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Whistler Half Marathon sold out, again

It's déjà vous all over again. Last week it was announced that the North Face Whistler Half Marathon was sold out for a second time, after another 50 spots were added to the race.

The race sold out all 750 spots on March 31, just five minutes before the end of the early bird deadline for registration. A large number of people contacted organizers to ask for another chance, prompting them to add an additional 50 spots to the race.

Those spots, and then some, were snapped up in just six minutes on April 27 after becoming available. Because of a glitch in the software, 64 people actually managed to squeeze through.

"Once the process of registering is started, the registrant is guaranteed a spot based on the way the software is built," said race director Dave Clark. "Fifteen people simultaneously signed up for the final spot, literally starting at exactly the same time - so in actual fact, 64 athletes got spots, which is amazing."

As well as the registered runners, roughly 50 spots have also been set aside for elite and sponsored athletes.

The 21.1 km run takes place on June 4, based out of the Whistler Olympic Plaza. The race is sanctioned by B.C. Athletics and is a recognized event on the Vancouver Sun Run Series.

A complete course map is available online at www.whistlerhalfmarathon.com.

 

Counting down to the Orecrusher XC

The first of the Sea to Sky mountain bike epics - as well as the first event in the Hell of a Series - takes place on May 14 with a revamped Orecrusher race in Squamish.

The event will be based out of Don Ross Secondary once again, but the course will be a lot different this year with a much longer lap (around 13 km) and all categories making three laps of the course for a total of 40 km.

While the race is still relatively flat compared to other races, it didn't get easier. More of the race than ever is taking place on singletrack with a few road and doubletrack sections in between trails. There are no long descents so riders will be pedalling the entire way.

Because it's a lap race, riders can arrange to pick up water bottles and food along the way and do minor repairs - an element that race director Armand Hurford wanted to keep for the first race of the season. "It's still the only lap race in the Hell of a Series, and it's a good intro to that kind of marathon racing because you're not out in the middle of nowhere, you're in a contained environment where you pass through the same area a few times... and it's a little less intimidating."

Registration is available online at www.orecrusher.ca for $40. Day of race registration is available at Don Ross Secondary from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. with an 11 a.m. rolling start - no Le Mans start this year.  The number of entries is limited to 250.

 

B.C. Snowboard hosting Whistler selection camp

On May 14-15, B.C. Snowboard will be hosting a selection camp for the provincial freestyle team, recruiting young riders for slopestyle and halfpipe.

Candidates will be 15 years of age by December 2011, will have competitive snowboard experience and should be able to demonstrate fundamentals like riding regular and switch, board control, jumping, rotations, etc. You should be able to hit the large features in the Blackcomb Park, ride halfpipe and freeride. Previous experience with coaching, either at the provincial, team or club level is welcome, as is gym and fitness training experience. You should also have an interest in competing at the national level.

The team operates year-round and is based in the corridor between Whistler and Vancouver.

Athletes that qualify can expect fitness and trampoline training through the summer, glacier riding June and July, four or five days a week on the snow from November to May and to travel to up to eight competitions during the 2011-2012 season.

For more information and registration email Head Coach Adam Higgins at 604-902-3154.

 

Bike Park opening Demo Centre

It's just two weeks away from the start of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park season, and crews are literally breaking their backs to clear the snow from the trails.

This week, the park also announced the creation of the bike park's Official Demo Centre, which will offer riders a chance to ride some really high-end bikes from manufacturers like Cove, Giant, Kona, Scott, Santa Cruz, Devinci, Trek and Lapierre. Riders can book bikes out for an hour-long spin or a multi-day demo.

The new centre will be located at the base of the mountain in the Carleton Lodge.

For more, visit www.whistlerbike.com/rentals/democentre/index.htm.

 

Spots still open for Every Woman conference

There are still spots available for the now eighth annual Every Woman in the World conference in Whistler, May 13 to 15.

This year the range of activities on the calendar includes a four-hour hike, Nia, weight training, meditation, yoga, home-based fitness, Zumba, pilates, Boot Camp, spin class, cardio kickboxing, learn-to-run and RunFaster clinics, ballet, BellyFit, Gyrokinesis, Sport Fit, Bar Method, Capoeira, Cardio Striptease, Kayaking, Real Self Defense for the Busy Woman, Burlesque, Water Running, West African Dancing and Go-Go Dancing. There are also a variety of other workshops on nutrition, financial planning, organization, self-esteem and more.

The complete list of 60 workshops, dinners and guest speakers is at www.everywomanintheworld.com.

There are special rates for people who live in the corridor, one-day packages for mothers and daughters, and five workshop packages.

 

B.C. Bike Race price increasing May 18

The cost of taking part in the 2011 B.C. Bike Race will go up after May 18, from $1,899 for the eight-day, seven-stage race to $2,099. Visit www.bcbikerace.com to secure your spot.

Some of the recent announcements for the race include the participation of Brian Lopes, who's best known for downhill and four-cross races but has been know to destroy the occasional distance race as well.

If you're worried about being in shape after a long winter and slow start to the season, race director Andreas Heslter has put together a free six-week training program that's available on the website.