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Victorio
Hawkins (left), Alfred Patrick and John Lum Young.
By
JC Williams
Three Trinidadian long distance runners are about to embark
on what is called the ‘Tour de France’ of Running.
The ENDURrun in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
From Sunday August 10-17th, over eight days, the 6-year
old event tests runners over varying distances and terrain.
The three locals taking part for the first time are, Victorio
Hawkins, Alfred Patrick and John Lum Young of the T&T
Road Runners Club. They are the only foreigners among the
30 entrants, all others being North Americans.
The prizes are not great, Can $750 being the 1st prize for
the Overall Male & Female finishers. The winner of each
stage wins a GOLD jersey to wear for the following stage.
Overall Male & Female winners have their names engraved
onto the Endurrun Trophy.
In 2007, just 11 runners completed the gruelling seven stages.
The Ultimate Male winner was Jon Belanger, 23, of Guelph,
Canada. His cumulative time was 11:25:17.
The Ultimate Female winner was April Boultbee, 35, of Toronto.
Her time, 12:12:03.
With her identical twin sister, Melanie just 34 seconds
behind, they brought the female finishers to three.
The format and organisation however, appear to be 5-star.
The schedule of runs is: 21K, 15K, 30K, 16K, Rest Day, 25K,
10K and 42 K.
The terrain encompasses paved roads alongside the Conestogo
River, wood chipped paths, forest trails, rapid successions
of hills, flat countryside paths between Mennonite farms
and demanding hills in the Chicopee Ski Resort surrounded
by alpine scenery.
Great athlete camaraderie, re-fuelling stations, massages
from qualified practitioners and sumptious after-race food
buffets are some of the attractions.
Lum Young and Patrick enjoy running marathons in different
countries.
Together, the trio have completed 4 Marathons outside of
T&T, since 2006.
Marathon of the Palm Beaches, over 2 days, in Florida (Dec
2006), Houston (Dec 2007), and the Boston Marathon in April
2008.
To successfully run and complete 100 miles, back-to-back,
supreme mental and physical condition is a pre-requisite.
The TT team, which is un-sponsored, and paying its own way
is clearly interested in non-material rewards. Fortunately,
apartment accommodation is provided at the University of
Waterloo, at reasonable prices.
Hawkins did write to the Ministry of Sport, for sponsorship,
but did not receive a reply.
While the focus is on endurance and finishing, personal
bests are often achieved.
Endurance Training creates the physical foundation, upon
which strength and speed can be built. Endurance is slow
to build, and happily, slow to erode.
The physiological changes which occur via endurance training
are long-lasting.
Hawkins also spoke to Arena about the “runner’s
high”. While running long distances :”We consume
so much oxygen, that after some time, nothing is like it….after
a while…we crave an oxygen fix.”
So how did the three train for the Endurrun?
Patrick lives in the West, and trains alone. He added Hill
Training to his regular routine. Lum Young did alot of cycling,
recently competing in the NGC 100-mile Charity ride. Hawkins
trained at the Mount St. Benedict, and in the Maracas Valley
up to Lluango early mornings. All three added more carbohydrates
to their diets.
“Recovery
will be crucial”, explained Lum Young, who will be
taking complex carbohydrates to enable his muscles to handle
all 7 stages.
While the Trinidadians are notably the oldest runners in
Endurrun 2008 and did not receive any official sponsorship
or support, they have apparel in the national colours from
their club.
Family members also have national flags to cheer them on.
Realising personal dreams, and promoting T&T positively.
It’s not Beijing, or the Olympics. But for these runners,
it could as well be.
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