Squamish鈥檚 epic trail running gets the spotlight from Aug. 21 to 23 with the annual 麻豆社国产50 weekend.
What was once a 50-mile race has now expanded into an entire weekend with races for everyone and a film festival.
It kicks off on Aug. 21 at the Eagle Eye Theatre with The Trails In Motion Film Festival. Over two nights, the festival features nine films and a feature presentation from a still-to-be-determined ultra runner. The MC and host for both nights is Ethan Newberry, aka The Ginger Runner. The films start at 6 p.m. on both Aug. 21 and Aug. 23. Tickets are available at the door or in advance online.
Sandwiched in between the screenings is the main event 鈥� the 麻豆社国产50-mile race on Aug. 22. Runners start at the 麻豆社国产Oceanfront at 5:30 a.m., wind their way through some of Squamish鈥檚 toughest trails and finish at Pavilion Park in downtown Squamish. Top finishers complete the race in between seven and eight hours and some take over 16 hours. Also on Aug. 22 is the free kids鈥� race.
Both the 50-kilometre and 23-km races occur on Aug. 23. The 50 km runners start at Alice Lake at 6 a.m. and finish at Pavilion Park, while the 23 km begins at Quest University at 8 a.m.
The elite athletes of the bunch also have the ability to take on the 50/50 and compete in the 50-mile race on Aug. 22 and then the 50-km race on Aug. 23. Last year, only 34 athletes completed that task.
All of the races are sold out but the event organizers are still looking for volunteers. For more information on how to volunteer and on the event in general, visit www.squamish50.com.
