Kelsy Trigg - KK gets into your blood

Kelsy Trigg has been Race Director since 2005, but the race has been part of the Trigg family since 2000 - the entire 21st century!

Kelsy's husband, Jeff, ran in 2000, Jeff & Kelsy both ran in 2001, & Jeff, Brad (Jeff's brother) & Kelsy ran in 2002 :) proof it's contagious... Kelsy volunteered as a marshall in 2000, ran from 2001 -> 2004, Jeff & Kelsy joined the committee in 2003 & then Kelsy was RD from 2005 -> 2008.

Now in Kelsy's own words:

Knee Knacker gets in your blood. I warn new runners that it is truly addictive. Pushing ourselves to our limits & then more. I love the rawness, the genuine human nature that it exposes & the way it tends to bring out the best in all of us. The passion around the race is contagious & the word that comes to my mind when I think about my opportunity to be involved is "honoured". Our volunteers are amazing. And our committee is a truly dedicated crew... a really diverse group that comes together for the love of the race. Knee Knacker wouldn't be what it is today without Enzo's constant influence. His passion & love of the race is evident through the 20 years... he has been a great mentor.

And great athletes in the race too. One of the most humble, talented people I've seen over the years is Peter Findlay. Peter is a legend & also one of the most thoughtful runners. I remember distinctly the year we changed the start & Peter had never been on that stretch of trail & as he came into Cypress aid station (tied for first with Mark Bates at the time), he ran past with a completely relaxed demeanour & smiled, looked me in the eye & said something like "love the new stretch of trail, Kelsy"...

... another fun moment was when Suzanne & Lisa were vying for top women's spot & racing incredibly strong... they looked like they were going to give Peter & Mark a run for their money. They were closing the gap at the 1/2 way point, and I had visions of them surprising Findlay & Bates & making an even more interesting finish! :) what amazing finishes at 3rd & 4th overall!

The morning of the race is one of my favourite times. Driving through the city at 4:30 in the morning with the music cranked. Last year I pulled into the start with a bit of a skid & had to laugh at my race-car antics :) That and being at the finish line to share in each person's moments - the highs & lows... much more intense and special than I had expected.

Jeff & I have been thinking about some of the most rewarding times & we agree that staying until the very last runner comes in & seeing what a huge accomplishment that is. Hoping that people make the cutoff & seeing that determination. Being there to applaud the last 5-10 people who have been out for up to 10 (+) hrs... knowing the effort that it takes. Seeing the blood, sweat & tears & knowing how special a day it is.

Remembering the small moments on the trail, being encouraged & encouraging others. Feeling intense pain one moment & then strong & like we can conquer the world the next. Challenging our perceived limits & finding out what we're all really made of.

The comments that we get from people are absolutely heartwarming... if you want details, there are some at http://www.kneeknacker.com/RaceInfo/2007/CommunityThanks.htm & http://www.kneeknacker.com/RaceInfo/2006/Update13_0715.htm. I think my all-time favourite quote is
“Every runner on the planet should be so lucky as to run the Knee Knacker.” – Kevin Kramps, 2006 Finisher