9 ways for Vancouver residents to test their stamina this season
Bring on your inner warrior. That’s because this is the season for testing your mettle in land-based races taking place across the region. As part of our Get Outside issue, we’ve listed nine big events that will get your adrenaline flowing.
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
May 28
The Squamish race offers 13- and 18-kilometre choices. It’s part of the Coast Mountain Trail Series by Ridgeline Events and includes a kids’ race. Adult competitors take off starting at 9 a.m. at Quest University. Fees on race day are $65 for the 13-kilometre event, and $75 for the 18-kilometre contest.
Details: www.coastmountaintrailseries.com
SPARTAN SPRINT
June 4
Sponsored by Reebok, the five-kilometre race happens at Mount Seymour in North Vancouver. It starts at 8 a.m., with waves of runners released every 30 minutes. The competition also features junior and youth races. A special race happens on the evening of June 3. Fees from $22 to $90.
Info: www.spartan.com/en/race/detail/1490
Race Four
June 5
MEC’s fourth race of the year takes place at Garry Point Park in Steveston. The half-marathon begins at 8:30 a.m., with the 10-kilometre race starting at 8:45 a.m. The five-kilometre race begins at 9 a.m. Entry fees are $20 for the half-marathon and $15 for the other two runs.
To register: www.events.mec.ca/
SEEK THE PEAK
June 12
This 16-kilometre race is a test of physical and mental stamina. It takes runners on a 4,100-foot climb from Ambleside Park in West Vancouver to the top of Grouse Mountain. The race starts at 8:15 a.m. Presented by Grouse Mountain Resorts Ltd., the event will raise funds for the B.C. Cancer Foundation. Fees start at $40.
Details: https://grousemountain.com/events
Tough Mudder
June 18 and 19
Presented by the Merrell outdoor footwear and clothing company, the Tough Mudder happens on a mud-and-obstacles course at the Whistler Olympic Park. The 16- to 20-kilometre route is a fun way to challenge your physical fitness and mental strength. An eight-kilometre version takes place on June 25.
To sign up: toughmudder.com/events/2016-whistler
Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon
June 26
The annual event is described by organizers as Canada’s most scenic half-marathon, taking runners from UBC to Stanley Park. The event also features a family-friendly five-kilometre run along Stanley Park’s Lost Lagoon and trails to the seawall near Second Beach and then English Bay, where it merges with the half-marathon near the mouth of False Creek. The race gives runners the opportunity to donate to charities.
To sign up: www.canadarunningseries.com/svhm/svhmREG.htm
Summerfast
July 16
The 10-kilometre race presented by the Vancouver Falcons Athletic Club takes place in Stanley Park. It starts at 8 a.m. near the Ceperley Meadows playground. From there, runners follow the south side of Lost Lagoon, pass beneath West Georgia Street, make a loop near Coal Harbour, then follow the seawall west and finish where they began. Entry fees are $35 until June 1, $40 between June 2 and July 15, and $50 on race day.
To register: www.summerfast.ca
Buckin’ Hell
July 23
The North Vancouver race takes place in Deep Cove, with choices of 15 kilometres, 50 kilometres, and two-person relay for 50 kilometres. Baden Powell, Dales, Neds, Severed, Old Buck, and Brockton Lookout are popular trails included in the race. Organizer Ridgeline Events describes the 50-kilometre run as one of the most challenging and technical races one can find.
Details: www.coastmountaintrailseries.com
GranFondo Whistler
September 10
The RBC–sponsored GranFondo cycling event covers 122 kilometres from Stanley Park in Vancouver to Whistler. The ride is designed for recreational to advanced cyclists. There are four other event categories: Forte, Medio, Giro, and Alta Classe. The Medio finishes in Squamish for a total of 67 kilometres. All other categories finish in Whistler along Blackcomb Way.
Info: granfondowhistler.com
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