It’s that time of year again, but it looks like things will be a little different this year thanks to an over-obliging old-man winter this year.
The eighth edition of the 100-km Barkerville Rush Relay is set for May 22 and unless there is a dramatic warming trend, participants in the relay will likely be cursing as they mush through slush on the trail on the seventh-stage of the course.
In addition to the slushy snow, this year’s Relay Rush again offers participants the option of including 11 runners on each team, so the longer stages can be split into more manageable lengths, Barkerville Relay Rush committee member Greg Stebel said.
“This option was a significant factor in increasing the number of teams entering the competition because a lot more people are willing to run eight to 10 km as opposed to 17-plus km of stages two, three and four,” Stebel explained.
The option has indeed increased the number of participants for the event, Strebel said.
Organizers had set 25 teams as their target, but thus far 26 teams have signed up for the event.
One team, Karchie and Cecilia Peter plan on completing the 100-km course by themselves, buoyed by their experience in previous years where each ran two stages as part of a four-person team, Strebel said.
In addition to participants from Quesnel, the Relay Rush has piqued the interest of five teams from Prince George, two teams from Williams Lake and two teams from Pemberton.
Teams from Vancouver, Wells and Prince Rupert have also signed on for the challenge.
There are four categories of participation to meet the ability and age of interested participants. Costumes are encouraged and rewarded.
Registration begins at 3 p.m. May 21 at the Quesnel and District Recreation and Art Centre.
There is a kids’ fun race at 4 p.m. and a mandatory team meeting at 5:30 p.m.
The relay begins at 7 a.m., May 22 at the corner of Hwy 26 and Hwy 97.
For information visit www.barkervillerushrelay.com