21km (22.5km)
PLEASE READ THROUGH ALL OF THIS UPDATE as there are many, many pertinent details to your race day success contained within it.
Thanks for joining us for the inaugural Arc’teryx Squamish 50 – 21 km trail race. There will be over 100 of you on the starting line at 11am at Quest University. There is limited parking at Quest and you finish your race in downtown Squamish, a fifteen minute drive away.
Buses / Parking
To address this we’ve commissioned bus transportation from downtown Squamish up to Quest for the start. There is a nominal fee of $3 per person and this has to be paid in CASH (one loonie + one toonie) at package pick-up.
There are two buses departing sharply at 9:30am and 9:45am from The Squamish Oceanfront. You will have to park your car at the oceanfront and walk back approximately 350 meters to the bus departure point. Here is a map showing your pick-up location as POINT B with directions from the turnoff at the highway as POINT A.
Please budget at least twenty minutes from the time you exit the highway to allow for parking and walking back to the buses. Again buses will be departing at 9:30am and 9:45am sharp. If you show up at 9:50am you’ll be SOL!
If you do not purchase a ticket at package pick-up, we WILL NOT have you on our transportation list.
THERE ARE NO RACE DAY BUS TICKET SALES. I won’t repeat that but you should read it twice.
Alternatively your family and/or friends are welcome to drop you off at the start of the race up at Quest, and then drive back into downtown Squamish to cheer you on at the finish line
OR
if you are able to fill a car and car pool up with at least four people in your vehicle you could park up at Quest for the day and retrieve your car post race.
Confluence of Races
Our 50mile solo and relay runners will all be running on the same course as you, in fact the 21km (22.5km) race simply follows the final 22.5km of our 83km route.
Our 50mile race starts at 6:15am and there will be a handful of runners coming through the university aid station, which doubles as your starting line and registration point, before you start your own event at 11am.
PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE be aware of this at all times. These runners will already have covered a full marathon distance on the trails before they hit Quest University and as such they’ll obviously be fatigued and focused on simply getting in and out of the aid station as efficiently as possible. We will make every effort to segregate areas as much as we can, but simply having this present in your thoughts will go a long ways towards ensuring as smooth morning for all runners in all events.
The Course
As mentioned your race will be following the final portions of the overall 83km course. Five of your first six kilometers are covered on gravel forest service road with an uphill grade. For those familiar with the area you climb the Mamquam FSR and then turn left onto the Ring Creek FSR. This will lead you into some personal favorite trails known as The Pseudo-Tsugas. Eventually we will lead you into a few other classic Squamish singletrack routes known as The Powerhouse Plunge and The Farther Side.
There is a water station located at 3km while you are climbing up the Mamquam FSR. You will see this aid station TWICE. The first time you see it you simply continue past it going straight. After an additional 3km loop you will find yourself back at this water station at 6km. At this point you veer right and away from the forest service road. We will have volunteers in place directing you but you simply run past the water station the first time and turn right when you see it the second time.
Flagging / Signage
The course will be flagged appropriately in pink flagging tape, pink ground flags, and pink SQ50 arrow placards stapled to trees/trailhead signs at all intersections. Realistically you could navigate our entire course just running intersection to intersection and following these 8x10 pink cards with black directional arrows.
On top of that we will have plenty of pink flagging tape and over 1,000 pink ground flags. Predominantly the ground flags will be used around intersections or convoluted sections of trail and flagging will be hung as confidence marking. As a general rule you will see a flag at least every 1/2 - 1km. There will be slightly less flagging on sections of trail where you can not deviate and slightly more flagging around areas with the potential to take a wrong turn. All in all, there will be A LOT of flagging on course.
Aid Stations
All information regarding where aid stations are located and what will be available and not available has been listed on our site here
Dogs
Are not allowed on course.
Aren’t we allowed to run with our incredibly cute and exceptionally well trained and behaved best trail friends ever?
Sorry still no.
Musica
YES ...BUT, you must be aware of your surroundings at ALL TIMES. We request that you only run with one ear bud in but if you chose to run with both in you MUST have the volume low enough so that you can hear other runners, mountain bikers, and crazy wild forest creatures at all times. Bears love runners who can’t hear anything, cougars even more so. Think we’re joking? See below.
Other Trail Users / Mountain Bikers
Squamish is an outdoor haven and on a sunny summer Saturday there will be plenty of people outside playing on the trails. The town is a mountain biking mecca and as such you will undoubtedly encounter riders during your run. Everyone is very friendly and very accustomed to sharing the trails with other users.
