Daniel Alan Crockett

I was born in Vancouver B.C., Jan.22, 1947. I moved 4 or 5 times before I was 5 and finally settled in Cawston, BC, where I stayed until I finished school. I traveled the Province as an Electrician and met a beautiful Norwegian girl in Smithers, BC in 1966. We fell in love and got married 6 months later. We have been married for 53 years and have two wonderful children, Lisa and Kenneth and 4 incredible grandchildren, Elliot and Hanna Bekesza and Sophia Bella and Callum Crockett.

I have always been involved in sports and as my friends are aware, I am a very competitive person. I didn't run much in school and started running when I joined the RCMP and went through 6 months of rigorous training in Regina, Sask. Most of the runs there were around 6k, however I did accumulate 1,000 miles during the 6 month period.

My first taste of serious running came in 1993 when after 27years I was able to make a trip to Norway with my wife Toni, who hadn't been back since she was 18. While looking through travel brochures, I noticed that there was a marathon in Tromso, near Toni's birthplace, 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. I thought it would be a memorable experience to do the "Midnight Sun Marathon" and began training in February with no idea of what to do for this June 3rd experience. My runs consisted of 4-6 miles 5-6 days per week with two 10 milers thrown in and one attempt at a 20 miler (which seriously injured me).
I actually resorted to allowing an oriental acquaintance to use the ancient therapy of burning little piles of herbs and spices on my leg form ankle to thigh (much like letting someone stub out cigarettes on your skin). It seemed to help and I went to Norway and after 3 nights on a coastal steamer with little sleep, I ran well for 18 miles and then went through hell to finish in 3:41:55. I couldn't walk for a few days and did not run again for 4 years.
The bad experience played on me and the competitor in me was determined to do better. I signed up for a marathon clinic at the Running Room in 1997 and ran a 3:10 at the Okanagan International Marathon that year.

It was at the Running Room where I met Brian, Sue, Holly, Terry and others that encouraged and supported me and introduced me to The Kelowna Running Club and to the trails. Since 1997 I have run the IRA road race series and won my age group as well as received the Iron legs award.  In 2008 I was runner up for the age graded award and won Trail Runner of the Year with the Kelowna Running Club.  I have completed 18 marathons and 22 ultras including the Cascade Crest Classic 100 miler, the Eagle 100 miler and H2H 100k road ultra.  I have led the Trail Club for 14 years and have hosted ultra clinics and learn to run clinics.  Along with Shirlee Ross, I organized and have been co-race director of the Scorched Sole, a local 25k/50k/50mi ultra which is in it's 7th year.  I have enjoyed working on the executive of the Kelowna Running Club for many years and am now entering a new exciting phase with my endurance running.

Contrary to popular opinion, I do not always have fun running. Training is a challenge at times and racing is often a painful experience. I do like to set goals and work hard to achieve them. Running provides this outlet for me. Running also helps to relieve stress and allows me to enjoy the wonderful outdoors.  Of course now my training and ultra running have taken on new meaning, that of raising funds to support children's charities.

My thanks go out to so many who have welcomed me into their running circles. Special thanks to Brian VanOene who introduced me to trail running, Rory Switzer who always supports and encourages (as well as impressing me with his incredible talent), Janice Page who has never stopped improving and reaching for new goals, my wife Toni, who has endured far more than I and through it all kept a great attitude and still managed to lend support to me. She has become a runner and I often reflect on the consequences of "loosing a monster".  Last but certainly not least, my best friend and running partner who shares my passion and dream for giving back to the community, especially kids, Shirlee Ross.

Most of all, I enjoy the friendships that have been created, the memories that will be treasured forever and the feeling of well being that the conditioning of running has produced.  My hope is that others will be inspired by what I am able to do at age 73.