The idea of holding a half marathon road running event was born about 2006 not long after race director, Dave Clark, had run numerous half marathons and his first (and only) ultra marathon.  It was clear at that time that these wonderful running races were being held in communities across the globe - so why not in Whistler? 

Inspiration to spend the time and effort developing the event's business plan from concept to completion came from the fact that Dave's wife, Wendy, suffers from Crohn's disease.  "I have seen the pain and anguish that Crohn's disease can cause and I am determined to do all that I can to support research for a cure".  Wendy was diagnosed a few years before the couple met and moved to Whistler; and as with most sufferers she tried numerous approaches to managing the disease so that she could pursue a healthy and active lifestyle.  Thankfully Wendy has found the balance of diet and medications that allow for her to live the life she wants, sharing it with her son, husband and family.

The Whistler Half Marathon truly is a dedication to the love and support for one's life long companion and partner.

Hi there,
 
Over the next few months I will be competing in a number of endurance races to raise funds and awareness for Crohn’s & Colitis Disease, Ostomy’s and Life after surgery.   All of which are very close to me.  This is why...

Andrea is a 37 year old professional who has been living with an ileostomy due to Ulcerative Colitis since 1996. She’s also an endurance athlete.

She was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at the age of 20 in January 1994. In October 1996, at the age of just 23, she had surgery to remove her entire large colon and an ileostomy was created.

Shortly after her initial surgery, she was introduced into the world of triathlon. Her first, the Bob McIntosh memorial olympic distance in August 1998 brought the entire town of Squamish together. Her friends and family were all there to support her and it was a very emotional day. Thinking back, she laughs about swimming the entire 1.5km swim breast stroke, riding a 25 year old Fiori road bike and running in trail shoes. How things have changed!

Over the next few years Andrea completed four Ironman triathlon’s, four Test of Metal mountain bike races, the Gearjammer, three half Ironman triathlons, numerous other races and even day one of the Ultraman Canada three day triathlon. Her day one portion consisting of a 10km swim followed by a 145km bike, she finished in less than 10 hours. Now that she had been exposed to Ultraman, the thought of accomplishing that was very intriguing. 

more of Andrea's story can be read here
 
Endurance events I’ll be participating in this year are:

April 1 – Pacific Populaire 103km bike - √Check 4 hours 26 minutes
May 1 – Vancouver Marathon 42.2km run
May 29 – Ironman Brazil 3.8km swim, 180.2km bike and a 42.2km run
June 4 – Whistler Half Marathon 21.km run benefitting the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
July 30 to Aug 1 – Ultraman Canada, a 3 day 512km triathlon  10km swim, 418km bike and 84km run
September 10 – Whistler Gran Fondo 120km bike

Andrea - 2011 Registered Athlete
Vancouver, BC

Let's face it, stool (or feces) is about as natural as you can get - as is the bodily function of the human bowel and GI tract.  But when natural things don't work as they should, something that many people consider to be a normal every day occurance becomes the centre of our life.  There are very few things that we human can honestly live without, and bowel function is one of them.

Over 200,000 Canadians live with IBD (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) yet so many people have never heard about it.  Why is this?  Well, a disease like this rarely becomes dinner time conversation in a household without a sufferer.  Much like breast cancer was not talked about 25-30 years ago - diseases that effect what are generally considered to be more private parts of our body are sometimes unconfortable to talk about.  We hope to change that.  Let's make IBD a dinner time conversation, because with greater awareness comes more access to research grants, which can lead to cures for these horrible diseases in our life time.

That is the poop on why we support the CCFC.

Well, I registered today and booked my flight.  Three years after having 18 inches of my small intestine removed due to Crohn's Disease, I will be running.  Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.

At 25 years old, I was completing my Bachelor's degree at the University of Manitoba.  I was running about 30km per week, working out with weights, and healthy as a horse.  That's when it hit me.  My first fight with Crohn's.  I had to take time away from school, suffer through drug changes and infection, until I finally got things under control. 

Things stayed calm for quite some time but I never felt well enough to get back in shape and feel healthy.  I met a wonderful lady.  We got married and moved to Calgary.  I was getting sicker.  My son was born and my wife was pregnant with our daughter (they are now 4 and 3 years old!) and I needed surgery.  I had to get healthy for my family.

Since my surgery, the drug Remicade has made a world of difference.  I feel healthy again and my running feels great.  I worry about my children's chances of developing the disease and feel for all those that are sick or sicker than I.  What else does this disease have in store for me?

Tyler - 2011 registered athlete
Okotoks, AB

Over the past eight years I have completed 2 Ironmans, 4 Half Ironmans, 7 marathons, 6 half marathons,  some triathlons and many shorter distance running races and enjoy being a group run leader in Vancouver 
 
Now, imagine being told at the age of 12 that you have an abnormal spine and require spinal surgery with Harrington Rods!? This is not what the average 12 year old thinks about. I was diagnosed with Scoliosis, which is an abnormal curvature of the spine. In most cases the cause of Scoliosis is unknown and it affects more women than men, mostly during growing years.

I had a 43 degree curved spine and Doctors recommended surgery as my only option. My condition was so severe that I could have died from my heart and lungs pushing against my ribcage. My first operation lasted eight hours and doctors inserted a 10 inch steel rod with 5 hooks and used bone from my hip to straighten my spine. This is called a Harrington Rod procedure. I went in 5'7 and came out 5'9. 
 
Some years later, while training for my first marathon, my hips were so sore from running. I had booked a phsyio appointment only to learn that my legs were different lengths. My phsyio at the time recommend a heel lift to keep my hips even. I still do physio maintenance once every two weeks during off season and once a week when I'm training. I need to keep my hip and shoulder girdle strong to support my spine.

I feel blessed to be so active after my surgery. I have taken a severe condition and challenged it, rather than sitting back and letting it control my life. Sure, set backs along the way may have slowed me down, but they're not going to stop me from moving closer to reaching my next accomplishment. I hope my accomplishments and participation in the 2011 Whistler Half Marathon motivates anyone with or without a condition to just go for it! You never know what you are made of until you dig deep inside and shake up those demons that scare you outside of your comfort zone.
 
It's all about getting to the start and finish line, the in between isn't always pretty but you need to have fun!  Be your own Hero and have a fantastic race!  

Michelle - 2011 registered athlete
Vancouver, BC