The 5 Peaks Trail Running Series will host the fourth stop on its B.C. tour this weekend on Whistler Mountain, with a 10.8 km Enduro course and a 5.6 km sport course. Both courses start and finish at the Roundhouse Lodge, following trails around Whistler’s alpine terrain.
Registration is available online at www.5peaks.com , or on the day of the race after 8 a.m. in the Salomon store. Uploading to the Roundhouse gets underway at 9:30 a.m., with special rates for spectators watching the race or supporting runners, and both races get underway at 11 a.m.
Course maps are posted on the website, but are similar to past years.
Last Hash promising a good bash
Although the running season is far from over, Whistler Running Experience and Escape Route are hosting their last Harrier Hash Run of the season this Tuesday, Aug. 28.
The cost is $5 to take part, and runners should meet at Escape Route at 5:30 p.m. for a 6 p.m. start. The course is secret as always, but the goal is the same — follow clues along the race, and find the hare to finish the race. All abilities are generally able to run together as the fastest runners follow false trails and find the right route for other runners. There is also a turtle for slower runners.
This event is sponsored by Adidas Eyewear, and organizers are promising the biggest draw prizes of the year.
Britt Janyk lands new sponsor
Whistler’s Britt Janyk will be sporting a new logo this season after signing a three-year sponsorship with PI Financial Corp, running through the end of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Janyk had a breakout performance with the national team last year, funding her own way onto the speed team after a few dry seasons with the technical team. Starting from scratch with new skis and new coaches, she placed fourth in four World Cup and World Championships events, and finished her year ranked seventh internationally in super G.
PI Financial Corp is a Vancouver’s based investment dealer with 160 employees and offices in Vancouver, Victoria and Calgary. Company chairman Max Meier has been a supporter of ski racing for more than 15 years, and helped to co-found the Whistler Cup international juvenile ski racing event.
Cudmore to represent Canada in France
Squamish’s own Jamie Cudmore was named to the Canadian national rugby team last week following his standout performance against Portugal. Playing as either a lock or flanker, Cudmore will be a starting member of the team during the Rugby World Cup, playing his first match against Wales on Sept. 9. Other pool match-ups include Fiji on Sept. 16, Japan on Sept. 24 and Australia on Sept. 29.
Cudmore, 27, also played for Canada in 2003 at the age of 23 where he played in all four pool games, and he is currently paid to play for the Clermont Auvergne club in France. France is hosting this year’s Rugby World Cup.
More amazing than Cudmore’s selection to the team is his background. He was a track and field athlete in high school, as well as a ski racer — he didn’t play rugby until he turned 17, getting his start with the Squamish Axemen. He played his first international match less than five years later.
To follow the games, visit www.rugbycanada.ca.
