Four Lakes 10k — Garden Bay
Plus 3k Family Fun Run/Walk
9:00 am Sunday, August 22nd, 2010
2010 Results & Photos
2010 Race Report: Cloudy, calm conditions were a welcome contrast from last Sunday's heat wave, for the 3rd annual Four Lakes 10k in Garden Bay. Thirty-two 10k runners and 23 fun run/walkers in the 3k made for a record turnout. Owen Coombes of Sechelt — fastest local in the April Fool's Run for the last 2 years — led the field by over four minutes for the win. Marisa Alps of Halfmoon Bay was the first woman to finish and fifth place overall. A revised course this year eliminated two of the hills from 2009, resulting in faster times for most returning runners. The addition of the 3k Family Walk/Run was enthusiastically received, with many smiles from families and friends aged 2 to 89 walking and running together. Custom wooden age group medals in the 10k, draw prizes for participants and volunteers, and home-baked goodies added to the positive experience.
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!
- How to register
- Location & camping info
- Course description and map — revised for 2010: fewer hills!
- Timing, awards and post-run refreshments
- Results and photos
How to Register
Entry Fees:
10k: $15 pre-registered; $20 day of event. BC Athletics 'athlete' members deduct $3.
3k: $5 individual; $12 family (parents/children).
3 ways to enter:
- Register online until 6:00pm August 21 — now closed
- Mail entry form and payment — now closed
- Sign up race day from 7:45 to 8:45am at the gazebo at Katherine Lake Park
Save time: Download printable registration form (PDF, 90 KB) and bring it filled out on race day.
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, above the beach area. 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.
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 okay 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. 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 (new from last year). 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 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. At the end of the lakefront portion you'll be at the second turnaround point, marked with a large cone and flour arrow on the pavement.
Now head back along Hotel Lake Road and Irvine's Landing Road, the same way you came but in reverse (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, 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).
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 here as you'll be turning right again very soon (for the rest of the route please stay on the left side facing traffic). After a short distance alongside Garden Bay Lake, veer right onto Irvine's Landing Road. When safe (course marshal will help), cross to the left side of the road facing traffic. You'll be on the 10k route now, so be aware that some 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 donated by Trail Bay Source for Sports in Sechelt, and Avid Fitness Center in Powell River.
Post-run Refreshments
Fresh fruit, cookies 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 too!
Results & Photos
Questions?
Contact Larry or Teresa at 604-885-8849 (Sunshine Coast) / Toll-free 1-877-493-5163, or sca@telus.net.