The Sunshine Coast (click for map) is located north of Vancouver, BC, Canada, just 40 minutes by ferry and a world away. A high concentration of artists and musicians combined with the spectacular natural setting and recreation opportunities give the region its special character. Come and explore!
Ferry Travellers
For those coming from the Lower Mainland on race day, you will need to take the 7:20 am ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale (schedules).* Do not miss this sailing as the next one is 2 hours later.
We highly recommend travelling before race day and staying overnight, as the ferries have been known 'on occasion' to run late, break down or cancel a sailing. Travelling early will eliminate the possibility of missing your race due to ferry anomalies. In case of late or missing sailings, we cannot delay the start by more than 30 minutes.
The ride is approximately 45 minutes (including a weekly 'man overboard' drill on this sailing) and the cost for the round trip as of April 1st, 2010 will be $12.60 per adult, $6.30 per child (5-11), $42.40 per underheight vehicle. (You don't pay on the way back to Horseshoe Bay, and children under 5 are free.) TIP: Get a BC Ferries 'Experience Card' and pre-load it to get big savings on fares (approx 22%). You'll be coming back for another visit soon, after all!
*Schedule and fares subject to change. Check BC Ferries website for latest information before travelling. Note: credit cards and cash accepted at ferry terminal and on ferry, no Interac.
GET FREE FERRY TRAVEL: As the 2010 April Fool's Run is a BC Championship event, BC Athletics competitive members (Junior, Senior or Masters) can apply for a 'Sporting Life on the Coast' voucher which covers your ferry costs (vehicle and passenger fares). See Sport BC website for details and application. You must apply at least 2 weeks in advance.
The Langdale terminal is less than 10 minutes by car from the start. See driving directions.
The ferry ride is very scenic with views of Bowen and Gambier Islands and the coastal mountains. The ship (click for profile) is a large "C class" vessel with full service cafeteria, gift shop, snack bar. Capacity 360 vehicles, 1494 passengers & crew.
From Powell River
For those coming from Powell River and area, you must travel the day before the race as there is no Sunday ferry early enough to get you to the start before 9:00AM. Sailing time is 50 minutes, driving time from Earl's Cove to Gibsons approximately 1 hr 15 mins. Click here for schedule. The vessel is the Island Sky.
Driving directions from Langdale ferry terminal
The direct route (about 7 minutes): Upon leaving the ferry terminal, go straight at the first set of lights and head up the big hill with the main traffic. Turn left at the top (the main route) and then right again after a short downhill (follow the traffic). Now you are on North Road.
Keep going until you reach the traffic lights at Gibsons Way / Sunshine Coast Highway, then turn right. After you pass Sunnycrest Mall, turn immediately right at the Chevron (traffic light). Go to the end of this short access road and turn left to enter the Gibsons Community Centre parking lot. You'll see the centre ahead to your left. Plenty of parking is available at the Centre.
If you miss the turn at the Chevron, take the next right which is Park Road. This takes you to the Community Centre from the other side.
Race package pickup etc. this year will be in Room 219A-B (enter from the lobby). See photo tour.
The tourist route (about
10 minutes): From the ferry get into the left lane and turn left at
the first lights, onto Marine Drive. Follow this into Gibsons Landing,
just over 3 km. You will see the famous "Molly's Reach" from
The Beachcombers straight ahead as you near the shops.
After passing Molly's Reach and going up the short hill, turn right at the intersection (you're the only one without a stop sign at this 3-way stop, but watch for pedestrians) onto Gibsons Way. Follow this up the hill and eventually it becomes the Sunshine Coast Highway.
In Upper Gibsons, turn right at the Chevron or Park Road as instructed above for 'the direct route'.
Foot Passengers & Buses
If you wish to leave your car in Horseshoe Bay and travel as a foot passenger, you can take public transit from Langdale to Gibsons at a cost of $2.25 pp. You'll have to pay for parking at Horseshoe Bay.
On race morning, a private bus (school bus) will also be available to take passengers to the start @ $2.25 pp.
Board the
bus immediately after getting off the boat—the bus stop is at the
end of the passenger walkway. A race volunteer will be there to
ensure everyone gets on a bus. On race morning, the public bus leaves at 8:10am
and will get you to the start area by 8:25am. Get off the bus at the closest stop to Park Road in
Gibsons (400m past Sunnycrest Mall). Private bus will be a few minutes faster, so if you already have your race kit, please choose
the public bus, giving private bus priority to those who haven't got their kits or registered yet.
Other Transportation
Sea-planes and helicopters can be chartered to Sechelt and Gibsons. If you're coming from Vancouver Island in a small group, this is economical and very quick, cutting about 6 hours from your travel time each way.
For a list of local charter companies and other helpful info check out this page on Big Pacific: www.bigpacific.com/about/gethere.html, which includes private water taxi service.
Shuttle service: Sunshine Coast Shuttle is available for hotel, ferry, airline transfer or general transport, up to 21 passenger capacity. Can shuttle one or more persons at a time. Call 604-740-0703 or email semac@dccnet.com.
Accommodation
We highly recommend travelling on Friday or Saturday (for scheduled sailings see BC Ferries website) and staying overnight. Your race morning will be much more relaxed (you can sleep longer!), and you will get a chance to explore the area.
Official Race Hotel
Our race hotel, The Cedars Inn Hotel & Convention Centre is about 400m from the run start. Conveniently located on Gibsons Way opposite Sunnycrest Mall, the Cedars Inn has large well-appointed rooms, heated outdoor pool (open all winter!), hot tub, sauna and fitness room. "The Home of Hospitality", this is the best place to stay in Gibsons for the Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run. See hotel website for more details. To book, call 1-888-774-7044, or email info@thecedarsinn.com, or use the online booking form at www.thecedarsinn.com. Book early, rooms fill up fast!
