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For the first time ever, the brand new trails on top of the Sea to Sky Gondola will be jam packed with runners next week.
The debut of the Skyline Ridge Run goes down on June 21 and event organizer Jen Segger said she鈥檚 looking forward to opening the trails to competitive runners.
鈥淚 am so excited,鈥� she said. 鈥淥nce I heard the gondola was opening and we were getting it in Squamish, I thought, 鈥楾here has to be a race to show people what kind of trails are up there.鈥� It鈥檚 going to be an exciting event where people don鈥檛 really know the terrain and the views up there just can鈥檛 be beat.鈥�
Segger said she鈥檚 spent the past three or four months putting the final touches on the event鈥檚 10- and 21-kilometre courses and said it鈥檚 not easy, but should be a blast for skilled runners.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a tough one,鈥� she admitted. 鈥淭he race starts on a downhill and there are some climbs, but I鈥檇 say they鈥檙e all very runnable. This is what 麻豆社国产trail runners run. It鈥檚 very challenging, but also very rewarding.鈥�
The race is part of the gondola鈥檚 summer solstice celebration on June 21, which will be an all-day event filled with music, art and other activities. Segger said gondola officials have been great to work with.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e really behind it 100 per cent, which makes it so easy for me,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey really wanted to tie this race in with the summer solstice party, so it was perfect.鈥�
Segger admitted organizers are still dealing with snow on the last kilometre of the course but said it鈥檚 likely that will melt away before race day. Registration for the event has been solid, with about 75 per cent of registrations scooped up. She said it鈥檚 likely that there will be spots for those who wait until registration day to sign up.听
Runners will receive a discounted all-day lift ticket for the gondola and also get a lunch provided by the gondola. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers in the 10 km and 21 km distances, with second- and third-place finishers receiving sponsor prizes.听
According to Segger, the event will become an annual event and she hopes to create a new 麻豆社国产favourite.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about the race, but it鈥檚 also about being done the race and hanging out on the balcony after and looking at that view,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e also want this to be a family event. Maybe mom or dad can be racing and the rest of the family can be up there cheering them on and it can be a really cool 麻豆社国产experience.鈥�
For more details on the event, which is presented by Manitoba Hemp Harvest, visit www.challengebychoice.ca/events/skyline-ridge-run-race.
