The 14 th Annual Valley Trail Run is this Sunday, May 29, along with the second annual Teddy Bear Trot for tots and the inaugural Kids Drop Zone.
The race includes 5 km and 10 km courses on Whistler’s Valley Trail system, and is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The main event gets underway with a mass start at 9 a.m.
You can register in advance at the Mountain Adventure Centre in the Pan Pacific Lodge or by calling Dynamic Core Fitness at 604-938-9467. There will also be day-of-race registration at the start line in the day lots opposite Whistler Fire Services.
At approximately 10 a.m., children under 10 will race in the Teddy Bear Trot on a short course in Whistler Village Square. All of the participants get to wear Bib 1, and will get a prize for participating.
This year parents will also be able to drop off their children, aged 3 to 8, for the duration of the race in the Kids Drop Zone. They kids will be looked after by Red Cross Certified Babysitters and RMOW Kids Program leaders.
The Kids Drop Zone is sponsored by the Mothers In Motion "Get in the Game Award from Whirpool, and all of the participants can take part in the awards ceremony after the Teddy Bear Trot at the GLC.
There will be draw prizes for everyone, as well as prizes for the top runners in every competitive category.
This year the race is also part of the SummerActive program of the Public Health Agency of Canada, which promotes healthy lifestyles.
Hash Run returns Tuesday
The trail and the finish location are secret, but otherwise the deal is the same for the monthly Hash Run, sponsored by Whistler Running Experience and Escape Route. The cost is $5 to enter, which includes food, refreshments, and an opportunity to take part in a fun, group running event.
If you’ve never participated, the group starts off in a pack on a local cross-country trails. When you come across symbols on the ground, runners search in all directions until they find the next symbol, then call out for everyone to follow them. Because the faster runners usually get to the symbols first and take the most goose chases, it’s possible for runners with a wide arrange of abilities to run together.
To take part register at the Escape Route between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31. The run gets underway at approximately 6:15 p.m.
For more information, contact Whistler Running Experience at 604-932-RUN2 (7862).
Whistler Running Experience is also hosting Saturday running clinics for locals taking part in the upcoming Comfortably Numb Trail Run, as well as regular Tuesday night clinics out of Escape Route.
LUNA takes to the field
LUNA, or Late Unique Nighttime Alternatives is moving to the early evening starting next week with a volleyball beach party at Rainbow Park. The cost is $4 to take part and there will be a cheap barbecue for participants, as well as a chance to win T-shirts from Westbeach.
The event gets underway at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 2. Catch Bus 2 from the Gondola Transit Exchange at 6 p.m., and a special bus will pick up participants at 9 p.m.
If it’s raining, the makeup day is June 9. Bring your LUNA card to get discounts.
On Thursday, June 16, there will be a soccer tournament at Myrtle Philip school, starting at 7 p.m. The cost is $4, with special rates for LUNA cardholders.
The games are co-ed, and team prizes will be available.
Register with the number of players and ages by June 10 by calling 604-935-0813 or by e-mailing jessica_riddell@yahoo.ca.
Details of both events will be at www.lunawhistler.com.
