To run or not to run…
On July 6, Dunedin’s Peter Taylor knew there was only one answer to that question. He was at the start line for his second Sinister Seven – 148 kilometres, 7 stages ranging from 12 to 35 kilometres, with elevation gain/loss of 5,320 metres that must be finished in less than 27 hours. Last year, Taylor finished the grueling wilderness ultramarathon held at Crowsnest Pass, Alberta in the amazing time of 19 hours and 17 minutes and placed 6th.
This year, Taylor came to run. And run he did… for 17 hours and 57 minutes, which gave him a 2nd place finish. Taylor attributes his improved result to the extra strength he gained by pushing his baby daughter, Isla, in her stroller on many of his training runs. He also acknowledges the effort of his support team Leslie, Kareen, Kev, Jay and Ty.
As an example of how tough this race is, another local resident, Collingwood’s Nick Brindisi, no slouch of a long-distance runner himself, was forced to withdraw from his first attempt at the Sinister Seven after 100 kilometres, having lost all of his toenails and become hypothermic.
To run or not to run? In Taylor’s own words, “the ultra marathon is something I do and love because its one of the ways I can celebrate my health that I have right now. You never know when it will be taken away from you.”
Congratulations, Peter. Your health is showing!
Nick Brindisi and Peter Taylor at the 2013 Sinister Seven.
