Rain or shine, run or hike, Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society’s (PRPAWS) Marathon Shuffle has become a local rite of spring, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from the Upper Sunshine Coast and beyond.
“Nearly 75 per cent of the shufflers this year are from out of town,” said PRPAWS volunteer Dustin Villeneuve. “It's a great boon to the community and local businesses.”
The free, volunteer-run 29-kilometre trek promotes the Sunshine Coast Trail, Canada’s longest hut-to-hut hiking trail. It relies on the valued support of Tla’amin Nation, Club Fat Ass, and the Bloody Old Men’s Brigade (BOMB) Squad, said Villeneuve.
“We have a lot of new team members on the shuffle organizing committee this year with some big shoes to fill,” he added. “The committee, along with the trail maintenance workers, have been making preparations over the last few months and we're all really excited for the big day.”
Powell River’s 180-kilometre hiking trail has grown hugely in popularity since its beginnings in 1992, and is a source of pride and enjoyment for the local community as well as helping to establish tourism in the region.
“Thousands of people from all over the world come to Powell River each year to experience the Sunshine Coast Trail,” said Villeneuve.
In previous years there was an option to do a half shuffle, but this year the event is returning to its roots, he added, and just features the full shuffle, following its traditional route from Malaspina Road to the marina at Powell Lake. The 350 participants will travel through some stunning scenery, including pockets of preserved old-growth and temperate rainforest, alongside creeks and lakes and past one of the 15 huts on the trail.
There is no entry fee, however, donations are welcomed to support PRPAWS in the ongoing maintenance work on the trail and huts, said Villeneuve.
“It's really special that we have Canada's longest hut-to-hut hiking trail in our very own backyard,” he added. “This event gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate this local treasure in a fun, competitive atmosphere.”
There are currently still a few spots left for Sunday's shuffle. For more information, go to sunshinecoast-trail.com/events/registration.
