ACT I – Genesis I suppose it was inevitable that one of these days somebody would ask me to put my money where my mouth was – so to speak. After all I had been extolling the virtues and pleasures of cross-country running to all who would listen and of course to many who wouldn’t. Anyway at our last YMCA brunch our future president showed that he had the right stuff when he swiftly delegated me to organize the first CRR X-C race. Oh my God what had I done? It’s so easy to suggest things and even easier to front up at all our races and they are so well organized – someone must do the work, but where do I start?

ACT II – Looking for a Course Like many folk who prefer not to ask for help until just before panic sets in I tried to calm my fears by going for a run. It was no surprise really that on one of my long, solo, early morning runs through Nose Hill Park (NHP) that it dawned on me that NHP had most if not all of the features necessary to stage a first class X-C race. Now could I figure out a route which was interesting, variable and yet a challenge to both the neophyte and veteran X-C runner? It seems that so many of my own solo runs (you know the type, “let’s go this way and see where it goes”) turn out to be survival courses and that’s not the way to entice runners into the realm of real running is it? Given Calgary’s somewhat variable weather the route finding was to say the least quite interesting what with dry conditions one week and tons of snow, water and mud the next. How many early morning trials did I do amid the snow, hooting and hollering as I slid uncontrollably down the other side of the Wee Hill often to be stopped instantly when a leg disappeared up to my armpit in some rotten hole in the snow? A quick check, nothing broken, everything works, maybe these shorts are not such a good idea tho’ – och well on we go it’ll soon warm up. NHP is a natural wonderland – it has eagles, hawks, lots of assorted wee birds, deer, gophers, badgers, rabbits, weasels and coyotes to name but a few.

Act III – Panic (mid-June) The Jasper-Banff has come and gone and so, so satisfyingly, but I haven’t run my chosen route for a couple of weeks. I run it again, and again and again – indecision (read panic) sets in! It’s too easy – no it’s too hard – or is it – well … ? I need help, my visions are crumbling, have I lost my objectivity – did I ever have any? Please God … !!

Act IV – The Gods Answer My Pleas – I think! (last week of June) Enter Roger Wheate, Good God I know I asked for help but this lad’s as crazy as I am regarding X-C, no worse – he won’t even walk on asphalt. Oh well no man is an island. We got off to a great start – I arrived at NHP one Thursday morning at 06:20, you know ten minutes early so all the stretching could be done before Roger appeared but he didn’t get out of bed until 06:45. He did eventually arrive (06:55) and immediately set off at an incredible pace to catch the only runner he could see, unfortunately I’d gone the other way! Many talk-on-the-run sessions later Roger convinced me that the stretch through the trees parallel to Porcupine Gully was too overgrown with grass to be race safe. Maybe it was a sign from above that tackling the Wee Hill twice in their first X-C would not enamour beginners to running naturel.

Fortunately I had had the sense to discuss the overall logistics with Hein early on and even as I ran all over NHP plotting and planning many people were playing their parts quietly and efficiently. X-C is not everybody’s cup of tea and I do admit that the only time I may fear for my very life when racing is in X-C.

There probably won’t be a massive turn-out so I must plan accordingly. How many do you reckon Hein – a dozen, twenty, fifty a hundred?? Oh to heck if we get 30 or 40 I’ll consider it a success. What about entry fee, prizes, etc.? Let’s keep it simple, economic and memorable. O.K. so no trophies, medals or T- shirts – a trophy for the inaugural NHP X-C would be super tho’ – maybe next year and we’ll engrave this year’s winner as well. Resolution – keep the entry fee as low as possible and (yet mindful of many wonderful memories of post (X-C) race tucker in Scotland & Australia) let’s feed the weekend warriors as well as we can.

Act V – Race Day (June 28, 1986) Race day is upon us – I’ve prayed to every weather God I can find and I wonder if sticking to the traditional Saturday afternoon race time will work out? The course has to be marked and I promised everybody that no matter what else, they would get a well-marked (hopefully foolproof) course. Do you think we should put more flags in Roger? “Good heavens Dave if you put in any more, folk will think they’re running in the finishing chute the whole ten km.” We were like a couple of bairns (kids) at their first party as we laid out the course – it really was great fun and a pleasure to be putting something, however small, back into running. Inspiration by Roger when he suggested we erect some humorous signs around the course – after all we already had names for most of the main features on the course and who says you can’t smile as you run. As a matter of interest Dave why do you call it the Wee Hill?

It’s quite simple really if I named it what it deserves to be called I’d probably be too scared to run it!!

Act VI – Let the Race Begin The weather was perfect, the flags, tape, signs, St. John Ambulance personnel and Roger the HARE were in position. The food and drink had arrived and lots of it, together with our little secret – “NHP X-C ‘86” running vests thanks to Linda [Reid of Forzani’s Tech Shop]. I was just a little nervous – ha, ha!!

Absolutely delighted that John [Tolton 34:00, fifth overall in Airdrie 10K] and Ron [Everard, 37:09] would run our X-C after running the Airdrie Echo 10 km just a few hours ago and especially on remembering Ron’s remark after I’d introduced him to the joys of NHP – “You mean you do this for fun??” As a non-participant I will leave the race description to those better qualified than I but if those 37 (40 paid) hardy souls enjoyed themselves even a little then it was due in large part to – Hein [de Vries], Marg [Carleton], Roger [Wheate], Roy [Palmer], Jim, Bob [Dumalanede], Vittorio [Panei], Linda [Reid] and Gord [Hobbins, then of the Running Room]. Thanks a million, you’re the salt of the earth.

Act VII – The Ultimate Compliment He staggered over the finish line bug eyed, sweat stained, spit ridden with white drawn fatigued face and wracking breaths – “God Dave that’s a great course.”