Countdown to Snow to Surf

• Posted on March 4, 2008 at 9:52 AM
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Ever year I enter a team in the Snow to Surf Adventure Relay race and this year’s looks like the most challenging one yet. The organizers claim that the 26-year old event is the oldest adventure race in Canada. Teams of up to nine people race from the snow at Mount Washington ski hill to the Comox harbour in eight stages: a run up and ski down, a cross country ski, two running legs, a mountain bike and road bike section, a kayak paddle across a lake and then the final two man canoe from Courtenay to Comox.

The 175-odd team event attracts huge crowds at the finish line for cheering the teams in and drinking celebratory beers in the sprawling garden. For more than one person I know Snow to Surf Day is the best day of the year. If you can make it to the finish line get there early this year. You heard it here first: A ringer team from Calgary is planning on knocking the nine-time defending champion Bonzai Team off their podium. Should be exciting.

This year, will likely be the most painful race ever for me. I decided to put in a men’s team, but couldn’t find the nine people required. So my group of six guys are going to tackle the course. I will do the run up ski down and a running leg. Another member will do the XC ski and the canoe with my brother in law who will do the kayak and canoe leg. We’re hoping to finish in the top ten and still be able to walk the next day.

I’ve done the downhill run before – the fastest seven k I’ve ever run – but not the run up ski down. I just started training. My plan is to run up and down the local gravel pits. The first day was tough; I barely made it up once without stopping. I figure the training will be a good test for any summer shoes or clothes because I was pouring sweat.

Know anyone who wants to run downhill for seven kilometers on grades up to 12%? Drop me a note if you do.

Ryan