Despite some concerns about poor air quality caused by smoke brought in from wildfires in B.C.’s Interior, a sold-out mountain running event is expected to make its annual return on Aug. 19.
B.C.’s wildfire season has forced the Squamish 50 organizers to monitor the town’s air quality to ensure the event will go on.
Approximately 600,000 hectares of woodland has burned as of Aug. 13, according to British Columbia Wildfire Service. These fires have, in some cases, spread smoke throughout much of B.C., prompting air quality warnings to be issued in many areas, including Squamish.
Concerns over smoke posing a threat to participant’s safety has resulted in some sporting events in the Sea to Sky area being cancelled. For example, Whistler’s Red Bull 400, dubbed the “world’s steepest race,” was cancelled on Aug. 5, just one day before the race due to air quality warnings.
The Squamish 50’s event organizers released a public statement via Facbook on Aug. 14, reassuring participants that they are “95% certain to go ahead with no issues this weekend.”
During an interview, local resident Eric De Paoli said he felt “the race organizers are doing their due diligence to make sure that the racers’ health is not in danger.”
De Paoli explained that because of this he felt safe and was excited to attend the race, which was sold out eight months beforehand.
The 23-year-old is an eager first time participant of the 50km race.
This year’s iteration of the event, which started in 2012, is offering racers different distances: 50 miles, 50 kilometres and the 50/50. The 50/50 combines the 50-mile and 50-kilometre races over two consecutive days.
There is also a 23-kilometre run, and a kids run.
The 50-mile race is the first to start and begins on the Squamish oceanfront on Aug. 19 at 5:30 a.m.
For more information on race locations and start times, visit the Squamish 50 website.
