In The Most Anticipated BMO Grouse Grind Mountain Run Ever - Sebastian Salas Manages To Hold Off The Competition
The Gauntlet Was Clearly Thrown Down This Year By An Impressive Group of Elite Mountain Runners Ready to Smash The Grouse Grind Record.
October 1, 2011
October 1st, 2011, Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver B.C. – North America’s most popular hiking trail, the Grouse Grind, saw some unprecedented athletic performances today at this year’s BMO Grouse Grind Mountain Run. The elite men’s category was the one to watch with Sebastian Salas and other professional mountain runners going head to head in an effort to beat Salas’ official Grouse Grind record of 25:01. In a hard fought battle and despite some amazing performances, Sebastian Salas managed to keep the competition at bay and came in just shy of his own record with an impressive race winning time of 25:10. In the women’s elite, Stephanie Hamilton took the top spot on the podium with a remarkable time of 32:28.
Despite not breaking his own record Sebastian was pleased with the result after the race but said it was a hard fought win, “I mean it was full gas from the start and at times I was ready to settle for second but I pushed through the pain and took it. Overall I am pleased after all a win is a win”.
Close to 600 ambitious hikers took on the challenge of the BMO Grouse Grind Mountain Run this year with race participants, ranging in age from six to 77. From elite athletes to amateur competitors, most entrants try to beat their best times established on the grueling course throughout the season. This year’s charitable recipient was, once again, B.C. Children’s Hospital through Grouse Mountain’s Grind For Kids Program. Race participants were asked to collect pledges for every Grouse Grind completed during the season and will continue to do so over the coming days. So far this year, Grind for Kids has raised over $100,000 for B.C. Children’s Hospital and this total will keep growing.
Race sponsor BMO Bank of Montreal enters its seventh year as title patron of this popular community event. “BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to be a sponsor of the 21st Annual Grouse Grind Mountain Run. We applaud all those who completed the run or volunteered; including over 200 BMO employees”, said James Kitamura, Personal Area Banking Manager for the North Shore and Sunshine Coast.
2011 RESULTS
2011 Winners
Overall men:
1. Sebastian Salas 25:10
2. Joe Gray 25:54
3. Morgan Titus 27:21
Overall women:
1.Stephanie Hamilton 32:28
2.Tiffany Phillips 36:32
3.Tamasin Reno 36:53
Full race results can be viewed on www.ggmr.ca. or at www.raceheadquarters.com
The Grouse Grind®
The Grouse Grind®, sometimes called Mother Nature's Stairmaster, is a 2.9 km trail leading hikers up the face of Grouse Mountain. While it is not a long trail, it is a steep and rugged one, rising 853 meters (2,800 feet).
Course details:
Length: 3 kilometers (1.86 miles)
Elevation Gain: 853 meters (2,800 feet)
Base: 274 meters above sea level (900 feet)
Summit: 1,127 meters (3,700 feet)
Total Stairs: 2,830
Average
Time: Approximately an hour and a half to complete the hike, with two hours recommended for novice hikers.
Participants: Hikers range in age from children to seniors with an equal male/female split.
Sarah Lusk
Public Relations Manager
Grouse Mountain Resort Direct: 604.998.4255
Office: 604.984.0661
Cell: 604.551.4968
