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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. This year there are three bike events and two runs over four weekends in September — not counting the Samurai of Singletrack, which is closed to the public, and regular events like the WORCA Loonie races.

 

West Side Wheel Up — Saturday, Sept. 8

This is the 14 th annual West Side Wheel Up bike race, and it will be similar to past years.

The race starts at the entrance to Function and follows the Millar Creek Road to Alta Lake Road and the entrance to Lower Sproatt. 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 Muni Trail to Bob’s Rebob, and A River Runs Through It.

About twice the length of a Loonie Race, the fastest riders can actually finish in less than an hour and average times are around an hour and a half.

The highlight of the event is the post race barbecue and party, with free 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 event director Phil Chew.

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

To take part, register at the entrance to Function Junction from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 8. 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.

 

Sea 2 Summit — Sept. 8-9

LOOKING FOR INFO, MAY HAVE BEEN CANCELLED

 

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.

Most of the information is still being kept under wraps at this point, but it will include trails in and around the Soo Valley, and will cost $15 to enter.

More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

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.

 

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 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 .