Race Report by Jim Orr
Haliburton Forest Trail Runs
West Guilford, Ontario
September 10/11, 2005

On a sunny Sunday morning in February 2005, myself and eight other runners got together for a run through the lovely High Park area of Toronto. After our run, fellow runners Elizabeth and Jeff generously invited us into their home to change into warm, dry clothes, and proceeded to serve up the most delectable post‑run goodies you can imagine. As we nibbled and noshed, we talked about - what else - running. Helen, the Haliburton Run Director, was there, so the conversation naturally turned to Haliburton Forest. I had never been to Haliburton, and the more I heard about it, the more I wanted to go. The clincher came when I saw the medal (which Helen just happened to have with her) that is given to all Haliburton Run finishers. It was very impressive - all black and gold, it bore the image of a wolf in full stride and, if you looked carefully, you could see the silhouette of a Native American. I wanted that medal.

Fast forward about six months, to the start of the Haliburton 100‑mile, 50‑mile, and 50‑km Trail Runs. Just before we started, Helen led us in a brief acknowledgement to the forest gods, and then we set off into the morning twilight. I was attempting the 50‑miler, which consisted of a 40‑km out‑and‑back course along forest roads and trails. The first six kilometres of the course followed smooth, wide, gravel roads, which allowed everyone to get comfortable before tackling the narrower trails that waited ahead. As the sun rose, I encountered the first hilly and winding portion of the course - Normac Trail. I ran up, down, all around, across five little bridges (thank you, Jeff H.), covering approximately four kilometres before reaching the end of Normac and the beginning of a one‑kilometre stretch of gravel road (a welcome relief). Then it was on to Poacher’s Trail, which is about the same length as Normac, but not as hilly or winding. After Poacher’s Trail came Ben’s Trail and Krista Trail. Somewhere in that vicinity, I came upon a large pond shrouded in morning mist and sunlight (Unreal!). At the end of Krista was the 25K aid station. Between there and the 40K aid station (Scholz’s Deli), I had the pleasure of running with fellow warriors Geoff, Luke, Jeff S., and Keith, who all helped to make the experience more enjoyable and to make sure I was okay after a nifty face plant. Several hours later, I reached the finish line and received that beautiful black and gold medal that I had wanted. More importantly, I experienced the natural beauty of Haliburton Forest with some great people.

Note from Helen Malmberg, RD – Jim is being very modest. He went on the win the 50 miler in a time of 7.52, his 1^st 50 miler & his 1^st trail run. Later in the evening he paced Jeff Simpkins to his 100 mile win. Way to go Jim! Wait till I show him the buckle the 100 mile finishers receive!!!!!