Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Sports Briefs: WORCA announces 'The Beast Enduro'

The Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) has announced the details of the first of two enduro races, taking place on Saturday, June 22. The registration went live on May 22 and is limited to 80 riders at a cost of $40.
sports_upcoming4

The Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) has announced the details of the first of two enduro races, taking place on Saturday, June 22. The registration went live on May 22 and is limited to 80 riders at a cost of $40.

This is an experts-only event, featuring the very steep and technical Gargamel trail. You must be a member of WORCA to take part.

Registration and memberships are available online at www.worca.com.

In other WORCA news, tonight's Toonie Ride (May 23) is a rip up and down the Whistler Mountain Bike Park sponsored by the Garbanzo Bike and Bean. Sign-in is at 5:30 p.m. and the race starts at 6:30 p.m. sharp.

If you haven't registered yet for WORCA, online registration is recommended. You can also sign up in person, but lines can be long.

WORCA's Monday Night Rides get underway on May 27, meeting at the Whistler Bike Co. at 6 p.m. and riding at 6:30 p.m. The rides are non-competitive and groups are divided up by skill level. Experienced riders can learn the trails and find some new riding partners, while beginner and intermediate riders will learn new skills and tackle trails at a safe progression.

The Monday Night Rides are sponsored by Nesters, Bike Co., Back In Action Physio and Los Sombreros — which is also providing refreshments and food specials.

New this year is a Monday Night Ride "Baby Bump" group where new moms and moms-to-be can hook up their chariots and enjoy guided rides on the Valley Trail.

For riders looking to improve their skills, WORCA is opening registration for adult clinics on Saturday, May 25. The clinics run from June 4 to August 29 every Tuesday and Thursday with both morning sessions (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.) and evening sessions (6 to 8 p.m.).

A three-session pass is $66 and five sessions is $110. The Tuesday sessions are for beginners and focus on riding the Zappa Trails in Lost Lake Park, while Thursday's group is for beginner/intermediate level riders and ventures further out.

For more information or registration, visit www.worca.com.

Kids of Steel, Adult Super Sprint triathlons this weekend

With Ironman Canada coming to Whistler for at least the next three years, the Whistler Tri Club's annual Kids of Steel Triathlon and Adult Super Sprint race on Saturday, May 25 takes on a new significance. It's a chance for kids to experience a little of what one of the oldest Ironman races in the world is all about, a chance for adults registered for the race to practice racing and iron out their transitions and a chance for adults contemplating racing in a future Ironman to test themselves on a short, familiar course.

Swim legs are in the pool at Meadow Park Sports Centre, followed by bike legs around Alpine and Alta Lake Road and a relatively flat out-and-back run on the Valley Trail.

There are three different distances for the Kids of Steel Race — Kids 8 to 11 swim 100 metres, bike two kilometres and run one kilometre; kids 12 to 15 swim 300m, bike 10km and run 3km; kids 16 to 18 swim 500m, bike 14km and run 4km.

The adults do the same distances as the 16 to 18 year-olds.

For more information and registration visit www.whistlertriclub.ca. Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help out.

Loop the Lakes trail run on May 25

This Saturday, May 25 is a busy one with triathlons and trail rides, but there's something for trail runners as well. The Squamish Loop the Lakes takes part with three options — a short 8km race, a 15km race and a full 21.1 off-road half marathon. As well, there's a one-kilometre kids race at 10:45 a.m.

The Half Marathon starts at 8 a.m. at Alice Lake, followed by the 15km race at 8:30 a.m. and the 8km race at 9 a.m.

For more information and registration, visit www.challengebychoice.ca/events/loop-the-lakes-trail-race.

Spirit of Sarah Scholarship awarded to Ontario Skier

Carly Lavielle from Orangeville, Ontario, was selected by Momentum Ski Camps for their second annual Spirit of Sarah Scholarship this week. The 15-year-old was a runner-up in the first year, and for 2013 impressed judged with a passionate video entry that included an original song about Sarah Burke.

Burke, who died in January 2012 after sustaining a head and spinal injury, was a female pioneer in freeskiing. She first attended Momentum camps at the age of 14, transitioning in to coaching after four seasons as a student, and never missed a season in 15 years.

Lavielle, who has attended Momentum camps three times before and was actually coached by Burke in her first year, will receive an all-inclusive week of training at Momentum in July. As well, the Sarah Burke Foundation, started by Burke's husband Rory Bushfield to honour her memory, contributed $500 towards Lavielle's flights.

"Sarah Burke is the main reason I am where I am today," said Lavielle. "She always had this inspiring smile on her face and it brought out the best in people. One of the most important things Sarah taught me is how to believe in myself and how never to give up, no matter what."

The judging panel included Bushfield, national halfpipe coach Trennon Paynter and camp director John Smart.

Upcoming Events:

June 1 — North Face Whistler Half Marathon — The event is completely sold out this year, including the new 10-kilometre category and the one-kilometre Little Rippers Kids Run. There's still lots of opportunity to volunteer, and help secure a spot next year. For more, visit www.whistlerhalfmarathon.com.

June 8 — Walk This Way — Nordic walking is a fast-growing pasttime where people use poles and hiking techniques to cover a lot of ground, getting a great, low-impact workout in the process. On June 8, a new event called Walk This Way is set for Whistler Olympic Park, with proceeds going to Osteoporosis Canada. Registration is $49 for the event, or you can pay $99 and get a set of poles and a training sessions with a Nordixx-certified instructor. For registration or more information, visit www.osteoporosis.ca.

June 15 — Whistler Valley Trail Run — Organizers have moved this event forward this year from the May long weekend, to June 15. The run takes place out of Spruce Grove Park, using gravel trails in Lost Lake Park. There are 5km and 10km routes available starting at 9 a.m., followed by the Teddy Bear Trot kids run at 10:15 a.m. Register before May 15 and the price is $20 or $40 for a family. After that prices go up to $25 and $45. Visit www.whistlervalleytrailrun.org.