Aid Station: Eugene Curnow

Volunteerism is a big part of ultrarunning. I look forward to volunteer at races as much as I look forward to running them. The races would not go on if we didn't have volunteers to take care of the runners.

A few months ago I cleared my schedule to volunteer to Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (formerly Half Voyager). I've run the race many times, in fact, it was my first trail race many many years ago, back in 2000. I was looking forward to it.

The trail running community is booming!  This is SO good. We need new people to come into the sport, to keep it alive, to keep it breathing. Although I may sometimes complain that the trails are sometimes crowded and that I recall fond memories when only 18 of us finished Superior 100, that doesn't mean that I dislike the growth. I don't. I welcome it and love to guide new trail runners to the best of my ability. I remember what it was like to be new to trails.

There were 429 finishers at Curnow this year!  The race sold out and  I don't think that has ever happened before.

I was assigned to Forbay, Aid Station 7 (out of 8) along the way from  the Duluth Zoo to Carlton. It's a beautiful trail with bridges, powerlines, rivers, grass, dirt, rocks and a whole lot of heat and humidity. There was no rain, little mud. Lots of fun and friends.

Jamison Swift photo




I arrived to Forbay for duty at 745. Jamison was captain, Lisa was medical, Lynnea was assigned to cross guard duty-out in the beating sun. I was under the shaded canopy tending to the supplies. I cut watermelon, bananas and oranges. Filled up potato chip, grape, candies and pretzel bowls. Made sure there was plenty of Coke, 7up, Gingerale poured.

We had cowbells to ring as the runners arrived to our station, lots of hugs, congrats, filling of packs and bottles. Reminding runners to take salt, to eat, to drink. I was shocked that at least a dozen of the runners didn't have a water bottle or hydration vest. They were only drinking at the stations which were spaced out from 2.4 to 5 miles. On this hot day that was just too long to go without water, in my opinion. However, I always seem to error on the side of caution. A few runners sat down under our canopy to get out of the sun. We offered ice for hats, bras and buffs. Nobody dropped at our station (mile 20.5) everyone continued on.

It was so much fun to see so many of the people I love and the new ones that I'm getting to know. It was like one big friend banquet. I had to laugh as I was in the shade sweating to death and as I'd hug a runner friend they'd exclaim 'oh, you are so hot' yeah. I'm hot and sweaty and not running and standing here in the shade. We'd laugh. This must have happened 15 times!  Menopause you know. Hot flash city.

Such a great day, great friends, great fun. Volunteer. Give back to your sport!  You'll love it just as much as I do.

Eugene Curnow - Half Voyaguer

One of my first memories with my ultra running friends is the Half Voyaguer. It’s now named after the past race director: Eugene Curnow. The race is the baby of the Voyaguer 50 mile, a favorite of mine, which is run 2 weeks later.

Because I’ve been rehabbing my foot/knee and whatever other body parts which are angry at me there is no chance I’ll be run running Voyaguer 50 this year but I’m good to run the Half.

Maria and I went out for a 6 hour run two weeks ago-my first run of any sort of this distance since Superior 100 last September!  I really did a number on myself there. Ugh. Anyhow, our run at Afton  was such a wonderful experience!  She’s rehabbing her hamstring, I’m rehabbing foot/knee. We walked, jogged, and ran.  My rehab schedule had 11 minute jog/4 minute walk on the plan which we stuck to pretty well. At the end of our 6 hours I was jubilant. I didn’t hurt. I felt good. Eugene Curnow may be a reality. Why not try it?

We spent the first week of July up at the lake. Had great weather and a great time. I came back into town to deliver Troy so that he could work and then decided to go back up to the cabin to spend a few more days with Steve. I left the lake, spent the night at my Dad’s house and then left for Carlton to the race in the morning.

It was a beautiful warm morning and was going to be a great day. I hadn’t looked online to see who may be running the race so wasn’t sure whom I might see.

I arrived in plenty of time to fill my pack, figure out music, lube my feet, etc. I didn’t recognize anyone so I just climbed onto the bus that would take me to the start.

As I climbed off of the bus I saw Alicia right away. Yay!!  Alicia and I have run a zillion miles together and I just love her. She was one of the those that first ran with me at that first Half Voyaguer so many years ago.

We began the race together and ran together up until the last few miles where she went ahead and finished a few minutes in front of me. What a great 6 hours of fun! We reminisced, we talked of the present, the future, of how much things in ultrarunning had changed and how much we had changed. It was such a great time. Neither my foot nor my knee hurt, I was able to climb through the powerlines without a problem. Such a blessing.

Janet ran with Alicia and I most of the race, too. She wanted to run a PR and said that by hanging with us she would do just that. She did! She ran a great race and finished inbetween Alicia and I.

As we were running along Scott came up on us. Scott!  Scott was also along on that first Half Voyageur so many years ago. I hadn’t seen him in a few years. We caught up a bit and then he left us to bomb on down the hills.

As I came across the finish all I could think about is how blessed I was. Sharing the trail with amazing people, such good friends to me.

I hung around the finish line and cheered the rest of the runners in. Drank a non alcoholic beer and headed for home, with a big smile on my face! What a fabulous day.