Event Information 2013
In a hurry? Check out the all new Fool's Guide to the Fool's Run. It just might be all you need.
On this page: Race Day Details
More Event Info:
“Really beautiful course and a fun race. Well organized too. Great shirts, medals, fast results, friendly volunteers, all the details were seamless. Great work, and I'll run this one again, FOR SURE!” — Zahida Jaffer, North Vancouver
Start Times & Location
- Regular Start: 9:30am NEW!
- Early Start (walkers & 3hr+ runners): 8:30am NEW!
- Race Morning Check-in: Gibsons & Area Community Centre, 700 Park Road, Gibsons
- Start Line: 300m north of the community centre on Park Road
- Finish Line: Mission Point Park, Davis Bay (Sechelt)
New Features in 2013
- Later start time to make it easier for those travelling race day
- Enhanced support from Title Sponsor BMO Bank of Montreal
- Discounts for those who referred new runners to the event in 2012
- No charge for buses from ferry to start
- Free shuttle to relay exchanges and finish line
- 'ASK ME' volunteers with signs at finish line
- Free post-race massage service
- More efficient distribution of finish line food
- Gourmet bite-sized cookies from Wheatberries Bakery
- Scones to go with the soup, from Ty's Bistro
- More kids (40) in the SC Network Kids' Jester Dash presented by Pastimes
- More 'FIT Fool In Training' merchandise options
- Bigger cash prize purse
- Newly designed age group prizes by local pottery artisan
What we continue to offer:
- Rural scenery and small-town friendliness
- Easy and affordable online registration with no processing fee added; discounts for Seniors and Youth
- Beautiful sublimated tech shirt in men's and women's styles
- BMO running gloves for everyone
- Free gear check
- TV coverage by Coast TV
- Special rates at the Cedars Inn and other local accommodation
- Pledge of Sustainability: see Green Page
- Traffic cones marking the entire course
- Every km clearly marked, plus first mile, halfway & 400m to go
- Finisher's medal with option to personalize with engraved tab
- Professional finish line race announcer and DJ
- Individual race photos
- Hot soup and other goodies at the finish
- Free shuttle buses from the finish back to Gibsons and ferry
- Great draw prizes
Gear Check
Bring your bag to the Gibsons Community Centre on race morning and we will transport it to the finish area for you, for free. Remember it's early April — unless you're from Antarctica, you'll be wanting dry clothes and warm outerwear at the finish line. Do not check valuables.
Please bring your own SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED bag. A backpack or sports bag works nicely (like your 'carry-on' bag when flying). We will also have some plastic bags available, if you just have a few loose items to check.
Volunteers have the right to refuse bags that are unreasonably large or heavy. No luggage or duffle bags — pack light! If you have lots of stuff with you, make arrangements to leave most of it in a vehicle at the start, or in your hotel — only check what you'll need at the finish line.
- Use your bib tear-off (bottom strip) as your baggage tag — it will have your bib # on it. Staple it around your bag handle — either at home or at the Gear Labelling table on race morning in Room 209, between 8:00 and 9:20am.
- If you need to stash your bag while you warm up, and access it again before the start, you can leave it at the Gear Labelling table temporarily, then reclaim it before 9:20am and check it onto the vans (see below). After 9:20am, any bags not collected will be checked onto the mini-vans.
- When you're ready to check your bag, bring it to the volunteers at the mini-vans parked just outside Room 209, no later than 9:25am. You'll be heading to the start line by then anyway.
- After your run, claim your bag at Mission Point House (just beyond and to the right of the finish line). You'll be required to show your bib number. You can get changed inside the heated Rotary building at the Davis Bay Beach parking lot.
See finish line map, top left
Aid Stations
Aid stations will be located at 5.5k, 11k, 15k and 18.5k. Each of the aid stations will have 1 portapotty, plus one extra portapotty at the 3rd relay exchange. Canadian Springs water and orange Gatorade will be offered at each station by our enthusiastic volunteers.
Medical Support
Medical support will be on hand pre-race, on course and at the finish line. Pre-race and on-course support coordinated and provided by Kellei Baker of BC First Aid. All medical support staff will have a print out of everyone's medical information as submitted when registering (now you know why we ask for it!).
