08/28/2020
Welcome to the Kaien Island Gumboot Sufferfest!
This UNSANCTIONED trail running challenge is open to anyone who dares to try it.
There is both a 25km and a 50km route you can tackle, depending on your level of crazy. Each segment is detailed below, and a GNAR rating is provided for each. GNAR ratings are based on trail conditions and level of difficulty.
This is an ongoing event that can be competed anytime of the year (weather dependent). 2020 route has been flagged (where required) with green and orange flagging tape. Crossing from My Hays to Tall Tree was flagged with pink flagging tape.
Details:
1. This is Unsanctioned
2. Complete at your own risk
3. This route will be wet, slippery, and dangerous. Not all trails are maintained
4. Recommend you buddy up, while following all COVID safety precautions
5. The route must be complete within a 24 hour period, start to finish
6. The route must be run in the order shown on the map (or as close as possible given trail conditions)
7. Log your route on Strava OR take convincing photo evidence and post on this page to receive virtual high-fives from fellow challengers
8. Bring proof of run completion (e.g. Strava/photos) to Wheelhouse Brewery for a FREE beer and sticker. If you cheat you are only cheating yourself. SHAME.
9. HAVE FUN; DON'T DIE.
Route Description - 50km:
1. Moresby - Start at North end of Moresby Pond access off 2nd Ave West. Run counterclockwise lap around Moresby Pond. Start into second lap and exit at sound end, before the bridge. Watch for flagging. Follow flagging up trail (south-west) towards Westview School. Cross south end of field, follow flagging into bush, and through to Atlin Ave and take a left onto Atlin Ave. Take right onto Van Arsdol St, left onto Graham, and continue to trail at end of Graham Ave. Follow trail to Fairview, left onto highway 16, and right onto Scott Rd, towards cemetery. Loop cemetery road, then head right into trail at top end (yellow gate). GNAR rating: 3/10
2. Kings Loop - Continue straight into trail following flagging tape. Take right onto The King at trail marker. Follow Kings Loop in clockwise direction (Upper Kings Loop), then exit toward East Cemetery, following trail back the way you came. Exit onto Cemetery Rd, run back towards Highway 16. Photo evidence opportunity at The King tree. GNAR rating: 8/10
3. Mt Hays - Run highway 16 taking a right up Smithers st. Cross Sloan Ave to Omineca Ave, and down stairs at corner of Omineca to Kinsmen Trail. Follow trail to base of Mt Hays. Take a deep breath and grind it out, following road up to very top. Touch gate, turn around, and run back ~1km to start of traverse. Photo evidence opportunity at top towers. GNAR 7/10
4. Traverse - Follow flagging and slippery AF boardwalks across to Tall Trees trail (~ 3km). GNAR 8/10
5. Tall Trees & Oldfield - Decend Tall Trees trail ~ 1km, taking a left onto Mt Oldfiled trail. Run out and back, then decent remainder of Tall Trees trail to parking lot. Photo evidence opportunity at Mt Oldfield lookout. GNAR 6/10
6. Butze - Start at cheater entry point (across from Tall Trees parking lot), and bag out a double Butze. Choose your direction. Exit via Butze parking lot. Highly recommended to have a stash of supplies and dry shoes waiting here. GNAR 5/10
7. Connector - Exit Butze parking lot, following highway 16 take a right on Legaic and a left onto Kaien Rd. Follow Kaien toward SPCA (~ 1.2km), watch for flagging on right. Enter Connector trail and follow flagging to Seal Cove. Take left at Seal Cove Rd, across pedestrian bridge, towards Rushbrook Trail. GNAR 6/10
8. Rushbrook & Waterfront - Follow Rushbrook trail, dodge boat trailers through parking lot, and follow Rotary Parkway towards Cow Bay. Dodge tourists around Atlin Building (waterfront side) and continue towards The Whale statue at Rotary Watefront Park. Loop around power pole at Lightering Dock, then run back along same route, through Cow Bay towards Dry Dock Rd. Photo evidence opportunity at The Whale. GNAR 2/10
9. Sprint to Finish🤮 - Hang a right onto Dry Dock Rd, then right into McClymont Park Trail. Follow trail to Skate Park (highway 16), continue under the bridge towards the Lester Center and down Wantage Rd to the Fish Hatchery. Turn around and run back towards the Lester Center, take a left onto McBride St, and run down McBride towards the Rotary Waterfront Park. Take your last right onto 1st Ave East, and use your last ounce of energy to claim your FREE BEER at the Wheelhouse Brewing Company. GNAR 10/10
Route Description - 25km:
1. Mt Hays - Start at Lester Center, following Wantage Rd to base of Mt Hays. Take a deep breath and grind it out, following road up to very top. Touch gate, turn around, and run back ~1km to start of traverse. Photo evidence opportunity at top towers. GNAR 7/10
2. Traverse - Follow flagging and slippery AF boardwalks across to Tall Trees trail (~ 3km). Photo evidence opportunity at top of Tall Trees. GNAR 8/10
3. Tall Trees - Decend Tall Trees trail to parking lot. GNAR 6/10
4. Butze - Start at cheater entry point (across from Tall Trees parking lot), and bag out a double Butze. Choose your direction. Finish at Butze parking lot. Skip your stretches and make haste (via car) to the Wheelhouse Brewing Company for your FREE BEER. GNAR 5/10
