Four Lakes 10k — Garden Bay
Plus 3k Family Fun Run/Walk
9:00 am Sunday, August 12th, 2012
Welcome to the Four Lakes 10k on the Sunshine Coast of BC! This run starts and finishes at Katherine Lake Park (in Pender Harbour), going past Garden Bay Lake and Mixal Lake on the way to Hotel Lake, then back (see map). The route is tranquil with gorgeous lake views and long shady sections. Hosted by Sunshine Coast Athletics; sanctioned by BC Road Running. There is also a 3k Family Fun Run/Walk (not timed) starting and finishing in the same place — so bring the whole family (but not your dog) and make a day of it!
Online registration is now open!
- How to register
- Confirm your registration
- Location, camping and motel info
- Course description and map
- Timing, awards and post-run refreshments
- Results and photos
How to Register
Entry Fees: SAVE $5 in the 10k by pre-registering!
10k: $15 pre-registered; $20 day of event. BC Athletics 'athlete' members deduct $3.
3k: $5 individual; $12 family (parents & children under 18).
3 ways to enter:
- Register online for the 10k Run or 3k Family Fun Run/Walk until 6:00pm Saturday August 11. Secure online payment with instant confirmation. Multiple entries can be submitted with one credit card payment.
- Mail entry form and payment — (payable to Sunshine Coast Athletics) to 7838 Redrooffs Road, Halfmoon Bay BC V0N 1Y1, postmarked by Aug 1st. Download printable registration form (PDF, 90 KB)
- Sign up race day from 7:45 to 8:30am at the gazebo at Katherine Lake Park (but we'd prefer you pre-register so we know how much food to bring!)
Bib # Pickup
Pick up your bib number on race morning from 7:45 to 8:45am at the gazebo at Katherine Lake Park.
Confirm Your Registration
10k Confirmation | 3k Confirmation
Location
(click map to enlarge) To get to the start: From Vancouver, head to Horseshoe Bay in West Van, take the ferry to the Sunshine Coast / Langdale (before race day; first morning ferry won't get you there on time). Follow signs to take the main highway route through Upper Gibsons and towards Sechelt.
From the Lower Sunshine Coast, head up the highway to Pender Harbour, past Madeira Park to Garden Bay Road (at the Petro-Can). Turn left onto Garden Bay Road and go 5.5km to Katherine Lake Park (look for sign). Turn right and go about 400m to the parking area. There is no parking at the end of the road; see parking info below.
Coming from Powell River: you can take the first ferry on race day which gets you to Earl's Cove by 8:15am. Drive down the SC Highway about 15km and turn right at the Petro-Can onto Garden Bay Road. Go 5.5km to Katherine Lake Park (look for sign). Turn right and go about 400m to the parking area. There is no parking at the end of the road; see parking info below.
Please don't make excessive noise at the registration area as campers will still be sleeping! This is also why we ask that you not drive to the end of the road and out again.
Parking
Park in the public parking area up the hill on your right across from the group camping area (look for parking sign) and walk in from there to the beach area (about 150m). Registration will be beside the gazebo, or under it in case of rain.
Facilities
There are indoor washrooms with showers at Katherine Lake, a short distance above the gazebo. There is also a washroom at the parking lot. No toilets on the race route but lots of forest in the middle section...
Camping
If you really want to be close to the start, consider camping at Katherine Lake Park the night before. Reservations recommended: (604) 883-9557. There are 26 RV spots and 10 campsites.
Hotels
There's a nice looking motel on the highway just south of Garden Bay Road called Stonewater (13483 SC Hwy). As of Saturday around noon they had vacancies. Tel: 604-883-0046.
Course
For everyone's safety and comfort, please leave your dog at home. No dogs allowed at beach area of Katherine Lake Park. No bicycles, skateboards, roller blades or roller skates allowed on course. Jogging/running strollers welcome on both routes; other types of baby strollers okay on 3k route only, though be aware that half of the 3k route is unpaved.
Since the course is not closed to traffic, please do NOT wear headphones. You need to be able to hear approaching vehicles and instructions from marshals.
10k — 9am: Course will be marked with bright yellow signs and flour arrows at corners, with marshals at critical road crossings. Roads are NOT closed to traffic; please yield to cars like you would on a training run. There will be 2 water stations, each passed twice (total 4 opportunities to get water).
Click map to enlarge. For interactive map with elevation profile, click here. Starting near the beach at Katherine Lake Park, run out to Garden Bay Road and turn right. You will be directed across the road to the left side, facing traffic. Run beside Garden Bay Lake for about 800m to the first turnaround point. Course marshals will be there to warn traffic as you cross the road and head back in the opposite direction.
When you get back to Irvine's Landing Road turn left. Follow the flat to mildly undulating road past Mixal Lake, then continue to Hotel Lake via a series of 3 moderate hills, separated by flat stretches. If you're too warm when you reach the lake, there are a couple of nice rope swings... Turn left onto Hotel Lake Road and follow the road along the shore past the camping area and cottages. At the end of the lakefront portion you'll be at the second turnaround point, marked with a large cone and sign.
Now head back along Hotel Lake Road and Irvine's Landing Road, the same way you came but in reverse and on the opposite side of the road (wave to the other runners!). Turn left onto Garden Bay Road and then left again at Katherine Lake Road. It's nearly all downhill and flat from Hotel Lake, except for the very end of Irvine's Landing Road and a couple of short hills on Katherine Lake Road. At the very end, follow the cones into the path at your left before the crest of the last hill, to finish just below the gazebo. The beach is right there for a cool dip (see photos at top and bottom of page).
3k Fun Run/Walk — 9:05am: Starting 5 minutes after the 10k group at Katherine Lake Park, head out to Garden Bay Road (same as the 10k route) and turn right. STAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD (with traffic) as you will be turning right soon. After a short distance along Garden Bay Road, veer right onto Irvine's Landing Road, crossing over to the left side facing traffic (course marshal will help with crossing). You'll be on the 10k route now, so be aware that 10k runners might be coming up behind you. Follow this road about 500m to the water station (cross the road safely) and then head back the way you came, staying on the left side facing traffic. Finish line is just below the gazebo at Katherine Lake Park. This event is a fun run/walk only — no times or results will be recorded. Distance is approximate. If you take longer than 30 minutes, watch for 10k runners coming up behind you at the finish and please stay to your right.
Timing and Results
10k times will be recorded with a professional printer-timer device. Display clock will be set up at the finish line. Please make sure your bib number is clearly visible on your front. Final results to be posted on this website by the end of race day.
Awards (10k) & Prizes
After the run, custom race medals will be presented at the gazebo to the top 3 male and female finishers in the 10k in each of the following age groups: 19&Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Both 10k and 3k participants have a chance to win draw prizes, including running gear from AVID Fitness, and beach toys for the kids.
Post-run Refreshments
Fresh fruit, home baked goodies, Gatorade and water will be available at the finish. We recommend bringing a picnic lunch and staying at the lake for a while (either Katherine Lake or one of the other lakes on the route). Or, stop at the Crossroad Grill on your way home (at the start of Garden Bay Road, across the highway from the Petro-Can) for excellent salmon burgers and more. There's an ice cream stand there too!
Results & Photos
Questions?
Contact Larry or Teresa at 604-885-8849 (Sunshine Coast) / Toll-free 1-877-493-5163, or sca@telus.net.