Gary Robbins

About Gary Robbins

 
Date of Birth:
November 19, 1976

Place of Birth:
St. John’s Newfoundland

Current Home town:
North Vancouver, BC

Primary Race Distance:
Prefer 100milers

Other hobbies or sports:
mountain biking, skiing, diving, hockey

What Mountain Hardwear/ Montrail gear and clothing is in your quiver for a typical day at/ on the trail?
The new Mountain Hardwear Effusion Dry.Q Jacket is pretty much with me 24-7 these days. Montrail Mountain Masochists though I am liking the new Bajadas quite a bit as well. Mountain Hardwear’s Momentum Running Gloves, Ultrarefuel Short and Wicked Lite S/S

How were you introduced to your sport?
I started off in adventure racing in 2004 with the goal of expedition racing. In Jan of ‘04 I didn’t even know what an ‘ultra run’ was and couldn’t comprehend that people actually ran for 50km at a time…let alone longer. Along the way running and more specifically trail running became my absolute passion and in 2008 I sold my kayak and mountain bike and turned my attention 100% to the run.

What inspires you?
The beauty and solitude of the mountains is all the inspiration I’ve ever desired

Which athletes or other individuals have been your biggest source of inspiration?
I’m a big fan of the sport but I can’t say that one or two people inspire me specifically. What’s happening in the sport as a whole right now, with it getting faster and more competitive by the day, is very inspiring. It’s very cool to see an entire group of people from around the globe striving to push their bodies to the absolute limit.

What advice would you give to newcomers to (your sport) today?
If you’re fast, go find something else to do, there’s enough fast guys here already. If you’re slow, call me, we can go for a run sometime

What’s your favorite pre race meal?
Coffee and banana or small bowl of gluten free cereal

What the first thing you look forward to doing after a long run / race?
Hot shower in winter, laying in the sun in the summer

How do you balance your training schedule with your “real” job?
You mean you guys aren’t paying me an annual salary to do this…umm…

In 10 years I hope to be…
still healthy and running while also directing a couple of long distance trail races that have carved out a niche

Six-word bio:
“I can not count to six”

When singing karaoke, what song do you sing to bring down the house?
Eye Of The Tiger (no really)

What music gets you fired up?
Currently The Black Keys

 

Career Highlights

  • January 2011, 10km on crutches in 1h28m
  • April 2011, 3rd Jan 2011 50miler
  • 2011, 8.5 months on crutches after breaking my foot twice , Canadian Death Race (Grande Cache, AB)
  • January 2010, HURT Hawaii - 1st Course Record
  • April 2010, Diez Vista 50 – 1st, Course Record
  • June 2010, WS100 – 6th
  • February 2009, Orcas Island 50k – 2nd
  • March 2009, Dirty Duo 50k – 1st, Course Record
  • April 2009, Diez Vista 50k – 1st
  • June 2009, WS100 – 49th – 1st
  • August 2009, Trans Rockies Run – Open Mixed – 1st
  • October 2009, Run For The Toad 50k – 3rd
  • November 2009, Mountain Masochist 50miler – 3rd
  • April 2008, Diez Vista 50k – 2nd
  • August 2008, Stormy 100miler – 1st, Course Record
  • September 2008, Cle Elum 50k Sept 2008 – 1st
  • November 2008, Mountain Masochist 50miler – 2nd

Other Noteable Achievements:

  • Chuckanut 50km
  • August 2010, 215km East Coast Trail – 35h17m, Speed Record
  • 75km West Coast Trail 75km – 10h08m, Speed Record
  • August 2007, 130km West Coast Trail + Juan De Fuca Trail – 1st to ever run, 23h40m
  • August 2007, Expedition Adventure Racing (kayaking, mountain biking, trekking, ropes work, navigation). XPD Australia 800km team of 4 co-ed – 15th o/a
  • Only person to ever sweep three race MOMAR adventure racing series

Film Appearances:
East Coast Trail Doc
West Coast Trail Doc
FEAT (Fascinating Expedition and Adventure Talks) Public Speaking Evening

 

Races

2012 Race Plans:

  • May 12, Ultratrail Castellon 115km, Castellon de la Plana
  • August 31, UTMB, France

2011/2012 Race Results

  • 2012 – April, Peterson Ridge Rumble – 2nd overall, 20 miler, 2h16m, 1st in dog division
  • April, Capitol Peak 55km – 2nd overall, 55km, 4h35m