For an Event Host to suggest that one years event was "better" than another
is kind of like your Mom suggesting that one of her kids is "better" than
another. However, things came together very well this year, so the 12th
annual Vancouver New Years Day Fat Ass 50 will go down in the records as
extra special.

Weather on New Years day in Vancouver generally ranges from lousy to
downright awful. Assuming you didn't spend too much time standing around at
aid stations, the weather was just about perfect for a run this year. True,
it was a bit misty at the start...some even spotted a flurry or 2 up in the
deep woods of Pacific Spirit Park...but by noon, temperatures had risen to
the upper single digits and everyone was treated to magnificent sunshine and
a spectacular view of the North Shore mountains.

Ted from CTV was back to document this icon of west coast lifestyle. There
were 70 starters this year from as far away as Iowa City and Toronto. A few
cheeky runners managed to get their bottoms on national television news.
Many more were interviewed and likely had their IQs debated in living rooms
across North America.

Most participants agreed to "run friendly" for the first 20 minutes or so.
This tradition encourages all runners to get to know one another a bit
before the more competitive elements attempt to rip each other's throats
out.

Another unique feature of this and other Club Fat Ass events is that the
route is not marked in any way. That's right, no fluorescent cones, no
policemen at intersections, no surveyor tape in the trees or paint on the
ground to harm the environment and no white chalk on corners to get the
HazMaT (Hazardous Materials Team) all excited...just the written
instructions provided by the Event Host. This year a good 20% of the field
got lost to some degree or another, though none for any great distance.
Tradition also has it that the Event Host buys a beer for those
inconvenienced by bad directions, so the jury will soon be deliberating
circumstances around Beaver Lake on the come-home trail through Stanley
Park.

Charges of misleading advertising are pending regarding claims of "no aid"
and the requirement that all runners be self-sufficient. For the first time
in the 12-year history of the event there were two full-on buffet aid
stations along the route. Many thanks to Mark Shorter, Troy Angrignon,
Stephanie and David Tatum who set up aid stations at Spanish Banks and the
25K point, and to Keith Nichol and Tom Skinner at North Shore Athletics,
Hammergel for the energy gels, Pete Stace-Smith at Norco, and the friends
and family who chipped-in home baking and other goodies for the pot-luck aid
stations.

We like to emphasize the camaraderie over the competition in this off-season
classic, but several competitive records were broken. Dave Cressman, Bill
Dagg, Tim Wiens and Jordan Back battled it out for top male runner, while
Ellie Greenwood, Rainy Kent and Ann Taylor, Carol Holmes and Celina
Kleinschroth represented the top women. Dave kissed the fire hydrant first
in 4:33, claiming his third Vancouver New Years Day Fat Ass 50 victory.
Ellie won top honors for the women in 5:00 and 4th overall finisher. Also
of note was that almost half of all participants entered the "Freeze Your
Fat Ass Swim" in Burrard Inlet. Owen Davis and Doug Kier judged the water
to be "bracing". Speaking with a very high-pitched voice at the finisher
party, the winner of the prize for the longest swim claimed to have been in
for more than 2 minutes...another record!

Speaking of camaraderie and good sportsmanship, there were two particular
highlights: Thank you to the homeless man in the shelter on Rawlings Trail
in Stanley Park who directed runners toward Second Beach and the seawall.
He was howling with laughter by the time I ran by him. Also, one of the top
runners slowed to help direct a couple of women who had jogged past a trail
junction. "Hey...if you're in the Fat Ass 50, you just missed the
turn-off!" Apparently startled by the interruption, they both turned around
and responded, "I'm not 50 and I don't have a fat ass!"

This year we moved the post event get-together to the Mosquito Creek Grill
in North Vancouver. There was lots of room, good food and a free beer for
each runner and crew member. Mark, Troy, Stephanie and David received a
standing ovation for their aid stations. Thanks to Norco, Hammergel and the
MEC there were lots of fun recognition prizes.

Congrats to all participants and may 2005 bring you good health, happiness
and prosperity.

Ean "Rain, No Train" Jackson
Host, Vancouver New Years Day Fat Ass 50

Event results - http://www.clubfatass.com/CABCVan_NYday/05_FA.html
Photo gallery - http://www.clubfatass.com/CABCVan_NYday/05_Photos.html
Club Fat Ass 2005 Point series standings -
http://www.clubfatass.com/point_series_2005.html

Wednesday 5 January - Next event in the Club Fat Ass series - Richmond Hill,
Ontario:
http://www.clubfatass.com/CAONTor_CaveCanum/
Saturday 19 February - Next event in BC is in North Vancouver:
http://www.clubfatass.com/CABCVan_mardigrasnite/