Your general rule is this. Bikers are faster than you. Every single step of our race is bike friendly terrain. Even the steepest of the steep stuff and the most technical of the technical stuff will see local riders on it. When you're going UP the steep stuff, please pay special attention to things coming DOWN the steep stuff. Communicate with any riders you see and know they have the right of way. The steeper the terrain, the faster the oncoming riders. Most riders will let you know how many are in their group so if someone simply says "three, or two more" as they pass you it means you can expect two more riders closely behind them.
Railway Crossing
We will have one point during your race where a train can potentially cut you off. You're welcome to play chicken with them but our insurance won't cover you if you lose.
We have addressed this area so that the overall race outcomes will be minimally affected.
The crossing is only a kilometer away from the finish line. Oh the drama! There will likely be at least a few of you throughout the day who face sixty second to a few minute delays. We are placing a timing mat on either side of the tracks. As you cross the first mat your time will freeze, as you cross the second mat on the opposite side of the rail line your time will start again. If you run straight across without any interference you'll simply be five seconds faster than your watch time at the finish line. This is the best we could do and ensures that if you are held up by a train you are not penalized for it whatsoever.
Keep in mind that if you have to stop for a train, and there are already people waiting, they will likely finish ahead of you in the final rankings even if you out kick them at the line. If you notice a train blocking your path please ensure you run across the timing mat before you start your yoga poses to pass the time.
Littering On Course
If anyone is caught intentionally littering on course they will be immediately disqualified and banned from the race for life. We’d prefer a public flogging but times have changed so a lifetime ban is the best we can do.
There will be a Trail Runner Magazine subscription drawn for amongst ONLY the runners who pick up and turn in other peoples trail trash along the way. This will be on the honor system. If you find and remove trash from the trail please let us know at the finish line and you’ll be entered into the draw.
Dropping Out
If you choose to drop out YOU MUST DO SO AT AN AID STATION and YOU MUST COMMUNICATE IT TO US.
If you choose to drop out YOU MUST DO SO AT AN AID STATION and YOU MUST COMMUNICATE IT TO US.
If you choose to drop out YOU MUST DO SO AT AN AID STATION and YOU MUST COMMUNICATE IT TO US.
If you do otherwise we'll end up calling in search and rescue and sending out the dogs after you. Once we learn that you're on a couch watching Olympic highlights it won't be pretty.
If you choose to drop out YOU MUST DO SO AT AN AID STATION and you MUST COMMUNICATE IT TO US.
Plus we will have medical on site and it's not a bad idea to check in with them as well.
Finish Line Showers
To provide finish line showers we have rented two hotel rooms immediately adjacent to our finish line at The August Jack Motor Inn. We will have two street-access rooms labeled as SQ50 with patio sliding doors so that you can walk straight in.
Showers are limited to 5mins max and it is 100% BRING YOUR OWN TOWEL.
Wildlife
Squamish is blessed with backing onto a mountain range and seemingly endless wilderness. This is part of what makes this area, and our race, so unique.
With true wilderness comes wildlife however, and we are playing in THEIR backyard.
Two animals to be aware of in Squamish are black bears and cougars.
Black bears are common sight in these parts and locals usually celebrate these encounters rather than fear them. We feel that given the number of runners in the event it would be extremely unlikely that you’ll encounter a bear during your run. If you do however here are a few things to keep in mind along with a link to more in depth information for bear – human encounters.
We do not feel that is it necessary to carry bear spray. Some people choose to run with bear bells but it is more effective to make some noise or engage in friendly conversation with your new running friends.
First and foremost IF there are cubs NEVER get between a mama bear and her cubs.
Our number one piece of advice is if you are uncomfortable with bears and you come across one, simply wait until more runners arrive to assist you. An experienced local will likely make some noise until the bear retreats into the forest.
Here is the link for further information and as a reference if you spot a bear there a 95% chance that it’s a black bear:
bearsmart.com
Cougars have been spotted in Squamish. Personally I/we have never seen a cougar in all our travels. Cougars would typically be more of a threat to smaller animals such as a dog or a small child. If you happen to come across a cougar here is the proper behavior.
Stay calm and keep the cougar in view. Pick up children immediately - children frighten easily, the noise and movements they make could provoke an attack. Back away slowly, ensuring that the animal has a clear avenue of escape. Make yourself look as large as possible. Keep the cougar in front of you at all times.
Never run or turn your back on a cougar. Sudden movement may provoke an attack.
If a cougar shows interest or follows you, respond aggressively. Maintain eye contact with the cougar, show your teeth and make loud noise. Arm yourself with rocks or sticks as weapons. Crouch down as little as possible when bending down to pick up things off of the ground.
If a cougar attacks, fight back. Convince the cougar you are a threat and not prey. Use anything you can as a weapon. Focus your attack on the cougar's face and eyes.
How’s that for the end of our update?
