Passion for the path

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This article was published 18/12/2021 (1554 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Reconnecting with nature is becoming more of a priority lately, as many seek to find ways to escape from concrete jungles and bond with the land, instead. Kristian Andres wants people to know that trail running is a low-impact sport that can be widely enjoyed, and lends itself well to an immersive experience in nature, replete with the sights and smells of the natural world.

“I grew up with a connection to the outdoors, living in a family where most of our getaways involved camping or being outdoors, to some extent,” Andres says. “I can remember being a pre-teen and doing my first canoe and back-country camping trip with a few of my family members at Steeprock Lake in the Porcupine Provincial Forest north of Swan River.

“Trail running has continued the connection with nature, and often I find my weekends planned around the next outdoor getaway from the city. I have a much greater appreciation for our green spaces, both within the city and outside in our provincial and national parks.”

Born in Russell, Andres grew up near Roblin, a small farming community 4 1/2 hours northwest of Winnipeg. Now living in Winnipeg, the 35-year-old got his first taste of trail running on a route in the meadow near his home by Lake of the Prairies in the early 2000s. There was a lot of time spent running down little dirt roads and railway tracks while working the fields by the family farm.

In 2016, while in Brandon, he discovered obstacle-course racing and spent some time doing research, looking for some of the most challenging trails in the area.

“That brought me to Riding Mountain and the Brandon Hills, which have become two of my absolute favourite places to explore through trail running. My first time running the full length of the Mantario Trail, which is 63 kilometres through very rugged Canadian Shield and boreal forest, is high on the list,” Andres says.

He appreciates the diversity of trails throughout the province, including the Mantario and Centennial Trail in the Whiteshell, and the Black Lake Trail in Nopiming Provincial Park, located on Treaty 3 land.

“Within Winnipeg, Seine River Greenway has a number of both single-track and double-wide gravelled paths meandering along the river. There are gorgeous carvings along the paths and a surprising amount of wildlife. Being in Winnipeg this is located on Treaty 1 Land.

“For me, the biggest benefit of trail running is the mental clarity and stress release that it brings. Spending time in the woods helps me slow down mentally and get away from the static of everyday life. A big aspect for me is my time spent adventuring, the places I can see on foot that I wouldn’t be able to otherwise. The long days spent with friends, exploring together, packing snacks, jumping in a remote lake for a swim, mid-run. That’s what really inspires me to keep running.”

Mark Timmons has explored some of the most beautiful places in the world as an avid trail runner.

He considers himself fortunate to have travelled and run on the trails of Colorado, trekked to Mount Everest and through the Himalayas, raced in northern Norway and the Icelandic Highlands and ventured throughout North America. His life-changing trail-running experiences have fuelled his love of nature.

“Once I started to immerse myself into the world of trail running, I began to fully appreciate the incredible opportunities the trees and hills and trails offered me,” says Timmons. “In this era of large-scale global environmental problems, it is difficult for any of us to find ways that we can truly make a difference. I have discovered that engaging in an activity that at its very core demands an accessible and healthy planet, naturally makes all trail runners want to do more to preserve our environment.”

His trail-running experiences have been compiled in a book titled Man on the Run, in which he shares the personal side of his adventures.

“Ordinary athletes can perform at an ordinary level and still experience extraordinary things. Trail running is all about establishing realistic goals for how good we can honestly be at something and pushing ourselves to reach that goal. Above all, the ultimate benefit of trail running is appreciating and respecting nature, and building relationships with the people around us. I believe that everyone who chooses to run or hike trails will always come away with renewed conviction to doing what they can to help build a healthier environment and society.

“As running became a focus of my life at the age of 50 and beyond, my level of physical fitness and overall emotional health have become better than at any other point in my life,” says the 61-year-old.

Timmons prefers the quiet and solitude of being alone on the trails, and says there are world-class running and hiking trails virtually everywhere in the province.

“Regardless of where one might live, a short drive can get you to a trail system that really is as good, if not better, than anywhere else in Canada.”

Timmons highlights the Souris Bend Wildlife Management Area, 20 minutes south of Brandon, as a visual feast for any runner.

“This area, which is maintained by a local equestrian association, is one of the most spectacular places I have ever visited. With multiple river crossings and extremely steep climbs, long sections of running along the ridge looking down to the valley floor below, forest colours worthy of a painting, and frequent sightings of bald eagles, one might think they have been dropped into a runners’ paradise.”

Man on the Run: A Collection of Trail Running Stories from Manitoba to Mount Everest is available through matr.ca, Amazon.ca and Runningroom.com and several rural Manitoba businesses, with a portion of the profits going to local organizations, including the Manitoba Association of Trail Runners.

To learn more about trail running, visit: trailsoftoba.com, matr.ca, cityparkrunners.com, alcycle.ca, or @trailsoftoba on Instagram.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca