Run in the Sun!

Tours

Who are we?

Like yourselves, no matter how hard we try, running seems to remain a constant in our lives. RUN IN THE SUN! Tours are organized and lead by Mike Creery. As modest as Mike is, his credentials are quite impressive to some of us 'middle-of-the-packers'. He is a former Canadian Olympian, 2:14:32 marathoner, a former world ranked Masters runner (4-18 mile & 14-46 5K and 3rd in the World 10K Road Championships) with a passion for running. As a certified national running coach, he has successfully coached runners of all abilities and ages in more than 15 years. Currently, he is coaching runners from the Island Road Racers and Team West Coast Triathlon Clubs in Victoria, British Columbia.

The tours target exotic races and/or locations for that well deserved rest and partying, with a little bit of running thrown in for balance. The focus of the training camps is to provide top notch instruction and to promote a healthy lifestyle in a stress free, supportive environment, and above all to have some fun! Click onto the Running Camps (see the latest testimonial) or the travel itinerary for more information.

GROUP CONSENSUS

"Definitely lots of fun. Great social life!"

"I liked the organization and the people were awesome The comaradie was great - as a recreational runner I learned a lot. It's nice to travel in a group..."

"Had a fantastic time!! See you next year"

Weekend RUNNING CAMPS

Getaway from the rat race!

Focus on ...Running and Fun!

February
March
September

Training Camps suited to your needs with spectacular scenery!

FREE return ground transportation from Victoria to Tofino (1st 10 to sign up) or Fly into Tofino
Two nights accommodation at Ocean Village Beach Resort
Indoor swimming pool /hot tub for recovery sessions and cross training demonstrations.

Run or walk at your own pace and join us at our super, exhilarating training camp planned for spectacular Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park, Canada...no polar bears here!

Stretch out at Long Beach...

Surround yourself with spectacular rain forest, bald eagles, black bears, gray whales, pounding surf, breathtaking views and friendly people!

Brent B and Tim H smashed the previous dune-climbing record previously
set by Graham C (World Cross Country runner). Luckily, the rest of us were under a cloudless sky so we didn't mind waiting for them to accomplish this. It was the longest training session ever in the history of the Long Beach Weekends! The two went up the dune 61 times, taking very little rest breaks and also working together as a team by taking turns leading. Cheryl W and her friend, Sue, retain the female 'most dunes' count at 45. Meanwhile, back at Ocean View Resort, Tim's wife and kids spent 3 hours in the pool - setting a new swim record.

After some ocean-dipping, hot-tubbing, lasagna-eating and napping as a team during the relaxation session - we headed off to a different beach for a late afternoon pick-ups workout. We finished as the sun was setting at the far end of the beach - awesome!

More hot-tubbing and drinking followed until we started to crash one by one as the fatigue of the day set in. Joe's wife Anna outlasted all the women and stayed up with Joe, Brent and Tim as they polished off a gallon of red wine.

The blue sky and sunshine was out when we awoke, so it was time to take the stiff legs out for an easy run. We were in two groups for this workout - some drove to Long Beach, the rest ran from the cabins to Chesterman's Beach by the new Wickininish Inn. The remainder of the day was spent at Combers Beach as we lounged in the sun and took a ton of pictures.

We highly recommend everyone try this training camp. (Monica L, IRR team runner)

OTHER Testimonials:
"I really enjoyed the camp" (Jeff D, Los Angeles, California)

"Nice friendly people and a great training environment " (John H, Blaine, Washington)

"Absolutely wonderful setting and a great group of people" (Mary F, Victoria, Canada)

"Wow!! Wow!!" (Brent and Tim after completing 61 sand dune repeats and finally seeing the spectacular view!!)

Reach for the top...

Benefits:

Improve your running in a relaxed fun atmosphere.

Training terrain includes 12 miles of beach, bordered by rain forest.

Limited number of spaces. Good coach-to-runner ratio.

Full schedule of recreational, social and sight-seeing activities.

US $ worth approximately 50% more than the Canadian $

Get focused . . .on Running

Get ahead of the competition!

We will help you individualize your training with lots of first-class instruction on mental preparation, stress management, nutrition, bio-mechanics (including video analysis), stretching, dynamic warm up techniques and power/speed drills, hill training, cross training/ recovery methods and the periodization of your training to help you reach your running goals. Guest presenters will also be attending the camps. The Island Road Racers is our host sponsor of the camps.

Lots to learn mixed with socializing, sight-seeing and fun!

The itinerary includes two daily runs /cross training and information sessions.

Contact Mike at Fax (250) 477-5162 for more details and registration or email: mikec@islandnet.com For travel arrangements to charming Victoria and beautiful British Columbia, call 1-800-565-4566 (Victoria Travel Shoppe).

RUN IN THE SUN! TOURS

#1 Barbados - Let's party all night...

November

7 or 14 Days - Your Choice

What a better way to escape the winter blahs, or in some places frozen toes - than the sunny, friendly Caribbean!. Run in the sun of the Barbados 10K or take on the marathon. Then, picture yourself lying on a breathtakingly beautiful sandy beach, listening to Calypso music and watching the warm surf lapping the shore! Accommodation at a full facility Beach Resort in vibrant, exuberant St. Lawrence Gap - it's the action spot, with exciting nightclubs, fine dining and excellent local craft shopping within walking distance. How about a side trip to the exotic island of St Lucia...

#2 Las Vegas marathon or half marathon - Roll the dice...

February

4 or more days - Your Choice

Join us in the fun capital of the world! Non-stop activity 24 hours a day...if you can handle it! Take in the glitz and glitter of the city's world class hotels and run at your own pace in the marathon or half marathon events. Take a side trip to the colossal Hoover Dam or to the incredible Grand Canyon in Arizona.

#3 Prague marathon - Czech it out!

May

14 or 21 Days - Your Choice

The city of Prague is 1000 years old, full of incredible history! The old town of Prague has been magnificently restored...it is a dream to see and run through! The Czech Republic is one of the best values in Europe for North American dollars. The beer is so good and so cheap that you may be tempted to order a couple...The Prague marathon and shorter distance events is a 'must do' for runners...Don't worry about the language...we will provide the friendly local guides who speak your language...and they will show you the town during the day and the incredible dance club scene during the night!

#4 The Dublin marathon - where Irish eyes are smiling...

October

7 or 14 Days - Your Choice

Dublin is the city that brought us James Joyce, W.B. Yates, Brendan Behan and some great runners. Dublin is a city of parks, Guinness beer and the most friendly people that you will ever meet! Join us for the ultimate scenic tour around Dublin by running one of Europe's premier marathons or doing absolutely nothing at all!

#5 San Francisco Bay to Breakers - It's a 7.1...this is the BIG one...feel the earth move...

May

4 or more days - Your Choice

Join us at the world famous Bay to Breakers fun run or just come and watch the Mardi Gras on two feet and join in all the festivities. Come and experience O'Reilly's Irish Pub, Lou's Jazz Club on Fisherman's Wharf, the Sound Factory dance club. Explore spectacular Golden Gate Park, visit the ancient Hippies at Haight Asbury...enjoy the fabulous restaurants...the list goes on!

"What a party!"

#6 Surfer Paradise, Australia - No worries, mate!

May

14 or 21 Days

- Your Choice

Come and join us for your trip of a lifetime! We will fly you into cosmopolitan, Olympic city of Sydney and then take you upto the exotic Gold Coast of Queensland to experience the Aussie hospitality! More details later...

A SAMPLE TOUR FROM THE PAST:

SAN FRANCISCO

Bay to Breakers Review

Run in the Sun! Tour Group takes on the monolith race.

WOW was that way too much fun! 20 happy runners took the voyage down from Victoria, BC to the city that offered more than charm and good food. 71,500 participants took to the streets of San Francisco to challenge the 12K course. The route could not have been more scenic. The race started downtown and raced away from the Bay towards Golden Gate Park, finishing with a downhill stretch complete with ocean breaker view. The San Francisco Examiner exclaims, "...the Examiner Bay to Breakers wasn't about a finishing time, it was about having the time of their lives. And from the wild costumes to no costumes at all, the world's largest foot race delivered once again." Jay Leno was there to start the race and some of the Run in the Sun runners were lucky enough to get an autograph. The afternoon was spent sipping beer and listening to the Allman brothers at the post race party. (Just you and 70,000 of your closest friends). Besides the race, San Francisco always hosts a wealth of activities. Dinner at Lou's Jazz Bar on Fisherman's wharf, afternoon trip to Alcatraz and the nightlife at the dance club 'the Sound Factory' were some of the other excursions.

Images from the past...