If ANYTHING tackles you, animal or runner – POKE ‘EM IN THE EYES!
Thanks for joining us for the inaugural Arc’teryx Squamish 50 – 21 km trail race. There will be over 100 of you on the starting line at 11am at Quest University. There is limited parking at Quest and you finish your race in downtown Squamish, a fifteen minute drive away.
Buses / Parking
To address this we’ve commissioned bus transportation from downtown Squamish up to Quest for the start. There is a nominal fee of $3 per person and this has to be paid in CASH (one loonie + one toonie) at package pick-up.
There are two buses departing sharply at 9:30am and 9:45am from The Squamish Oceanfront. You will have to park your car at the oceanfront and walk back approximately 350 meters to the bus departure point. Here is a map showing your pick-up location as POINT B with directions from the turnoff at the highway as POINT A.
Please budget at least twenty minutes from the time you exit the highway to allow for parking and walking back to the buses. Again buses will be departing at 9:30am and 9:45am sharp. If you show up at 9:50am you’ll be SOL!
If you do not purchase a ticket at package pick-up, we WILL NOT have you on our transportation list.
THERE ARE NO RACE DAY BUS TICKET SALES. I won’t repeat that but you should read it twice.
Alternatively your family and/or friends are welcome to drop you off at the start of the race up at Quest, and then drive back into downtown Squamish to cheer you on at the finish line
OR
if you are able to fill a car and car pool up with at least four people in your vehicle you could park up at Quest for the day and retrieve your car post race.
Confluence of Races
Our 50mile solo and relay runners will all be running on the same course as you, in fact the 21km (22.5km) race simply follows the final 22.5km of our 83km route.
Our 50mile race starts at 6:15am and there will be a handful of runners coming through the university aid station, which doubles as your starting line and registration point, before you start your own event at 11am.
PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE be aware of this at all times. These runners will already have covered a full marathon distance on the trails before they hit Quest University and as such they’ll obviously be fatigued and focused on simply getting in and out of the aid station as efficiently as possible. We will make every effort to segregate areas as much as we can, but simply having this present in your thoughts will go a long ways towards ensuring as smooth morning for all runners in all events.
The Course
As mentioned your race will be following the final portions of the overall 83km course. Five of your first six kilometers are covered on gravel forest service road with an uphill grade. For those familiar with the area you climb the Mamquam FSR and then turn left onto the Ring Creek FSR. This will lead you into some personal favorite trails known as The Pseudo-Tsugas. Eventually we will lead you into a few other classic Squamish singletrack routes known as The Powerhouse Plunge and The Farther Side.
There is a water station located at 3km while you are climbing up the Mamquam FSR. You will see this aid station TWICE. The first time you see it you simply continue past it going straight. After an additional 3km loop you will find yourself back at this water station at 6km. At this point you veer right and away from the forest service road. We will have volunteers in place directing you but you simply run past the water station the first time and turn right when you see it the second time.
Flagging / Signage
The course will be flagged appropriately in pink flagging tape, pink ground flags, and pink SQ50 arrow placards stapled to trees/trailhead signs at all intersections. Realistically you could navigate our entire course just running intersection to intersection and following these 8x10 pink cards with black directional arrows.
On top of that we will have plenty of pink flagging tape and over 1,000 pink ground flags. Predominantly the ground flags will be used around intersections or convoluted sections of trail and flagging will be hung as confidence marking. As a general rule you will see a flag at least every 1/2 - 1km. There will be slightly less flagging on sections of trail where you can not deviate and slightly more flagging around areas with the potential to take a wrong turn. All in all, there will be A LOT of flagging on course.
Aid Stations
All information regarding where aid stations are located and what will be available and not available has been listed on our site here
Dogs
Are not allowed on course.
Aren’t we allowed to run with our incredibly cute and exceptionally well trained and behaved best trail friends ever?
Sorry still no.
Musica
YES ...BUT, you must be aware of your surroundings at ALL TIMES. We request that you only run with one ear bud in but if you chose to run with both in you MUST have the volume low enough so that you can hear other runners, mountain bikers, and crazy wild forest creatures at all times. Bears love runners who can’t hear anything, cougars even more so. Think we’re joking? See below.
Other Trail Users / Mountain Bikers
Squamish is an outdoor haven and on a sunny summer Saturday there will be plenty of people outside playing on the trails. The town is a mountain biking mecca and as such you will undoubtedly encounter riders during your run. Everyone is very friendly and very accustomed to sharing the trails with other users.
