Run for Water TRAIL

10K, 25K and 50Kultra run FOR CLEAN WATER

May 27, 2023

Register now!
VOLUNTEER WITH US!

Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. 

JOHN MUIR

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 two challenging distances – 10K & 25K with 1500  metres of elevation gain!

Your entire race entry fee will be used to bring clean water to families for life in Buluk, 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.

Important: 100% of your race entry fee will go to the water project, supporting families in Ethiopia. All of our event costs are covered by our generous sponsors.

10k RACE

  • Start 10:00 am, cut-off time 2:00 pm
  • 700 metres of elevation gain
  • Lepp Farm Market “sando” provided at the finish line
  • Bring your own water bottle to fill up along the course
  • Short-sleeve technical shirt included
Register now!

25k RACE

  • Start 8:00 am, cut-off time 2:00 pm
  • 1,500 metres of elevation gain
  • Lepp Farm Market “sando” provided at the finish line
  • Bring your own water bottle to fill up along the course
  • Short-sleeve technical shirt included
Register now!

50k RACE

  • Start 7:00 am, cut-off time 4:00 pm
  • 3000 metres of elevation gain
  • Lepp Farm Market “sando” provided at the finish line
  • Bring your own water bottle to fill up along the course
  • Short-sleeve technical shirt included
Register now!
Sumas Mountain

course overview

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 1500 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.

 

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 and replenish food and drink at Aid Station #2.

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. At the time of writing some tree stands in this area are being harvested. We expect the trail to be clear by race day.

Time Killer descends down to another FSR where racers will turn right to to quickly connect to the Centennial Trail. 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). Aid Station #3 will provide a well-deserved break and nourishment for all who reach it.

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 burgers donated and freshly grilled by Lepp Farm Market.

package pick up

Race packages are to be picked up just before the race at the start/finish area. In order to allow enough time to get your packages and get all set up please arrive 30 – 60 min prior to the 10K and 25K races. 

SUMAS MOUNTAIN

Route Maps

10K

ROUTE MAP

25k

ROUTE MAP

These trails travel through the Aboriginal Title lands of the Semà:th people.

Sponsors

Thank you to all of our sponsors. We couldn’t do this without your generous support!
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Donation Disclaimer: 100% of your donations go directly to Ethiopia to bring clean water and improved education. All of our overhead cost is covered by a group of generous partners. If this year’s designated project is fully funded, Run for Water reserves the right to use excess funds to build additional water and education projects in other rural communities in Ethiopia.