The annual BC Bike Race gets underway this Saturday, June 30 with a field of 500 riders taking on the seven-day, seven-stage mountain bike event. The race will wrap up in Whistler on July 7, with a relatively short but technical 27km course for riders in both the epic and challenge categories.
Volunteers are still required for the final stage. Contact Grant Lamont at 604-902-0054 if you can help out.
A few local riders will be contending for the overall title this year, including Squamish's Neal Kindree and Whistler's Michael Robinson. Riders can do the event solo, as part of a team of two, or as part of a team of three or more.
The first stage is in Cumberland on Vancouver Island, followed by Campbell River on day two and Powell River on day three. Day four includes trails between Earls Cove and Sechelt, and day five the trails from Sechelt to Langdale. The race moves up to Squamish for day six, then finishes in Whistler at Whistler Olympic Plaza.
For more information and daily updates, visit www.bcbikerace.com.
Eagles playing Bayside for third
The Sea to Sky Eagles won their first game of the season on June 17, beating the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club 52-12. It was what the team needed to advance to the small final of the Canada Rugby League British Columbia chapter, where this Saturday, June 30, they will play the Bayside Sharks to see who places third overall in the five-team league. The Surrey Beavers and Kelowna Crows will battle over first and second.
The Sea to Sky Eagles have played Bayside before, losing 68-34.
The final game is at Burnaby Lake Sport Complex at noon.
Tenderfoot Boogie this weekend
The second annual running of the Tenderfoot Boogie takes place this Saturday, June 30 with runners following the Sea to Sky Trail and other back roads from Squamish to Whistler.
Registration closed on Monday for the 50-Mile Relay category, but solo entries for the 50-mile, 50-kilometre and 28km races are available through race day.
The 50km run starts at the Tenderfoot Fish Hatchery on Paradise Valley Road at 7 a.m. (6:30 a.m. sign-in). The 28km run starts at Brandwine Falls Provincial Park at 9 a.m. (8:30 a.m.).
For more on the race, visit www.trailwispere.ca/Tenderfoot.
Lots of choices for Xterra
The 2012 Xterra Whistler Triathlon and Duathlon is fast approaching, with two days of events on July 21-22.
Whistler held the Xterra Canadian Championships the past two years, but that event has moved on to Canmore, Alberta this year. However, there are up to four other provincial-level events this year, including Xterra Vernon, which took place on June 17, Xterra Whistler, Xterra Kelowna on Sept. 9 and possibly Xterra Victoria on a date to be announced.
The organizers have made a full weekend out of the Whistler event, using the venue to host a full range of events.
On Saturday, there's a 10km trail race and two duathlon categories. The Full Duathlon features a 4km trail run, a 30km mountain bike ride and an 8km trail run, while the Sport Duathlon includes a 2km trail run, 15km trail ride and 4km trail run.
Sunday is the Championships Triathlon race, which includes a 1,500-metre swim, 30km mountain bike and 8km trail run. The Sport Triathlon features a 500-metre swim, 15km bike and 5km trail run. New this year is a kids' triathlon with a 50m swim, 3km bike and 1km trail run.
As well, giving people even more options, both the championship and sport distance triathlons can be completed as relays, with two or three members.
Visit www.xterracanada.ca.
Routley out of top 10 at nationals
After leaving the Tour de Suisse early with an illness, Whistler's Will Routley turned his focus to the road nationals in Quebec. Despite his win in 2010 and runner-up finish in 2011, Routley came just short this year. However, one of his teammates at SpiderTech powered by C10 was able to take the title. That rider was Ryan Roth, followed closely by Olympian Michael Barry and Marsh Cooper.
Two other SpiderTech racers were in the top 10 with Martin Gilbert in seventh and David Boily in ninth (second in the Under 23 group). Will Rouley finished less than 20 seconds back of the leaders in 12th, crossing the line with teammates Ryan Anderson (11th), Francois Parisien (13th) and Hugo Houle (14th).
Spots still available at Squamish Tri
The countdown for the 15th annual Squamish Triathlon: A Memorial to Bob McIntosh is on, with the Olympic-distance race taking place on July 15.
New this year is a cash prize, with prizes of $500, $300 and $200 for the top male and female. There's a Clydesdale/Athena category, and, as always, the relay is a major focus. For more, visit www.squamishtriathlon.org.
