Once again the time has come for a popular rite of spring. The 19th annual Marathon Shuffle on Sunday, April 29, is an outing for hikers and runners to enjoy a 29-kilometre-long section of the Sunshine Coast Trail.
This section, from Malaspina Road to the Shinglemill Pub and Bistro, has been groomed and marked by members of Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society (PRPAWS) and the BOMB (Bloody Old Men’s Brigade) Squad. Brand new kilometre markers and roughly 1,000 red metal squares have been installed, as well as numerous carved directional signs that will keep participants from straying from the route. In addition, chalk lines at junctions will take the guesswork out of which way to go.
Participants to this free event are asked to register online by clicking on Marathon Shuffle on the home page, then Event Details under the picture, and Registration at the top of the next page. This allows the organizers to prepare for the event and know how many people to expect, and for participants to view pages of details, from free trail descriptions and maps to listings of past records.
Shuffle participants who have pre-registered online will meet at 7:30 am on Sunday, April 29, at the Shinglemill parking lot to receive their participant numbers and purchase their bus tickets. As a first come, first served service, a limited number of seats are available on a bus that will take participants to the start, but the seats must be reserved by calling Lita Biron 604.485.2090. Last-minute registrants are asked to come earlier, at 7:15 am, to fill out their registration forms. Departure is at 8 am for the traditional pre-race group picture, and an 8:30 am shotgun start at the Malaspina trailhead, a kilometre east of Highway 101.
There will be five water and snack stations at logging road crossings that can also serve as emergency exits. Participants take part at their own risk. They are asked to carry rain gear, wear good footwear and bring some snacks and extra water to stay hydrated.
The 12-kilometre-long Half Shuffle is becoming more and more popular as it takes only three to five hours of moderate hiking. It begins six kilometres up Wilde/Tomkinson Road at 10 am and encourages a more leisurely pace. Participants sign in at the Appleton Canyon parking lot and follow the well-marked trail past vistas and swimming spots.
At the finish line all registered participants are asked to sign out and be accounted for, to receive their standings and a perhaps a medal for the competitive runners.
