In Whistler, more than anywhere else, fitness is a family thing. Families run, ride bikes, hike, ski, and swim together, with one generation passing on its active lifestyle to the next.
May 19-25 has been designed as Family Week in Whistler, and it wraps up this weekend with beginner triathlon races on Saturday and the annual Whistler Valley Trail Run on Sunday.
There are two triathlons on Saturday, the fourth annual Whistler Kids of Steel Triathlon and the second annual Adult Try-a-Tri. Both are short distance, starting with a swim leg in Meadow Park Arena, followed by an out-and-back cycling leg on Alta Lake Road, followed by an out-and-back run on the Valley Trail.
The Kids of Steel race is sanctioned by Triathlon B.C., and there are three age categories. Kids aged 8-11 start with a 100-metre pool swim, followed by a 4.5 km bike and a 1.5 km run. Kids aged 12-13 start with a 300-metre swim, followed by a 10 km bike and a 3 km run. Kids 14 and over swim 500 metres, bike 14 km and run 4 km.
Online registration wrapped up on Wednesday May 21.
The races get underway in the pool at 8:15 a.m. and the awards are at 11:30 a.m.
The adult Try-a-Tri is open to anyone 19 and older, and features a 300 metre swim, a 14 km bike and a 4 km run. It gets underway at 9:15 a.m.
Organizers are still looking for volunteers to help host the events. If you can spare a few hours on Saturday, contact Tracy Torrell at ttorrell@telus.net.
For more information on both races, visit www.whistlertriclub.ca.
The 17 th annual Whistler Valley Trail Run takes place on Sunday, with 5 km and 10 km loops on gravel roads and trails in Lost Lake Park with Ross Rebagliati Park serving as the staging area.
This year the Valley Trail Run is the first event in the Sea 2 Sky Trail Running Series, which includes the Comfortably Numb Trail Run on June 22, and the Rubble Creek Classic on Sept. 28.
Registration is available online until midnight tonight, Thursday, May 22, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Sunday at the Salomon Store.
The run gets underway at 9 a.m., and is followed by the fifth annual Teddy Bear Trot. Kids aged 10 and under will run a short course around the park accompanied by their Teddy Bears, and parents if they need help.
This year the run is dedicated to the memory of Pique founding publisher Kathy Barnett, who helped established the Community Foundation of Whistler’s Youth Fund. The Youth Fund is the regular recipient of proceeds from the race.
For more information on the race, visit www.whistlervalleytrailrun.org.
