Hikers and runners alike are gearing up for a popular rite of spring—Powell River’s Marathon Shuffle. This year’s shuffle, the 21st, will happen Sunday, April 27.
Shufflers choose whether they want to run or hike the full shuffle, a 29-kilometre portion of the Sunshine Coast Trail, or the half shuffle at 12 kilometres. Hiking time over the hilly full shuffle is a challenging six to eight hours, while some runners complete the course in between three to five hours.
Last year 187 people signed up for the free non-competitive event. Times are kept so that participants can compare their performances.
This year the event will start a little later than years previous to accommodate shufflers coming across on the ferry from Vancouver Island, said Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society (PRPAWS) president Eagle Walz.
Walz identified this as a problem in the past and somewhat of a deterrent for out-of-town participants. This year the full shuffle will begin at 9 am and the half shuffle will begin at 11 am, both a half an hour later than previous years.
“It’s a rite of spring and an opportunity to enjoy a nice walk on a meticulously clean trail,” said Walz, adding that volunteers have been “shuffle-izing” the first-class trail. “We want to make a good first impression on the first-time users of the trail whether they are from Powell River or out of town.”
Walz recommends those who have not hiked the trail sign up for the half shuffle to get a taste. The path will take participants up and over Scout Mountain, which has some very steep sections on the descent.
There are five stations along the course and if people are having difficulty they can exit at these points. Walz also suggested if a person is feeling very fatigued when they reach the Sutherland Avenue point of the trail, that they consider finishing there instead of pushing themselves and sustaining an injury.
Organizers ask for runners and hikers to arrive at Kinsmen Beach on Powell Lake, just above the Shinglemill Pub and Bistro parking lot, at 7:45 am to pick up their bib number and to sign in, said Walz. Full shuffle participants will be bused to the starting line on Malaspina Road.
There is no bus service for the half shufflers, though there will be parking available at Wilde/Tomkinson Road at the intersection with the Sunshine Coast Trail. A slight change this year is that the half shuffle will start about 200 metres below the gravel pit and the Appleton Creek bridge to eliminate bottlenecks, said Walz.
“Instead of trying to squeeze into the very crowded gravel pit they will now park along widened sections of the road,” he said, adding that people getting dropped off should do in the same area as well.
Walz said that the plans are to keep the half and full shufflers separate.
To help raise funds for building another hiking hut along the trail, PRPAWS will be selling trail passports, T-shirts and books at the finish line. Donations will also be appreciated.
Some pre-race events are being organized for the night before including a Townsite Brewing tour, pasta dinner at Magpie’s Diner and drinks at The Hub.
For more information about the race, Saturday’s pre-events and to register, readers can go online.
