Canada's original adventure race wrapped up Sunday (Sept. 11) and maintained its reputation as a gruelling and eccentric event.
Racers from all over North America, and two from Squamish, took on the Sea2Summit's daunting challenges, which were kept a mystery and only revealed at each checkpoint. The race always features at least one unusual event, and this year it was extreme Twister.
"To the best of my knowledge," laughed race director Dave Howells, "everybody stayed fully clothed and managed to get through it."
Starting on Saturday (Sept. 10) close to 300 athletes tested their physical strength and endurance throughout the 160-km race by running, paddling and cycling from Deep Cove to the finish line in Whistler Village on Sunday (Sept. 11).
The first individuals, pairs and teams of four competitors paddled up the Indian Arm, retrieved the bicycles organizers had barged to the location and biked to Squamish to trek up Crumpit Woods.
"A lot of people commented on the trek," said Howells. "The views are just phenomenal."
Racers finished the first day of the journey on Cleveland Avenue some six hours after starting, while newcomers and slower athletes took anywhere from seven to 12 hours to arrive. Competitors occupied hotel rooms and hostels all over town to rest for the 7 a.m. start the following day. On day two, the horde of 300 racers cycled from Squamish to Whistler Creekside and before launching into the final stage, an 18 km trek to Whistler Village, competitors engaged in a three minute session of twister.
The first to arrive was David Kvick of North Vancouver with a time of 11 hours, six minutes. He was quickly followed by the first two co-ed racers, Norman Thibault and Wendy Simms, who arrived in 11 hours, 30 minutes. And the first team of two males, Justin Mark and Denis Fontaine came in next with a time of 11 hours, 44 minutes.
Squamish resident Julie Miller arrived in her category's fourth place with her co-ed team, We Got Skills, in 15 hours and 56 minutes. And Squamish's Gary Robbins took on the race as an individual and came in 11th with a total time of 13 hours and one minute.
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