{"id":71677,"date":"2019-07-17T13:11:06","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T17:11:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=71677"},"modified":"2019-07-17T13:19:42","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T17:19:42","slug":"tenth-annual-limberlost-challenge-attracts-record-number-of-participants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/tenth-annual-limberlost-challenge-attracts-record-number-of-participants\/","title":{"rendered":"Tenth annual Limberlost Challenge attracts record number of participants"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Thanks to the addition of a new race distance, the tenth annual Limberlost Challenge had its biggest turn out yet with more than 800 runners participating.<\/p>\n

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Prior to 2019, the shortest distance was 14km. This year, a new 7km race attracted 206 runners. Back again were the 28km, 42km and 56km distaces, all following the 14km main loop which touches on five lakes and a wetland at the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve.<\/p>\n

“Trail running is on one hand easier on the joints compared to road running. However the terrain is technical, with rocks, roots and occasional mud so a runner’s time to complete the same distance will be longer,” said race director Neil Jefferson.<\/p>\n

The decade-old event 2019 also became a ‘cupless’ race for the first time this year \u2014 participants were asked to bring their own water bottles to cut down on waste. As in previous years, any participant who littered faced disqualification.<\/p>\n

Food, water and first aid is supplied as part of the event to all runners. On-course aid stations were stocked with electrolyte, water, cola, ginger ale, sweet snacks, salty snacks, fruit and ice and, later in the day, boiled potatoes and sea salt.<\/p>\n

Over the years The Limberlost Challenge has become known for their outstanding post-race food. This year, GD2GO from North Bay was hired to cater for the runners.<\/p>\n

Local runner, Kip Arlidge, won the 56km event for the second year in a row. “Last year he smashed the record by over 30 minutes,” said Jefferson. “Though not as fast this year because of the hot conditions, he was well over an hour ahead of second place. I have watched Kip through the years go from not finishing the event to becoming a dominant runner who has learned how to manage his energy output in a race. I really feel that he has the potential to be a prominent runner in international trail running events.”<\/p>\n

\"Kip

Kip Arlidge placed first in the 56K race at the 2019 Limberlost Challenge (thelimberlostchallenge.com \/ CLiiK Photography)<\/p><\/div>\n

The top finishers for 2019 were:<\/p>\n

7km<\/strong><\/p>\n