|
|
 |
Quick Menu:
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
Stage 4 |
Stage 5 |
Stage 6 |
Stage 7 |
Stage 8 |
Stage 9 |
Stage 10 |
Stage 11 |
Stage 12 |
Safety Notice |
Recreational Vehicles |
Car Pool Rule |
Start Time: 8:00am
Stage 1: Trail Run (Airport to Old Lillooet Bridge) -- 12.4 miles
The Gold Rush Relay begins with a spectacular 12.4 mile run beginning at the Lillooet Airport (a trail run for the first one-third distance). The route follows the escarpment trail giving runners a bird’s eye view of the Village of Lillooet. The trail run undulates with a few short climbs of less than 100 feet in one-third of a mile. Upon finishing the trail section, runners will have a long slow grade back down to the main Highway. They will, then, follow the Highway north to the Old Lillooet Bridge (foot and bike traffic only). Finish of Stage 1 is on the Old Lillooet Bridge.
Stage 2: Village Run (Old Lillooet Bridge to Seton Lake Lookout) -- 6.9 miles
Athletes will run up a gentle grade for 1.5 miles, then into the Village of Lillooet From the Village of Lillooet, runners will leave town via Station Hill, next to (you guessed it) the Lillooet Train Station. Station Hill drops about 200 feet down to the Fraser River, and then there’s a gentle grade up to the entrance to Seton Lake. From here, athletes will run up a 7 percent grade for half a mile, finishing Stage 2 at the Seton Lake Lookout.
Stage 3: The most difficult Stage (Seton Lake Lookout to Campsite) -- 8.5 miles
You have two choices here: you can sacrifice a good runner by not filling them in on just how tough this leg is, or find a really good runner. The run starts with a continual 3-mile hill climbing over 1,500 feet, then descending 500 feet, then back up another 800 feet, and then back down 400 feet. (Yes, that’s up, down, up and down.) The road snakes up along Cayoosh Creek through various switchbacks with long climbs and descents. The scenery is spectacular, and there are a couple of viewpoints along the way. This Stage brings athletes beneath the mountains, where some of the richest goldfields were discovered during the Gold Rush days of the mid-1800s. The Golden Cache and the Ample Min! es had t unnels through the massive cliffs towering above Stage 3.
Stage 4: Wildlife Stage (Campsite to Roger Creek Campsite) -- 8.4 miles
This portion of the event has the highest probability of seeing wildlife, mainly deer. The leg of this journey takes athletes on an undulating roller coaster ride along the Cayoosh Creek Canyon, meandering among the fir and birch trees that line the valley floor. It’s important to use caution in this area, as the trees cast long shadows which makes it more difficult for motorists to spot you along the side of the road.
Stage 5: Relaxing Stage (Roger Creek Campsite to Blow Down Creek) -- 7.8 miles
Stage 5 is an undulating 7.8 mile run along the banks of Cayoosh Creek. There are small roller coaster hills, but nothing too severe. There are plenty of creek access points for your teammates, to fish or dip their feet in Cayoosh Creek, while you toil on your 7.8 mile run through the mountains.
Stage 6: Most Spectacular Scenery Stage (Blow Down Creek to Van Horlick) -- 6.7 miles
Stage 6 introduces runners to more spectacular scenery, as the narrow Cayoosh Creek Valley opens up towards Duffy Lake. Alpine valleys and snow-capped peaks will leave runners in awe. Support teammates will become forgetful, as they’ll be so busy snapping pictures and will forget about their friend out running. "Don’t forget your runner!" Duffy Lake is one of the most pristine lakes in the world: ice cold and deep. You’ll notice at the far east end of Duffy Lake that there’s a logjam, which has dammed up the entrance to Cayoosh Creek. This logjam has been there for hundreds of years, well before logging ever took place. The logs you’ll see were taken off the hill by the various avalanche paths, which flow, into Duffy Lake. Duffy Lake is filled with ancient trees, which have become water logged and sank to the bottom, while some managed to stay afloat long enough to create the dam at the east side of Duffy Lake. The run is undulating and follows the! south s hore of Duffy Lake to the Van Horlick transfer point, and the start of Stage 7.
Stage 7: Wish You Had More Film for Your Camera Stage (Van Horlick to Joffree Lakes) -- 7.5 miles
This Stage has a gentle climb up to the summit of 4,200 feet above sea level. This makes the Duffy Lake Road one of the highest elevated paved roads in British Columbia. Stage 7 will take athletes along the edge of the high alpine valleys, which surround this leg of the journey. There are a few short hills on the way to the summit and then a half-mile steep decent to the Joffree Lakes transfer point.
Stage 8: The Knee Wrecker Stage (Joffree Lakes to Pemberton Flats) -- 10.7 miles
This Stage is the knee wrecker, from 4,100 feet to less than 900 feet in 6 miles, then flat for 4 miles. Stage 8 is good for runners with strong knees and feet. For those driving this section, remember to gear down and not use your brakes too much; otherwise, you’ll burn them out on such a long hill (also your brakes will smell bad for the runners).
Stage 9: The Trump Card Stage (Pemberton Flats to Pemberton) -- 7.7 miles
This is the flattest Stage of the whole relay (pancake flat); not one hill, not even a bump. This is a good negotiation leg for the Captain in obtaining special favours from his or her teammates. Special favors might include borrowing the spouse’s new SUV for the weekend, or asking the boss for an extra day off work.
Stage 10: Rolling Hills Stage (Pemberton to Keiwit) -- 6.2 miles
Stage 10 starts in Pemberton with a gentle climb up to Nairn Fall Campground. Then there’s a more challenging climb past Nairn Falls, followed by a steep decent under a train bridge, then a gentle climb to the finish of Stage 10, just past Keiwit.
Stage 11: Final Climb Stage (Keiwit to Whistler Entrance) -- 7.5 miles
This Stage brings athletes on an undulating run to the entrance of Whistler Resort. Stage 11 is challenging with three good climbs and descents, from the first climb at th! e beginn ing to the final climb near the end. Use caution on this Stage, as you’ll be crossing one set of train tracks and getting close to Whistler Resort, a popular tourist destination in the summer. The transfer point will be located just past the entrance sign to Whistler.
Stage 12: Marry My Sister Stage (Whistler Entrance to Whistler Village) -- 9.7 miles
This is the final Stage of the event. It’s important that you follow the instructions of the race officials, at all times, as you’ll be entering Whistler Resort. The resort will be jammed packed with tourists from all over the world, who may not even speak English. You might say, "Excuse me, Mister", and they might think you’re saying, "Take my picture" or "Marry my sister."
Speaking of marriage. If you plan on asking someone to marry you, please wait until the end of the relay in the safety of the Finish where there are no cars around. We would hate to see a potential bride get all excited and back out into traffic. Cool heads must prevail while on the course at all times!
Safety Notice
The entire route will be open to public traffic for the duration of the event. All rules of the road must be observed at all times, unless specifically directed otherwise by a uniformed police officer or race official. It is highly unlikely that you will be given instructions contrary to rules of the road.
Recreational Vehicles on the Duffy Lake Road
We strongly suggest that you don’t use recreational vehicles for this event. Stick to station wagons, vans or SUV's, as the Duffy Lake Road is windy and narrow for the most part; having an RV' just adds to the congestion and creates large blind spots in the parking areas.
Car Pool Rule
There must be a minimum of three occupants per vehicle at all times while moving. Any teams caught with less than three occupants will be penalized.
Accommodations
Official Host Hotel: Sundial Boutique
Hotel
Alternate
Accomodations
|
|
