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Yuki recovers on the gruelling Grouse Grind

One day after winning the 2019 Vancouver Marathon, Yuki Kawauchi recovers on the steep Grouse Grind trail

Yuki Kawauchi

Marathon recovery is going well for Yuki Kawauchi. The 2019 BMO Vancouver Marathon winner and course record holder from Japan, explored Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains the day after the race. After crossing the Capilano Suspension Bridge, he ventured over to Grouse Mountain and hiked the notorious Grouse Grind. The trail gains 850 metres over 2.9K, rewarding hikers with views of Vancouver’s Lower Mainland at the top. The ‘Grind’ is a staple for many Vancouverites, and Kawauchi tweeted how that felt the day after his marathon win.

RELATED: Yuki Kawauchi wins BMO Vancouver Marathon in course record

Photo: Twitter

Racing a fast marathon is a different beast than a steep climb up ‘Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.’ With presumably heavy legs, it’s no doubt that Kawauchi tweeted how impressive the 23:30-minute Grouse Grind record is. Even with post-race legs, Kawauchi completed the trail around 34-minutes. Perhaps the Japanese road runner is also transitioning to the trails like elite local and sixth place at this year’s Vancouver Marathon Rob Watson.

RELATED: Rob Watson’s first trail race was ‘snow good’

Photo: Twitter

Watson is now back to the trails, racing Puddle Jumper 50K race and the Seek the Peak road and trail race, which finishes at the top of Grouse Mountain in June. Elites transitioning from road marathons to trails may just be trending.

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