Gary Robbins is launching new 100K race in B.C.

Canadian path working stoke is about to hit new heights this summer season with the arrival of the Alpenglow 100, a difficult but breathtaking race hosted by Gary Robbins and Geoff Langford, the masterminds behind Coast Mountain Path Operating (CMTR) and fashionable occasions just like the Squamish 50. Set in Valemount, B.C., on July 4th and fifth, this race affords an opportunity to push your limits, whereas soaking in certainly one of Canada’s most beautiful landscapes. With Robbins and Langford on the helm, the Alpenglow 100 is certain to grow to be an instantaneous basic.

The Alpenglow 100—a race like no different

The Alpenglow 100 takes its title from the mesmerizing pure phenomenon the place refracted mild paints mountaintops in hues of pink and gold simply after sundown or earlier than dawn. Robbins emphasizes the race’s distinctive nighttime begin: “Runners will get to expertise [alpenglow] firsthand as they embark on their journey at nightfall, working by means of the night time in certainly one of Canada’s most spectacular mountain settings.” The course isn’t any straightforward feat, with the 35K race boasting 1,700 metres of elevation acquire, the 60K race that includes 3,300 metres of elevation acquire, and the 100K distance an actual leg-burner with 4,800 metres of elevation acquire.

The mountains of Alpenglow

“Valemount is principally the abbreviation of Valley and Mountains,” says Robbins, explaining that the small mountain city, about an hour west of Jasper and 20 minutes south of Mount Robson, is the best place for a phenomenal however robust race. Robbins has spoken concerning the inspiration drawn from the towering peaks that encompass Valemount. The city sits on the assembly level of three mountain ranges—the Cariboo, the Monashee and the Rocky Mountains—making it a great dwelling for an epic race.

A community-driven occasion

The city, with simply over 1,000 full-time residents, has embraced the occasion with open arms.“We’ve by no means in these 15 years had such unimaginable response and need from the area people to make one thing occur,” Robbins says. “Each single native enterprise, native stakeholder, everlasting purposes—each dialog at each step of the best way has been met with resounding assist.”

This overwhelming enthusiasm has been a stark distinction to Robbins’ current struggles with different race initiatives. “As is sort of publicly recognized, we went by means of form of the precise reverse with Vail Resorts very lately,” he says. “This has rejuvenated each of us and me specifically because the course designer.”

Journey meets sustainability

Past the problem and fantastic thing about their races, Robbins and his workforce are additionally recognized for the measures they take to ensure their occasions are environmentally aware. “We’re dedicated to minimizing our ecological footprint and preserving the pristine fantastic thing about the Canadian Rockies for future generations,” Robbins says. Sustainability measures, reminiscent of waste discount methods and Go away No Hint rules, can be a core a part of the race’s execution. Much like their practices in different races, CMTR plans to donate between 5 and 10 {dollars} per bib to native trails or search and rescue organizations.

“We additionally plant a tree for each race bib we promote,” Robbins says. “We’ve been doing that for many years now. We’ve planted over 20, 000 bushes we do that by means of an Indigenous youth program in my hometown of Chilliwack.” Robbins says that CMTR dedicated to going carbon impartial a few years in the past, including that in addition they don’t use gasoline turbines, and go for battery packs wherever potential.

Get able to occasion

All races will conclude by sunset on Saturday, with a full of life post-race celebration deliberate for Sunday. Stay music, native meals and an electrical ambiance will greet runners as they get well from their mountain exploits. If you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to have raced at Squamish 50 or one of many different occasions that CMTR hosts, you’ll be eagerly anticipating the post-race festivities—when you’re a beginner, get able to occasion, trail-runner fashion. ” On Saturday night time, we’re gonna have an old style farm hoedown with reside music and meals distributors and simply strive to have a nice time and have fun the whole lot with the group,” Robbins says.

Registration opens in February, with restricted spots out there in every race, so have your laptop helpful to verify your spot in what is certain to be a spectacular trail-racing expertise.