Race Details

In this section:

Quick facts
Race weekend schedule
New this year
Course map & description
Aid Stations

Timing & Results
Transportation
Gear check
Relay division
Walkers & 3:30+ Runners

"Congratulations to organizers & volunteers — a well run event — especially the logistics for the day trippers! The bus service from & to the ferry made it a 'no worries' event to participate in. Thanks!"
- Andrew Parr, Vancouver

Quick Facts 2009

race in progress

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Race Weekend Schedule 2009 (to be confirmed)

Thursday, April 2

 4pm—8pm: early Package Pickup option for non-Sunshine Coast residents at location TBD in Vancouver. New registrations also taken.

Saturday, April 4

2pm—6pm: Package Pickup, Late Registration and mini Expo at the Gibsons Community Centre, on Park Road (for all registrants not yet picked up)

6pm: Pasta Dinner at location TBA in Gibsons

Sunday, April 5

7:20am: Ferry leaves Horseshoe Bay for Langdale (must catch this one if travelling on race day)

7:30-8:45am: Package Pickup, Late Registration and Gear Check at Gibsons Community Centre on Park Road

7:30-8:45am: Timing Chip Pickup at Gibsons Community Centre (NO CHIP = NO TIME)

8:00am: Walkers and 3:15+ runners Early Start

8:10am: Buses leave ferry terminal, take passengers to start area

9:00am: Main race start

11:15am-12:45pm: Awards ceremony and prize pickup in Davis Bay (near finish line)

10:45am-12:45pm: Buses head back to Gibsons from Davis Bay

11:20am: Bus to 12:20 ferry leaves Davis Bay

1:55pm: Bus leaves Cedars Inn for ferry terminal

4:30pm, 6:30pm, 8:20pm: later ferries leaving Langdale for Horseshoe Bay.

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What's new for 2009

What will be the same as previous years:

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Course Map 2009

New map coming soon for 2009! Some changes since 2008 to the start, first 5k and finish line. The rest stays the same.

Course Description

(See photo tour here.) The Start will be on Park Road beside the Community Centre — proceed north on Park Road to Reed, turn left on Reed, then left on Payne Road. Straight down Payne past IGA and across the highway continuing down Pratt Road.

Turn right on Chaster Road, then right again at Cedar Grove Elementary School driveway. Continue to the back of the school, run alongside the playing field, then climb gently up a short path/trail which leads to Hough Road. Small downhill then flat along Hough, going straight through at the other end onto another short but wide path which ends at Fitchett. Left on Fitchett (starting to climb), then right onto Veterans (climbing more here). Crest the hill on Veterans and continue downhill to the highway, where you will turn left and head towards Roberts Creek. The first aid station and Relay exchange are at the end of Veterans.

Stay on the highway for less than a mile before turning left onto the very scenic and rural Lower Road (curves right at the beginning).

Down the big "cemetery hill" on Lower RoadLower Road drops down a major 3-part hill then runs approximately parallel to the Highway right into Roberts Creek. While cruising along the forested road, you may catch a glimpse of the unique metal sculptures of Axel Stenzel at his home studio, and a beautiful ravine garden, both on your right. Much of this stretch is flat or slightly downhill. The second relay exchange and aid station are past past Joe Road, about the midpoint of Lower Road. This is near the halfway point.

Upon reaching the heart of Roberts Creek make a short LEFT turn onto Roberts Creek Road followed by a quick RIGHT onto Beach Avenue. Though you will be tempted, try not to stop for a bite at the funky Gumboot Garden Cafe or a snack at the Roberts Creek General Store. You can always come back and do this later! Wind gradually uphill past the beautiful beachfront properties, then slightly downhill until you reach Marlene Road, where you will find the third aid station. Then turn right and head uphill to the highway. The bottom of Marlene is a steep but short hill, before rising more gently up to meet the highway. The third relay exchange is at the TOP of Marlene.