Your general rule is this. Bikers are faster than you. Every single step of our race is bike friendly terrain. Even the steepest of the steep stuff and the most technical of the technical stuff will see local riders on it. When you're going UP the steep stuff, please pay special attention to things coming DOWN the steep stuff. Communicate with any riders you see and know they have the right of way. The steeper the terrain, the faster the oncoming riders. Most riders will let you know how many are in their group so if someone simply says "three, or two more" as they pass you it means you can expect two more riders closely behind them.
Railway Crossing
We will have one point during your race where a train can potentially cut you off. You're welcome to play chicken with them but our insurance won't cover you if you lose.
We have addressed this area so that the overall race outcomes will be minimally affected.
The crossing is only a kilometer away from the finish line. Oh the drama! There will likely be at least a few of you throughout the day who face sixty second to a few minute delays. We are placing a timing mat on either side of the tracks. As you cross the first mat your time will freeze, as you cross the second mat on the opposite side of the rail line your time will start again. If you run straight across without any interference you'll simply be five seconds faster than your watch time at the finish line. This is the best we could do and ensures that if you are held up by a train you are not penalized for it whatsoever.
Keep in mind that if you have to stop for a train, and there are already people waiting, they will likely finish ahead of you in the final rankings even if you out kick them at the line. If you notice a train blocking your path please ensure you run across the timing mat before you start your yoga poses to pass the time.
Littering On Course
If anyone is caught intentionally littering on course they will be immediately disqualified and banned from the race for life. We’d prefer a public flogging but times have changed so a lifetime ban is the best we can do.
There will be a Trail Runner Magazine subscription drawn for amongst ONLY the runners who pick up and turn in other peoples trail trash along the way. This will be on the honor system. If you find and remove trash from the trail please let us know at the finish line and you’ll be entered into the draw.
Dropping Out
If you choose to drop out YOU MUST DO SO AT AN AID STATION and YOU MUST COMMUNICATE IT TO US.
If you choose to drop out YOU MUST DO SO AT AN AID STATION and YOU MUST COMMUNICATE IT TO US.
If you choose to drop out YOU MUST DO SO AT AN AID STATION and YOU MUST COMMUNICATE IT TO US.
If you do otherwise we'll end up calling in search and rescue and sending out the dogs after you. Once we learn that you're on a couch watching Olympic highlights it won't be pretty.
If you choose to drop out YOU MUST DO SO AT AN AID STATION and you MUST COMMUNICATE IT TO US.
Plus we will have medical on site and it's not a bad idea to check in with them as well.
Finish Line Showers
To provide finish line showers we have rented two hotel rooms immediately adjacent to our finish line at The August Jack Motor Inn. We will have two street-access rooms labeled as SQ50 with patio sliding doors so that you can walk straight in.
Showers are limited to 5mins max and it is 100% BRING YOUR OWN TOWEL.
Wildlife
Squamish is blessed with backing onto a mountain range and seemingly endless wilderness. This is part of what makes this area, and our race, so unique.
With true wilderness comes wildlife however, and we are playing in THEIR backyard.
Two animals to be aware of in Squamish are black bears and cougars.
Black bears are common sight in these parts and locals usually celebrate these encounters rather than fear them. We feel that given the number of runners in the event it would be extremely unlikely that you’ll encounter a bear during your run. If you do however here are a few things to keep in mind along with a link to more in depth information for bear – human encounters.
We do not feel that is it necessary to carry bear spray. Some people choose to run with bear bells but it is more effective to make some noise or engage in friendly conversation with your new running friends.
First and foremost IF there are cubs NEVER get between a mama bear and her cubs.
Our number one piece of advice is if you are uncomfortable with bears and you come across one, simply wait until more runners arrive to assist you. An experienced local will likely make some noise until the bear retreats into the forest.
Here is the link for further information and as a reference if you spot a bear there a 95% chance that it’s a black bear:
bearsmart.com
Cougars have been spotted in Squamish. Personally I/we have never seen a cougar in all our travels. Cougars would typically be more of a threat to smaller animals such as a dog or a small child. If you happen to come across a cougar here is the proper behavior.
Stay calm and keep the cougar in view. Pick up children immediately - children frighten easily, the noise and movements they make could provoke an attack. Back away slowly, ensuring that the animal has a clear avenue of escape. Make yourself look as large as possible. Keep the cougar in front of you at all times.
Never run or turn your back on a cougar. Sudden movement may provoke an attack.
If a cougar shows interest or follows you, respond aggressively. Maintain eye contact with the cougar, show your teeth and make loud noise. Arm yourself with rocks or sticks as weapons. Crouch down as little as possible when bending down to pick up things off of the ground.
If a cougar attacks, fight back. Convince the cougar you are a threat and not prey. Use anything you can as a weapon. Focus your attack on the cougar's face and eyes.
How’s that for the end of our update?
If ANYTHING tackles you, animal or runner – POKE ‘EM IN THE EYES!
