Four Lakes 10k — Garden Bay
9:00 am Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
2009 Results — 2009 Photo Gallery
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.
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 towards Sechelt.
Once on 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). 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 to the beach area from there (about 150m). Registration will be beside the gazebo, or under it in case of rain.
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 on Garden Bay Road (look for the Petro-Can). Go 5.5km to Katherine Lake Park. See directions above.
Course
Course will be signed and coned, with marshals at key intersections. Roads are NOT closed to traffic; please yield to cars. There will be 1 water station you hit twice at approximately 3k/7k, with possibly another station at the turnaround point.
New map as of August 20: click image to enlarge. Starting near the beach at Katherine Lake Park, run out to Garden Bay Road and turn right. (Stay on the right side of the road for this one section as you will be turning right again very soon. For the rest of the route please stay on the left side facing traffic.) After running beside Garden Bay Lake for a short distance, turn right onto Irvine's Landing Road. Follow the road past Mixal Lake, climbing imperceptably at first then up a series of 3 moderate hills on the way to Hotel Lake. If you're too warm at this point, there are a couple of nice rope swings into the lake... Turn left onto Hotel Lake Road and follow the road along the shore past the camping area and cottages. About 250m after the road leaves the lake you'll be at the turnaround point (at about 4.5k).
Then head back along Hotel Lake Road the way you came (wave to the other runners!) but not all the way; just before you get back to Irvine's Landing Road, turn left on Pender Landing Road (new subdivision road). There is a challenging steady climb up this road (with tall trees either side) but the view over the crest is well worth it! Trust us. Enjoy a panoramic vista of the waterfront and harbour from high above. You get a nice long downhill on the other side, as the road becomes Kammerle Rd and winds sharply to the right back to Irvine's Landing Road. Turn right on Irvine's Landing Road, zip up a very short hill before rejoining the outbound course as you pass Hotel Lake Road heading back. Nearly all downhill and flat from here, except for the end of Irvine's Landing Road and a couple of short hills on Katherine Lake Road. At the very end, you'll be directed to 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 photo at bottom of page).
Facilities
There are indoor washrooms with showers at Katherine Lake. There is also a portapotty just before the entrance to Katherine Lake Park, on Garden Bay Road (not on the 10k route).
Registration and Fees
Download printable registration form (PDF, 80 KB)
Entry fee: $15 pre-registered; $20 day of event. Cheques payable to Sunshine Coast Athletics. BC Athletics members deduct $3.
4 ways to enter:
- Mail entry form and payment (payable to Sunshine Coast Athletics) to 8155 Westwood Road, Halfmoon Bay BC V0N 1Y1, postmarked by Aug 15
- Fax entry form to 604-885-8849 from Aug 16 to Aug 21, then pay on race day
- Email a PDF file of completed entry form to sca@telus.net from Aug 16 to Aug 21, then pay on race day
- Sign up race day from 7:15 to 8:15am at the gazebo at Katherine Lake Park (but we'd prefer you use method 1, 2 or 3 so we know how many runners to expect!)
Timing and Results
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 & Prizes
After the run, awards will be presented at the gazebo to the top 3 males and females in each of the following age groups: 19&Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Trophies for first male and female overall. We will also give away some nice draw prizes.
Post-run Refreshments
Fresh fruit, cookies and water will be available. 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, at the highway) for excellent salmon burgers and more.
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.
Questions?
Contact Larry or Teresa at 604-885-8849 (Sunshine Coast) / Toll-free 1-877-493-5163, or sca@telus.net.