Al Harman lies down on a blanket closes his eyes and breathes deeply.
He is covered in perspiration, his hair is messy and his eyes are slightly bloodshot.
It's 5 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 8), and it looks like he hasn't slept in over 24 hours. That's because he hasn't - Harman just completed the 100-mile STORMY ultra marathon trail race in 30:42:20, and he seems happy to be finished.
"I actually feel pretty good aside from the fact that my feet are killing me," Harman says.
The West Vancouver native's time was good for 14th place. It's his fourth 100-miler and he says he loves STORMY because afterwards, he can drive home and sleep for as long as he wants in his own bed.
This year's race saw 14 men and one woman finish the 100-mile run. Harman was the last person to cross the line - seven others started but never finished the grueling the race.
Jason Loutitt posted the fastest time at 19:11:40, and was the only 麻豆社国产resident to finish. It was his first time running more than 50 miles, and he said he found it challenging, to say the least.
"Although your body and mind go through the motions and the notions of quitting, the pain and attaching to a will to go on; when you are out there so long you find out what you're made of," he said.
"The toughest was basically just trying to live while your doing your job. Living is hydrating, eating and of course washroom breaks. At one point I was wiping with leaves and realized after starting to run again that those weren't leaves but a branch of pine needles. Yeah, pine oil and chaffing make for a very low point."
Randy Duncan finished in 26:43:17, and four hours later, was still feeling the effects from the race.
"I was pretty wiped out at the end," said the Victoria native, who finished ninth. "I've had a few injury issues but earlier today I told myself there was no way I'm not finishing this one."
The experience of running alone at night during the STORMY was an interesting one for Duncan, who said he enjoyed the calm dead of night.
"I actually really like running at night," he said. "I know some people get freaked out but I find it calming."
Harman agreed with his fellow 100-miler.
"I love it," he said of running at night. "It takes a while to get used to and you have to slow down a little bit because things come up quicker."
Loutitt said running at night was unlike anything he has ever done.
"Running down some of the most technical trails [Pseudo Pseuga, Powerhouse Plunge] in the middle of a dark night holding a headlamp after running for over 12 hours, there isn't too much out there that comes close to the transformative power of not tripping," he said.
The second portion of the race, the 50-miler, was better populated with 43 people finishing.
First place ended up being tied between Surrey's Darin Bentley and Hozumi Nakai of Vancouver, who both crossed the line at 7:24:07. Jamie Pierotti was the top 麻豆社国产runner with a time of 8:50:47, good for seventh place.
The relay portion of the 50-mile race involved 26 teams of five runners miles. The Trail Mix team posted the top time, completing the course in 6:47:48.
Harman praised the work of the STORMY team and the way the race was put together.
"The organization of the entire race was excellent," he said. "The people at the aid stations were phenomenal and it was a really enjoyable experience."
Loutitt echoed Harman's statements.
"From Wendy and the race organizers to the volunteers out there at the aid stations that stayed busy handing out Vaseline, water and food; all were simply were outstanding. I now know the trails of 麻豆社国产and the ones who use and support our trails are blessings."
Duncan also enjoyed the race but said he will likely switch it up next year.
"This was my first time here and I liked it but I think I'll try the 50-miler next year," he said. "There are so many races out there that I don't like to do the same race twice."
For a full list of results from the race, visit www.stormytrailrace.ca.