Turn left on the highway and continue towards Sechelt, heading slightly uphill for a bit, then fly DOWN the nice big long hill. This hill is known to locals as 'Rat Portage Hill' for reasons unsure to us. Just after the downhill is complete you'll find the fourth aid station at Jack Road. A good place to hydrate before you start your final push to the finish line.

There's one last little incline before a final descent to the flats of Wilson Creek. Start to pick up the pace here as you're nearing the finish line — it's pancake flat to the end! Depending on how hard you're working, you may notice the breathtaking scenery of Davis Bay. Pretty at any time of year, this spot is very popular in the summer with its sandy beach and seaside promenade. The pier, hotels and restaurants are a short distance beyond the finish line.

The new finish line will be at the south end of Davis Bay, either in the long parking lot by the beach or in the new Mission Point park property (to be confirmed later).

Refreshments will be available right at the finish. There are also indoor washrooms with change cubicles.

Sorry, this course is not suitable for wheelchairs. No dogs, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, strollers, or headphones allowed on the course, for safety reasons. No baby joggers on the Leg 3 or Leg 4 portions of the course (after second exchange zone) — Legs 1 and 2 okay (must start at the back if Leg 1). This is due to Leg 3 and Leg 4 being on the highway and/or narrow roads in Roberts Creek.

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Aid Stations

Aid stations will be located at approximately 5k, 10k (with the first two relay exchanges), 15k and 18k. Each of the aid stations will have 1 portapotty. Canadian Springs water and Gleukos All-Natural Sports Drink will be available at each station. Gleukos is a fantastic performance beverage that works like an IV to quickly get energy into your bloodstream—using glucose, enhanced with electrolytes. Used by triathlete Simon Whitfield and others. Ask your local running store for Gleukos so you can train with it before the race. On the Sunshine Coast, Gleukos is available at MarketPlace IGA in Gibsons.

Gleukos products

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Timing & Results

results posted

In 2009 the race will again be timed by Race Headquarters using the ChampionChip timing system. There will be a display clock at the finish line. Results will be posted at the finish area and online on race day.

Please note the following:

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Transportation

See Visitor Info for transportation from ferry to start line.

Start and finish: There's plenty of parking at the Gibsons Community Centre at the start. After finishing, school buses will take you back to the start and the ferry terminal, free of charge. Multiple trips will be made starting at 10:50am or when each bus is full. One bus, leaving at 11:20, will meet up with the 12:20 ferry, if you really must rush back to the Lower Mainland.

If you need to return at a different time, public transit is available for $2.25 per adult. Buses leave Sechelt approximately every hour. Travel time is approximately 30-35 minutes to Gibsons (alternating trips go through Roberts Creek). For the complete bus schedule click here (new window).

Or, you may be able to catch a ride with other participants whose family and friends are driving them back to Gibsons.

If you choose to park at the finish line before the race and bus back to the start, you will have to catch the 7:20am bus in Davis Bay which arrives in Gibsons at 7:46am (next bus doesn't arrive until after 9:30—too late!). Parking is available along the waterfront PAST the finish area and on Whitaker Road. No parking between Whitaker and Westley, on the highway.

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Gear Check

Give us your clearly marked bag at packet pickup near the start line and we will transport it to the finish for you free of charge. We will provide extra bags if you don't have your own. Your bib tear-off is your baggage tag (with your bib #), which we will attach to your bag. Put some warm sweats into the bag so you'll have them at the finish line. Do not check valuables. If you are a foot passenger and have no alternative, we suggest asking another participant with a secure vehicle to lock up your wallet, keys, etc.

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Relay Division

Teams of 2 or 4 can run the April Fool's Run as a relay, exchanging at fixed points along the course. Full details here.

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Walkers & 3:15+ Runners

8:00am start time

Walkers and slower runners welcome! Be sure to register in the early start so we can assign your bib number accordingly: select a predicted time of over 3hr 15min when entering online, or check the "3:15+ (8am start)" box on the printed entry forms. Full details here.

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