Sometimes all you need is a really good sign to get you through the tough times.
That is what the folks from SkiUphill - RunUphill believe, and it is the motivation behind their event ahead of the Squamish50 this weekend.
On Thursday (Aug. 14) afternoon from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the SkiUphill - RunUphill store, locals are invited to take part in Wine & Signs to create motivational signs to cheer on those involved in the races across the weekend.
“It's two blocks from our store, so we thought we love being involved in events that are in and around the community, and most of us, including myself and my partner, Joel, who own the store, have both run the 50/50. So we thought it would be fun to have an event where people can make signs,” SkiUphill - RunUphill co-owner Gavin Harmacy told The Squamish Chief.
“I think sometimes ... you don't get a chance to [make your support signs] or you don't have the supplies. ... So we thought it'd be tons of fun to have an event where we bring a whole bunch of people together and they can make signs cheering on random participants and the people that they're going to be supporting, and have kind of a fun evening.”
To take part in the event, it costs $15, which gets you a glass of wine, snacks and art supplies to make your finest signs.
“We have a couple of friends who are creatives and artists, so they're bringing some poster boards and we bought a whole bunch of stuff from Garibaldi Graphics and Michaels to get the supplies together like sparkles, paints, markers, all of that stuff,” Harmacy said.
Extra motivation
The Squamish50 is an annual trail running event, which includes a 50-mile, 50-kilometre, a combined 50/50 race, a 23-kilometre and a kids’ run, which takes place over the weekend of Aug. 16 and 17.
Harmacy said that a good sign can have the power to give runners that extra boost to keep them moving towards the finish line.
“It's a quick check-in on being present and in the moment. For running ultras, sometimes you can get a little bit too much in your head thinking 'This is hard, or my legs hurt, the Advil hasn't kicked in or the electrolytes aren't doing their job' and it just brings you back to reality for a moment,” he said.
“A sign can be funny, it can be hilarious, it can be motivational, but it's almost like an aid station, when that volunteer smiles and says, 'Congrats, you're doing great. You look awesome,' knowing full well you don't and you probably look exhausted.
“But a sign kind of just gives you that moment to be present and brings you back to thinking, 'This is a fun race. So this is a fun event. I'm actually having fun despite all the pain and the effort.'”
As for some inspiration for potential funny signs, Harmacy said he recalls a sign he saw during a race in Winnipeg a few years ago that has stayed in his memory ever since.
“I was running an ultra in Spruce Woods years ago, I'm originally from Winnipeg, and there was a sign just before a hill, and it said, 'Aid station just over the hill' and I was like, oh, thank goodness, and then I got over the hill, and the second sign says, 'Ha ha, just kidding. You're not even close," and it was like, another five kilometres away,” he said with a laugh.
“It was like this moment where you're almost like angry, but again, you're present, you're in the moment, and you feel something.”
To join the Wine & Signs night, visit the events listing to purchase a ticket.