Room Rates 2010
April Fool's Run participants with accompanying friends and family get a discount from the already very reasonable room rates—just mention the
April Fool's promotion when booking. Note most rooms are non-smoking, but specify to be sure. Free parking.
$89 Standard room + tax
Kitchenette add $5
Sponsoring B&B's
Up the Creek Backpackers' B & B
In Roberts Creek (10 min drive from race start). Great house, owned by runner/cyclist, and there's a hot tub! Free transportation from UTC to race start and return after finish. Special rates for Fools Run participants. Visit www.upthecreek.ca or call 1-877-885-8100. Located at 1261 Roberts Creek Road, Roberts Creek.
Davis Bay Bed & Breakfast
The perfect getaway location — located right in front of the finish line! Situated across from beautiful Davis Bay Beach with stunning views of the Georgia Strait and convenient proximity to downtown Sechelt. This adult oriented B&B is tastefully decorated for your comfort and enjoyment. Each suite has spanning views of the ocean and access to outdoor seating on the deck. Beautifully landscaped, roses bloom throughout the gardens and a goldfish pond is tucked away in the backyard oasis. Visit www.davisbaybedandbreakfast.com or call 1-866-885-5404.
At The Shore B&B
'Luxury Waterfront Bed and Breakfast Sanctuary' — A peaceful and tranquil waterfront B&B in Sechelt waits for you on the western shore of Porpoise Bay at the south end of Sechelt Inlet. Drink in the view of treed hills across the Bay and distant snow-capped mountains up the Inlet. The air is so quiet you'll hear wind passing under the wings of eagles as they glide by. One of the owners is a runner! Visit www.attheshore.ca or call 1-877-740-9962. Located at 6394 Gale Avenue North, Sechelt.
Other Recommended Accommodation
Sunshine Lodge
679 North Road, Gibsons (around the corner from Sunnycrest Mall). Recently renovated, spacious rooms with large bathrooms. Fireplaces, kitchenettes, late check-out (noon) upon request. Ample free parking and free wireless internet. Reserve online or call 1-604-886-3321. Mention the April Fool's Run to get a discounted rate.
The Ritz Inn
505 Gower Point Road in Gibsons Landing. Large, fully equipped studio suites with coffee-maker, plus complimentary continental breakfast available for every guest. Or bring your own food and make your breakfast, lunch or dinner, in the kitchenette. Visit www.ritzinn.com or call toll-free 1-800-649-1138. Be sure to mention "April Fool's Run" to get special discounted rates.
For additional accommodation and tourism listings, see the following links:
Sunshine Coast Bed & Breakfast, Cottage Owners' Association
The Sunshine Coast / BigPacific.com
Suggested Activities
There's so much to see and do on the Sunshine Coast you'll want to arrive early and plan on staying for a while after the race, too. First, check out the slide show below for a tour of the Sunshine Coast, by Duane Robert Burnett.
Take a peaceful walk (or easy "day
before" warm-up run) on Saturday through the well-marked rainforest paths of
Cliff Gilker Park in Roberts Creek, where cascading waterfalls, old growth
trees, interesting plants and birds abound. An escape from
civilization, just minutes from Gibsons.
After working up an appetite in the trails, head down to the cozy Gumboot Garden Café or the Gumboot Restaurant, both in the heart of Roberts Creek (you'll be running by them near the half-way point of the race) for some made-from-scratch organic food—nothing microwaved! Gaze at the interesting people and local art on display in the café while you imagine yourself cruising along the road into Davis Bay…
In Gibsons Landing,
take a stroll down the public dock to the impressive Wharfinger building, along the pier to the
gazebo with views of harbour, mountains and seaside village. Check out
Molly's Lane (behind Molly's Reach, of course) and the village shops
along the main street for unique and interesting giftware and clothing.
Don't miss the galleries with works by local artisans. Everything's
within a short distance so your running legs won't get tired. See
www.gibsonslandingbc.com
for more information.
When you get hungry you can sit down for a quick bite at Truffles (superb soups), or treat yourself to some home-made gelato at Mike's Place. For a full meal head to the Waterfront Restaurant, with terrific ocean view and mouthwatering entrées & desserts, or Leo's Tapas & Grill for delicious Greek cuisine. If you are into Japanese food (don't try anything new before the race, though!), Opa is the place to go for fine dining overlooking the harbour. For more casual eats head to Bayview Szechuan Chinese Restaurant for tasty large portions served quickly (no MSG)—eat-in or take-out.
Other Helpful Links
- Gibsons Landing Business Association: www.gibsonslandingbc.com
- Town of Gibsons website: www.gibsons.ca
- Sechelt Chamber of Commerce www.secheltchamber.bc.ca
- Vancouver Coast and Mountains tourism region: www.coastandmountains.com
Weather Conditions
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 degrees (Celsius) to a balmy 16° with sunshine, to a typical west coast 10 degrees and rain. The odds of sunshine seem high, as it rained on the race only three times in the past nine years. Your best bet is to come prepared for a range of conditions and check the local forecast (see below) as close to race morning as possible. And note, Sechelt is usually warmer than Gibsons by a few degrees.
Environment Canada:
5-day forecast for Gibsons;
5-day forecast for Sechelt
Note! The above current conditions from both the Weather Network and Environment Canada could be based on marine conditions. Land conditions are often warmer and drier!