While the top athletes in this past weekend's Ironman were nothing less than impressive, there are some equally impressive athletes in Whistler this weekend for the second running of the Meet Your Maker 50, a 50-mile ultra run and relay taking place on trails around Whistler.
This is a beast of a solo ultra, with a 50-mile/80km course option that took the top athlete in 2012 — Ontario's Mike Murphy eight hours and 31 minutes to finish, which is pretty close to the top time in Ironman. Total vertical is 4,500 metres.
The race takes place this Sunday, Sept. 1 with some 130 athletes signed up to go the full distance and close to 40 relay teams of seven. Some 90 per cent of the course is on trails, including some challenging singletrack made for bikes.
The race gets underway at 5 a.m. with the start line in Rebagliati Park, and the first runners should return to the park around 1 p.m. For more on the race visit www.meetyourmaker.com.
boarders off to mixed start in NZ
The first qualifying opportunities of the 2013-2014 World Cup season took place in Cardrona, New Zealand for the Canadian Snowboard Team, with mixed results and mixed weather.
The men's slopestyle event was cancelled due to a storm, but the women's event went ahead as planned. Jamie Anderson of the U.S. took the win easily, followed by Jenny Jones from Great Britain and Cheryl Maas from The Netherlands. Jenna Blasman of Ontario was the top Canadian in fifth, while Whistler riders Breanna Stangeland and Molly Milligan were fifth and 13th. Brooke Voigt was 28th, Samm Denena 34th and Laurie Blouin 35th.
In halfpipe, Crispin Lipscomb — who returned to the team after retiring from competition after the 2010 Games, was the top Canadian in 19th, with Derek Livingston 24th and Brad Martin 33rd.
The win went to Ayumu Hirano of Japan, followed by teammate Taku Hiraoka. Christian Haller of Switzerland was third.
In the women's event, Whistler's Mercedes Nicoll placed 16th after a fall, with Alexandra Duckworth in 21st and Caylynn Irwin in 25th.
Kelly Clark of the U.S. won the event, followed by Xuetong Cai of China and America rider Gretchen Bleiler.
Registration still up for GranFondo
The RBC GranFondo Whistler is still accepting registrations for the fourth running of the event on Saturday, Sept. 7. Upwards of 4,500 cyclists will be at the start line in Vancouver for the 122km ride up to Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway.
There are a few changes this year, including the decision to do away with the Giro race start and just have an overall mass start.
As usual, communities along the route can expect traffic impacts over the course of the day, including closures and delays through the course of the race. The race starts at 6:45 a.m. and the last riders won't reach Whistler until the late afternoon.
For registration and race info, visit www.rbcgranfondowhistler.com.
Sea to Sky Football recruiting for 2013 season
The Sea to Sky Football team is recruiting players for the upcoming season, with teams playing in the North Shore Football League through the fall months.
The Whistler Saints flag football team is for boys and girls aged six to nine, and is non-contact. Teams play on a shorter field with nine players on the field at any given time. The cost is $80 and practices are Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Spring Creek Community School.
The Broncos peewee team is for kids aged 10 and 11, and Titans minor team for kids 12 and 13. Both are full equipment, full-contact leagues with 11 players on the field and modified NFL rules. Team practices will be Tuesday and Thursday at Spring Creek and Howe Sound Secondary. The cost is $250 for the season, with all equipment provided. To register, visit www.gslfootball.ca.
Strut Your Stuff returns Sept. 5
Back by popular demand, the Strut Your Stuff fall registration fair will take place on Thursday, Sept. 5 at Myrtle Philip Community School from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Most of the major sports organizations will be there to take registration for the upcoming season — ski programs, hockey, gymnastics, dance, skating and more — as well as groups offering arts and culture activities.
There will be a gear trade-in and swap and displays from groups taking part.
To host a display at Strut Your Stuff, contact 604-935-8350 and request course #17182.
As well as registrations, KidSport Whistler will also be at the event with grant applications and more information for parents. In its 17th year, KidSport provides grants to low-income families to help their kids enroll in sports — a concept that started in Whistler and has been embraced in 35 communities around B.C.
