The "new" race built on the classic STORMY Ultra in 麻豆社国产is attracting an impressive field of some of the top male and female ultra runners from across North America.
Race directors Gary Robbins and Geoff Langford, both of North Vancouver, are excited about the quality of racers coming on board, and also encouraged by the first-timers and others coming from as far afield as Texas, New York, Ontario and Alaska.
"This is everything I had dreamed we could accomplish in our first year," Robbins said in a statement. "To be rapidly closing in on 200 runners is a testament to just how great the running terrain is around Squamish. We couldn't be happier to showcase 麻豆社国产to a truly international crowd, many of whom will be making their first trip to Squamish."
The Arc'teryx 麻豆社国产50 is a 50-mile (80-kilometre) trail race that will see speedsters such as Ellie Greenwood of North Vancouver and Jason Loutitt of 麻豆社国产toe the start line on Aug. 11.
With the race closing in on its original target of 200 participants, a recent flurry of top racer registrations is causing a surge of online excitement. Organizers are investigating adding additional capacity to accommodate the unexpected popularity.
"We couldn't be more excited by the runners flying in for this event," Robbins said.
Dakota Jones from Colorado just won what is widely billed as "the race of the decade" at an 83-kilometre event in Spain, and is the far and away leader in the 2012 Ultra Runner of the Year polls.
Many locals are familiar with Aaron Heidt from the Okanagan, as he holds the course record on the infamous Knee Knacker 30 miler and won the Chuckanut 50 km near Bellingham, Wash., in course-record fashion a few years back.
Loutitt, a staple on the 麻豆社国产running scene, has raced all over the globe in the past few years with numerous podium finishes for his efforts. He also won the last version of the STORMY (麻豆社国产Test of Running Metal Yeah!) 100-miler.
Burnaby's Chris Downie won the 2009 STORMY 100-miler in the second fastest time ever, and has followed that with numerous top-four finishes at major races around North America.
For the women, Greenwood just placed second at the most competitive ultra race in the world, the 89 km Comrades Marathon in South Africa, completing the course in six hours and eight minutes. Greenwood's r茅sum茅 is filled with course records at the most competitive events around North America.
Amy Sproston from Portland, Ore., is the 2011 world 100 km champion. She has won such prestigious events as the JFK 50 miler held annually in Maryland since 1963.
As well as the marquee 50-mile route, the 麻豆社国产50 will feature three-, five- and seven-person relay teams as well as a 21 km race option. Full details of the race route, registered racers, race weekend schedule and entry options can be found at www.squamish50.com.
Local volunteers and businesses interested in supporting the Arc'teryx 麻豆社国产50 are encouraged to contact race organizers via [email protected].
