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Month of Pain returns to Whistler

Bike, run and adventure races throughout September

There are a lot of reasons why event planners pick September to run some of the biggest races in Whistler: the weather is good, the holidays are over, people are feeling fit after a summer of activities. In 2006, looking at all of the events taking place, Tourism Whistler officially promoted September as the Month of Pain.

That name has stuck among locals even if the official promotion has stopped. This month there are three bike events and three runs over three weekends — not counting the Samurai of Singletrack, which was closed to the public this year, and regular events like the WORCA Loonie races. The annual Sea 2 Summit adventure race has been cancelled this year, but another mountain bike event has been added to the calendar to round out the month.

It’s possible, if difficult, to do all of the races, and participants in multiple races will be recognized by Pique at the end of the month.

 

West Side Wheel Up — Saturday, Sept. 8

This is the 14 th annual West Side Wheel Up bike race, a classic race that is about twice the length of a Loonie Race and follows a selection of trails on Whistler’s west side.

The race starts at the entrance to Function and follows the Millar Creek Road to Alta Lake Road and the entrance to Lower Sproatt trail. From there the course circles Beaver Lake trail, then climbs back up through Kadenwood to Upper and Lower Beaver Pass. After climbing back up Whip Me Snip Me, riders will make their way on the Rainbow Trail to Bob’s Rebob, and the full length A River Runs Through It.

The fastest riders generally finish in around an hour and average times are roughly an hour and a half.

The highlight of the event is the post-race barbecue and party, with food and refreshments for participants.

The cost is $20 to enter, which includes the party and a ticket to the raffle. Once again the top prize is a season pass donated by Whistler-Blackcomb, with other prizes donated by local hotels, restaurants and retailers. Other raffle tickets will also be available at sign-on and at the after-party.

The event is a fundraiser for the B.C. Disabled Ski Team, which is coached by West Side Wheel Up event director Phil Chew.

The Wheel Up is one of Whistler’s oldest races, started by Les Clare to wrap up the riding season on a high note.

To take part, register at the entrance to Function Junction from 10 a.m. to noon; the race gets underway at noon. You need to be a member of the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) to race, and memberships will be available at the start.

 

Loop The Lakes — Sept. 9

This running race is based at Alice Lake in Squamish, and there are both 8 and 15 km courses available that follow part of the Four Lakes Trail. It’s trail running, but for the most part the route is not that technical.

The cost is $25 to do the short race, and $30 for the longer course. Juniors under 19 can race for $15.

There is no day of race registration, so participants have to sign up online at www.loopthelakes.com.

 

Terry Fox Run — Sept. 16

This is the 27 th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run, which has raised more than $400 million worldwide for cancer research since 1981.

The Whistler event has grown steadily since the arrival of the Four Seasons in Whistler, as the company has been a huge supporter of the Terry Fox Foundation since Fox himself started his bid to cross Canada and raise funds for cancer research.

Recent runs have raised more than $13,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation, with more than 300 walkers, runners and wheelers taking part.

This year’s run will be a little different, starting and finishing at Meadow Park. There will be both 10 km and 5 km routes available, and participation is by donation. The suggested donation is $20, and people who register will receive a tax receipt from the Terry Fox Foundation.

Sign-on is at 9 a.m., and the run gets underway at 10 a.m.

 

Soo Valley Rumble — Sept. 16

This is a new event created by WORCA and Chromag Bikes to bridge the gap between the West Side Wheel Up and Cheakamus Challenge. It will start at the Soo Valley Dam, just up the Soo Valley access road, and finish at the end of Kill Me Thrill Me before heading back to the Edgewater for the after-party.

The ride will be long, including a climb up the Soo to the north Flank trail, No Girly Man, Shit Happens, Big Kahuna, Section 102 and Kill Me Thrill Me. Sign-in starts at 11 a.m., the race starts at noon, and there be a cut-off on course.

The cost of entering will be $15, with $10 from every entry going towards the Terry Fox Foundation. There will also be pledge sheets if people would like to donate more to the local Terry fox Run.

 

24 th annual Cheakamus Challenge — Sept. 23

Riders have a choice between the full 71 km course from Squamish to Whistler, with more than 40 km of trails and singletrack, or a shorter 42 km race that includes all of the technical singletrack. The entry fee is $50 for riders going the full distance, and $40 for the Cheakamus Challenge Lite route sponsored by Pique Newsmagazine.

This is the longest race in Sea to Sky, and with 2,000 metres of climbing and descending it’s also one of the toughest.

For more information and registration, visit www.cheakamuschallenge.ca .

 

Rubble Creek Classic — Sept. 24

This event is hosted by Escape Route and Whistler Running Experience, and is entering its 22 nd year.

The run starts in the Cheakamus Lake Trailhead parking lot with sign-in from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., and a start time of 8 a.m. The course follows the Rubble Creek Trail from the Cheakamus Lake Trail to the Rubble Creek Parking Lot, a distance of roughly 26 km. Runners climb about 900 metres and descend almost 1,300 metres from start to finish, with astonishing views of Garibaldi Park and Black Tusk.

The event is limited to just 85 participants to ease wear and tear on provincial park trails, and you must register before midnight on Sept. 19 to take part. The cost is $35.

For more information, visit www.rubblecreekclassic.com .

This race is also part of the Sea 2 Sky Trail Running Series at www.s2srun.com .