Skip to content

Competitors rave about Kimberley Black Spur

Racers loved the course, the scenery, the challenge, the atmosphere and the excellent organization
54150kimberleydailyblackspur
Competitor Steven Michaloski runs the 100 K race in the Black Spur Ultra

The best way to gauge the success of an event is to get reaction from those participating. If that’s the case, then the comments flowing into Facebook about the Black Spur Ultra, an ultra-marathon with 50 and 100 kilometre distances run on Kimberley’s trails this past weekend, indicate the weekend was a huge success.

Racers loved the course, the scenery, the challenge, the atmosphere and the excellent organization provided by Brian Gallant of Full Moon Adventure Company.

Mark C. Ryan

“After a long hiatus from trail running this was a great re-introduction. I ran leg 4. It was the hardest trail I’ve ever hiked. I have never had to take 40 minutes to do 2km, especially so early in a race. Brian, you are a sick and twisted genius.”

Kristina Lynn Meyer

“The course was stunning and all the single track makes it the most fun I have had running 50K.”

Erin Klatt

“Loved all the single track, the stunning views, the challenge & the atmosphere....”

Calli Stromner

“Now that the haze of the weekend has cleared, I can honestly say the Black Spur Ultra is one of the most satisfying races I’ve ever done. It’s tough! It will challenge every muscle fibre in your body; it will test your mettle; it is unrelenting with the constant uphills.

But this is probably the prettiest race course I’ve been on... and the most fun! I don’t think I’ve seen as much technical single-track on another Alberta course... so this makes me want to venture out a little more to BC! The scenery was spectacular and as always, the folks at Full Moon Adventure Company really know how to put on a well-organized and (most important) safe race for us crazy masochists. I’m really glad I got to run this course before it gets as popular as its sister race, Sinister 7.”

Jeff Hirsch

“First off I would like to say thank you to Brian and his wife, the staff and all the volunteers for their time and effort to make such an amazing event happen. Second I would like to thank Brian for giving all the runners a heads-up at the runners meeting that leg 1 would “punish” us.” The group I was scrambling up the mountain with (me included) sounded like we were all asthmatics. What you failed to mention that leg 2 wasn’t much better. In fact, in my opinion, the entire course was absolutely ruthless. Granted I’m a rookie runner with only 6 ultras under my belt; but this was one tough course. You were either climbing up or running down. This course was the epitome of single track. It twisted, climbed, dropped and had every surface possible. From dirt, dirt and rocks, rocks and scree. Simply amazing. The trails are simply impossible to describe, they were beautiful from beginning to end. The post race awards ceremony and breakfast were to die for. Everyone was still pumped about the race and talking about the two rockets that won the 50k and 100k solo races. If anyone is even considering running this race next year, don’t hesitate, DO IT!!! Make sure you have your climbing legs ready, you’ll need them. Thanks again everyone. See you next year.”

Gallant was more than satisfied with the inaugural run.

“The comments we are receiving in person and by email are echoing those comments on Facebook. Some say it’s the new hardest course out there (that’s a good thing).”

 



Carolyn Grant

About the Author: Carolyn Grant

I have been with the Kimberley Bulletin since 2001 and have enjoyed every moment of it.
Read more