Toilet Facilities
There are plenty of indoor toilets at the Gibsons Community Centre at the start. On course, you'll find one portapotty at each aid station plus one at the third relay exchange (top of Marlene Rd). There will be two more at the finish line. Public indoor washrooms/changerooms are also within 150m of the finish (in the Rotary building at the beach parking lot).
Course Restrictions
Sorry, this course is not suitable for wheelchairs. No dogs, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards or strollers allowed on the course, for safety reasons.
Baby joggers are allowed on the Leg 1 and Leg 2 relay portions only. This is due to Legs 3 and 4 being on the highway and/or narrow roads in Roberts Creek. You must start at the back if doing Leg 1 with a baby jogger.
Headphones/iPods are very strongly discouraged, but if you believe you can't run without music, keep the volume very low or use one ear only. You MUST be able to hear course marshals, other participants, and approaching vehicles. If you fail to respond to verbal warnings/instructions by a race official, you could be disqualified. We're not trying to be mean — this is for everyone's safety! Just like anywhere else, there are some crazy drivers on the Sunshine Coast. Also if you are in the early start you need to hear when runners are coming up behind you, and give them room to pass safely.
For more information please read BC Athletics' Road Race Etiquette Guidelines.
Timing & Results
In 2013 the race will again be timed by Race Headquarters/Sportstats using the ChampionChip timing system. There will be a display clock at the finish line. Results will be posted at Mission Point House (in the park) and online on race day.
Please note the following:
- There is no start chip mat. This allows for a wide start line so everyone will be across it in a very short time. We do not record net chip times in our event, only official gun times. Please wear your sports watch and use the chrono feature if you'd like to record your net time. The difference will be no more than 30 seconds, unless you're late getting to the start!
- Both starts (regular and early) will be chip timed.
- Relays: only the runner completing the last leg wears the chip.
- Attach your chip to your shoe using the zap strap provided or your shoelaces. NO CHIP = NO RESULT! You may keep or recycle your timing chip (it's single-use).
- Only registered runners who are completing the course may enter the finish area. If you stop running and get a ride to the finish line, DO NOT CROSS THE FINISH LINE. Relay team-mates: do NOT run in with your final runner! Our manual back-up results will be messed up if you do. Find a spot on the sidelines and CHEER instead.
Finisher's Medal with Insert Option
A high-quality, commemorative April Fool's Run Finisher's Medal will be given to each individual and relay team (each team member receives a medal) completing the Half Marathon. We have incorporated some fun artwork from an early edition finisher's certificate into the design. Silver with printed blue and white neck ribbon. Click image to enlarge.
Personalize your finisher's medal with our insert option!
For just $5 you can get a personalized insert for your medal with your name and official finishing time laser-engraved — fits neatly into a frame on the back! Order when registering or, if already registered, via our extras order page, or during late registration/packet pickup, and it will be mailed to you two weeks after the race. Order deadline is April 14th. Comes with a self-adhesive backing. Click image to enlarge. Not exactly as shown (computer generated image).
Individual Race Photos
Leo Lam was out on course taking pictures of AFR participants. You can search by bib number and order your images online — a great memento of your race!
Suncoast Photography took individual photos on course and at the finish line. You can find your photos by bib number and order prints or digital.
Looking for last year's? Search for your 2012 photos here.
Weather
Weather on the Sunshine Coast in early April is variable but moderate. In recent years, race morning has ranged from a crisp dry 5-7°C to a balmy 16°C with sunshine, to a typical west coast 10°C and rain. In 2012 we woke up to snow and finished in mild sunshine! The odds of dry conditions are good — it rained on the race only three times in the past 12 years.
Your best bet is to come prepared for a range of conditions and check the local forecast (see below) as close to start time as possible. And note, Sechelt is usually warmer than Gibsons by a few degrees, with less precipitation.
If you can't view the above weather badges (Flash-based), use the following direct links from Environment Canada: 5-day forecast for Gibsons; 5-day forecast for Sechelt
Future race dates:
April 6, 2014
April 12, 2015
April 3, 2016