The 2018 event took place on Saturday July 7. It was a perfect summer day, sunny and temps around 60 to start, warming up as the day went on. There were 3 events; 56k started at 8 AM, the 28k at 8:20 and waves of the 14k at 8:40. One loop of the course is 14k.

Registration: Available online starting near $80 Canadian, and the price tier increased based on number of registrants. Race day registration for around $100. Included with registration was a short sleeve, gender specific cotton shirt, each race had a different color with the same logo. The back of the bib had a timing strip.

Packet Pick Up /Expo: There was no expo. You could pick up your bib the morning of the race only.

The Limberlost area offered camping the evening before the event.

Pre-race: Participants were encouraged to carpool as the grass parking is crammed. Lots of port-o-potties on site with hand washing stations. There is a "meeting" before the race.

Race / Course: looped trail around the Limberlost Reserve.
-Elevation: Constantly going up or down, for 3 loops a total elevation gain of 3,507 according to my watch
-Terrain: Trail which included a short gravel section, spongy wooded areas, tree roots, mud, boulders, grass and boardwalk. Lots of single track, some areas were crowded for passing.
-Scenery: GORGEOUS!!!!! The majority of the race is on wooded trail around lakes. Each loop appeared to look different with the changing sunlight
-Aid Stations: There were 2 stations on the course and a stop at the start/finish line. Each stop had water and Heed.There were a variety of snacks including watermelon, cookies, pretzels and bowls of salt! There were lots of energetic volunteers at all the stops.
-Course Markings: Each kn was marked with a sign and the course was marked with orange flags in the ground. As the day went you foot traffic made the trail obvious.
-Volunteers: They were at the aid stations, no need for them on other parts of the course.
-There were port - o- potties at the aid stations.
-Spectators: they were in the form of other participants and volunteers as the reserve is remote.
-Photography: There was a photographer on the course in one spot, but had to pass through at the time they were set up.

Finish / post race: After being welcomed to the finish line, a volunteer placed a medal around your neck. The finish area food was under a big tent, there was a buffet of homemade salads, apples, chicken on the grill, bread and a tub of cold water and soft drinks. There were tables and places to sit and enjoy your food and watch people finish. If you wanted you could walk over to the lake and jump in.

Overall: Great trail race!! The price is awesome if you convert to US dollars. This is not a beginner trail event, the views are awesome. The only issue I have is having the speedy runners start later, making it hard to run the trails because they needed to pass. I enjoyed the race and would add it to your list.

My race: Where do I begin? I am not a new trail runner, I am maybe an inexperienced trail runner. The trails I have in my area do not compare to what I ran during this event. I was nervous headed into this one, I was attempting to run my longest event yet, a 56k. After experiencing a near anxiety attack on the first loop with the unfamiliarity of the terrain and the "worry" about the faster runners who started after me trying to pass me, II wanted to quit after the second loop. As luck would have it and in most trail events, I ended up chatting with someone on course and I was starting to feel better about myself and started to enjoy it. I then was up against the time. I needed to be done with my 3rd loop by 3:30 pm. I had done the math and was watching my watch after each loop, I was getting slower, and when I started the 3rd loop, I knew there was no way I would be able to start the 4th loop.

I ended up hanging with some other women for the majority of my 3rd loop, who were also up against the clock. They were optimistic, and I just didn't want to be too far alone out there. I made sure to take pictures and just take it all in, every muddy hole, every steep climb and all the views of the lake.

Each kilometer started to feel longer, but another guy and I passed the women and we went ahead and started to chat. Seriously trails are the best, the community is just awesome. Then just like that is was time to run the last kilometer - the longest one ever!!! I even did some actual running too.

When the lady at the finish line put the medal around my neck, I made sure to tell her I did not complete my race. I set out for 56k and only completed 42 - a marathon distance. The woman didn't care and made sure I kept my medal. Also, the shorter distance races received the same medal, so I didn't feel too guilty.

So yes, I DNF'd. However, I am not pouting, I am proud. I wanted to quit and I didn't. I forged on and did what I could. I am disappointed that I did not get all 4 loops, but sometimes it's more about the journey itself than the finish line.