While the permanent cancellation of the Whistler Alpine Meadows (WAM) ultramarathon series will continue to be felt amid the Sea to Sky running community for some time, a new local event is in the works.
On September 24, recreational equipment brand Escape Route is hosting a brand-new edition of the Rubble Creek Classic. Athletes will be taking on a 26-kilometre course that winds its way across one of British Columbia's most visually-striking national parks from Cheakamus car park to Rubble Creek. All competitiors must be self-supported.
Dynafit will provide prizes for the fastest three male and female contestants, while other spot prizes and a bonus for last place ensures that everything has a chance to go home with something. Once the race concludes, Whistler Brewing Co. will host an after-party with food, drinks and live music.
"When we heard that the Whistler Alpine Meadows was cancelled, we were gutted," said Oli Kennedy, digital marketing manager for Escape Route. "We love the running stoke that races bring to the village. It got us thinking about a community running event and naturally, bringing back the Rubble Creek Classic came to mind."
From the 1980s to the late 2000s, the original Rubble Creek Classic was a popular staple on the calendar of most local runners. It ended in 2014 due to perennial September snow, but the seemingly-lengthening summers in recent years convinced Escape Route and its partners to try resurrecting the event.
"We want this race to be a fun event, where locals runs with their friends and enjoy the incredible scenery in our backyard," Kennedy said. "We want to say a big thanks to Erik from BC Parks, who has been fantastic in helping us work out permits, and to Jon Burak who helped us by getting promos set up in Mountain Life."
Demand for community running is evidently high, for the 2023 Rubble Creek Classic has been sold out as of June. Find out more on the Escape Route website.
