This was my 3rd consecutive ATB race. As always, the race started on a damp chilly day in Hamilton. The field was again huge as it continues to attract a large number of runners from all around the world. Being my first race of the year, I wasn’t fully trained as I never put in the long runs over the winter season. Therefore, I started slow and then gathered momentum as the race progressed. The wind picked up around the bay area so it was difficult to set a decent pace. Having run the race on two previous occasions, I knew the course quite well and was determined to run up the hill at the 28km mark. However, it was not to be as I got winded 200m into the climb. Near the finish line was the ever present reaper…so I shook his hand and continued to the finish line. As I crossed the finish line, I was interviewed by the local news channel…so that was my 2 minutes of fame! 
The 2nd year in a row, I took part in the oldest race in North America. The goal this year was to conquer the dreaded hill at the 28th kilometer by running the whole way. That challenge lasted only a few hundred meters and I was then back to walking again. The race was fun as usual, with great support en route and a huge number of participants. The best part was meeting with the reaper one km short of the finish. This year as well my timing was pretty much the same as last year, but I finished the race without much trouble. 
A race I would never run again. A real killer!!! I thought it would be like the CTC I ran a couple of weeks ago. But it wasn’t. This 32K course comprised of creek crossing, 5 dangerous hills and poor route signs. To make matters worst, there was a thunderstorm half an hour into the race. The trails were so muddy that my shoe got stuck in the mud as I was climbing one of the hills. Then there were part of the trail with moss and algae on which one couldn’t even walk properly, let alone running. All in all, it was one race where I decided to quit about 20 times….but I found some strength in the latter part of the run and finished in over 5 hrs. Instead of a medallion, we received a painted finisher’s rock with our time on it. At least that was nice. However, I will never run this race again! 
Finally after 7 races, I decided to run a distance that’s more than a half marathon. 30K seemed a daunting task as I waited at the starting line with thousands of runners. The big turn out, live bands and great scenery helped me through the first half of the race. I crossed my first hurdle (21K) and then I was in unfamiliar territory. When I saw the 24K sign beside the graveyard, I knew I can do the last six. Then came the biggest hurdle, the huge 1km climb at the 28th km and literally got me winded. I mostly walked that hill and then one km from the finish, we were greeted by the “Reaper”. The crowd was huge at the finish line and as I crossed the line with cramped legs, I knew I was ready to take on the marathon distance! 
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AuthorZiyad Rahim is an adventure-runner from Pakistan. He currently holds 10 Guinness World Records in long-distance running, ranging from marathons to ultra-marathons. Race Reports
July 2018
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