June 1, 2024
The Run for Water Trail Races on Sumas Mountain take place on trails which are rugged single-track trails with vistas of the Fraser River and the gorgeous Fraser Valley. We are offering three challenging distances – 10K & 25K & 50K!
Your entire race entry fee will be used to bring clean water to families for life in Ethiopia.
Full payment is due at time of registration and is non-refundable. Everything you donate or fundraise above the race entry fee is tax receiptable.
You can switch to a shorter distance after registration at no cost. Please let us know one week before race day.
Orientation Run - 9am, Saturday, May 11
Join us for an orientation of either the 10k race or 25k race, Beginning at the Sumas Mountain lower parking area!
We are pleased to announce that we have become a Trail Sisters approved race. Trail Sisters is an organization that works towards gender equality in sports, specifically trail racing. By becoming a Trail Sisters approved race, we commit to equal opportunities for all our racers.
Check our the Trail Sisters Website for their full mission statement and a list of other approved races. View their race calendar here.
10K Race
Start 10:00 am, cut-off time 2:00 pm
Roughly 450 metres of elevation gain
Lepp’s Farm Market “sando” provided at the finish line
We are cupless,so bring your own water bottle to fill up along the course
Trail Race logo running hat by Territory Run Co. included
25K Race
Start 8:00 am, cut-off time 2:00 pm
Roughly 1300 metres of elevation gain
Lepp’s Farm Market “sando” provided at the finish line
We are cupless, so bring your own water bottle/flasks to fill up along the course
Trail Race logo running hat by Territory Run Co. included
50K Race
Start 7:00 am, cut-off time 5:00 pm
Roughly 2600 metres of elevation gain
Lepp”s Farm Market “sando” provided at the finish line
We are cupless, so bring your own water bottle to fill up along the course
Unique piece of clothing (50k designated) and Trail Race logo running hat by Territory Run Co. included
Event Schedule
Saturday, June 1
5:30 AM – Arrive and set up start/finish line area
6:15 AM – Package pickup opens for 50K racers
6:45 AM – Pre-race briefing for 50K racers
7:00 AM – 50K race start
7:15 AM – Package pickup opens for 25K racers
7:45 AM – Pre-race briefing for 25K racers
8:00 AM – 25K race start
8:30 AM – Package Pickup opens for 10K racers
9:30 AM – Welcome ceremony conducted by Semath First Nations
9:45 AM – Pre-race briefing for 10K racers
10:00 AM – 10K race start
2:00 PM – Cut-off finish time for 10K and 25K races
2:30 PM – Awards and podium prizing for 10K and 25K races. If all place finishers have completed 50K race, those awards will also be given.
4:00 PM – Cut-off finish time for 50K race
5:00 PM – Complete finish line take down and clean up
HIGHLIGHTS
What follows is a description of the 25K race route.
Disclaimer: The following description is for informational purposes only and is not an accurate guide to be used for navigation. Any person who uses this to find their way around the course before race day does so at their own risk. The course will be extensively marked with flagging, signage, and course marshals on race day.
This course has it all: some roots, some rocks, some mud, some hills and some sweet sweet trails. This course is tough, make no mistake about it! With just over 1250 meters of total elevation gain, this gnarly route will take you to the two highest peaks in Sumas Mountain Regional Park and expose you to some of the nicest, flowing trails our BC rain forests have to offer.
THE START TO TAGGART PEAK
The course starts at the lower day use parking lot off Taggart Road in Sumas Mountain Regional Park. From there, racers will start down a dirt access road that gently descends down to the start of the Squid Line Trail. Racers then begin the long gradual climb up the Squid Line trail crossing over several bridged creeks and Forest Service Roads (FSR). The course veers off the Squid Line Trail at an FSR that connects one to the fork of the Salty Nozzle Trail and Glen Ryder Trail. These two trails run almost parallel to each other to the summit of Taggart Peak. The race route will take you up the more southern Glen Ryder Trail for a short (approximately 1km) but steep climp to Sumas Mountain’s second highest point at 790 meters. You will enjoy stunning views looking north east over the Fraser River towards Mission and Maple Ridge before descending down an FSR, past a yellow gate, through the Aid Station #1, located near the top of Noah Fear Trail.
Course Overview
AID STATION 1 TO SUMAS PEAK
Racers then cruise down the Noah Fear Trail to a short FSR section leading to the mid-point of the short, sweet and super-steep Rock Diva Trail. You will ascend to the top of Rock Diva, climb a bit of Taggart Road, eventually reaching the viewpoint at the upper parking lot. Once there racers will enjoy some more gorgeous views of the Fraser Valley.
Leaving the aid station, you’ll continue up Taggart Rd for a few hundred meters keeping left to connect to a short access road that gently drops to the start of the “oh so fun” Time Killer descent. This is a technical but well maintained trail that reveals some sweeping views of the Fraser Valley.
Time Killer descends down to another FSR where racers will turn right to quickly connect to the Centennial Trail. At this junction, you will reach Aid Station 2, roughly at the half-way point. You will then begin the longest continuous climb of the course that winds up to, around and beyond Chadsey Lake. The climb from the lake switchbacks steeply to the summit of Sumas Peak (905 metres).
SUMAS PEAK TO THE FINISH
It’s all downhill from Sumas Peak… well kind of! You descend down the ever-popular Knob Gobbler Trail eventually connecting to the home stretch of trails known as the “Sauces and Peels”. Holiday Sauce, Extra Sauce, Pre-Peel and Emma Peel Trails showcase some of the most flowing and fun single-track around. Racers will hear and catch glimpses of the energetic start/finish line area during the final kilometre. Relief and recovery and the chance to finally stop moving will be helped along by delicious food donated by Lepp’s Farm Market.