The Squamish 50 race returns this weekend for those that like a little pain and suffering.
Several races will take place over Aug. 19 and 20, including a 50-mile run, 50-kilometre run, 23-kilometre run and kids run. This also includes the brave runners that will take on the 50-mile race on Saturday then the 50-kilometre race on Sunday, also known as the 50/50.
According to the event’s website, the 50-mile race includes 3,500 metres of ascent and descent.
“This is an exceptionally difficult course made tougher still by the technical nature of a majority of the terrain,” reads the website. “Throw in the fact that the back half runs much more difficult than the front half and you have yourself a nice little day of suffering. Thankfully we’ve made every effort to distract you with incredible scenery at every possible turn.”
Similarly, the 50-kilometre race includes 2,500 metres of ascent and 2,750 metres of descent. The 23-kilometre race includes 1,000 metres of ascent and 1,200 metres of descent.
Those runners tackling the 50/50 will have a whopping 6,000 metres of ascent over the two days, which is akin to hiking the first peak of the Stawamus Chief just over 11 times.
Last year, the 50-mile race alone drew over 400 participants and Squamish’s John Dean finished first with a time of 8:18:05. Just over 100 runners competed in last year’s 50/50, with Dean topping the chart completing both runs in 14:06:14.
Interested spectators will have to get up early to view the start for the 50-mile race as it kicks off from Junction Park in downtown at 5:30 a.m. The end is also at Junction Park, and if Dean’s time from last year is an indication, then you can likely see some of the first finishers after 1 p.m. or so.
Spectators can keep track with the runners on Squamish 50’s website, which will have a live tracker throughout the race.
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