge has been beyond amazing an indispensable comfort. Once registered and paid, the challenge was/is on! If you’re interested in following the progress, or just seeing the line up of races, the list is below. If you’re interested in learning more about multiple myeloma, please visit www.myeloma.ca
I encourage you to set your goals, pick a race, choose a workout, then lace up your shoes (purchased at the RunInn) and watch the transformation occur!
Never underestimate the power that one good workout can have on your mind.
Keeping the dream alive is half the battle.” –
– Kara Goucher
Phil's Marathon Schedule
Chilly Chase in Vancouver- a cold day and flat run, on January 23.
FirstHalf (virtual) on February 13 - done in South Surrey/White Rock.
Shamrock ‘n Race March 13 - flat course Burnaby Lakes, felt awful that day.
BMO Half on May 1- big race, amazing route, thanks for cheering Kev!
Whistler Half on June 4, awesome mostly trails.
Vancouver Half July 26 - hot, hot, hot!
Fort Langley Half (virtual) on July 9
Handloggers Half (Bowen Island) on September 3
Bellingham Bay Half on September 25
Royal Victoria Half on October 9
Boundary Bay Half November 6
Vancouver Historic Half on November 27
SOTF is a grueling trail race in Squamish BC put on by Coast Mountain Trail Races. It’s 18km of technical trails with 1050meters / 3400 feet of climbing and descending. There are no flat steps in this race, you’re either going up or down, and it hurts the whole way. This race always gets some of the best local trail runners out for a season opener, and this year didn’t disappoint. 18km sounds long, but compared to my usual ultra distances of 50km – 100miles it’s basically a sprint.
This was my first race back to the trails after BMO marathon only a month ago, and I had no idea if my climbing legs would be back. As it turns out, the answer was no, flat road running does not equate to strong climbing!
My goal for this race was just to see where I’m at and enjoy the party. It was also my son’s trail racing debut so that was my focus! He is 2.5 years old and ran the 1km rids race. He giggled the whole time and ran the whole thing. There were some big kids in the race but he came first in the 2 year old division!
Celebrate the summer solstice by participating in a 5km run or walk, followed by food and entertainment for the whole family on the grounds surrounding the Delta Police Station. Come out to celebrate summer in our great community while supporting The Delta Police Foundation and their efforts to make our home even better!
We have a fantastic race package planned for you. Including a custom Brooks Running Cap* - featuring a design by local Tsawwassen First Nations artist Karl Morgan - a water bottle, plus loads of goodies from our race sponsors.
Visit the Event Page to sign up!
