Important Pre-Race Information 2025
Get ready for our 22nd run!
This has A LOT of information in it; please take time to read it through as it should answer your questions about our trail race event. We suggest you print this and have it handy for reference.
The trails and lands around Cultus Lake, that are host to our trail race, are within S’ólh Téméxw, the unceded traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples, and part of traditional territory of the Nooksack. With gratitude, we honour and acknowledge these traditional lands.
Pre-Race
- Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the course by checking the course description and map on our website – See the drop-down menu from https://aroundthelake.ca/race-day/
- Please note registration closes on October 5th. Transfers are not permitted after this date, no exceptions. Also, Around the Lake does not provide deferrals.
- If you have been contacted by our registration team about completing your participant waiver in Race Roster, we appreciate your attention to this prior to October 15th.
Race Package Pick-Up
- Race package pick-up will be:
- Friday, October 17th, 2pm to 6pm (Garrison Running Co. store located at 45590 Market Way #2, Chilliwack)
- Saturday, October 18th (Race Day!), 7:30-8:30 am by the Main Beach start line
Picture ID needed at package pick-up. If you are picking up for other runners (e.g. as a Relay Captain) have a photo of their picture ID on your mobile to show at the package pick up table.
IMPORTANT: If you have yet to sign your race waiver, YOU must attend race package pick up in-person to sign the waiver, before you can receive your package.
Race Day
Parking:
- Pay Parking is available adjacent to the Main Beach start/finish line in either lot A or B.
- Do NOT park in the residential areas near Main Beach, in the plaza, or by the school—you’ll be ticketed and/or towed.
- There is no bus service to Cultus at this time of year.
What’s at Main Beach Start/Finish Area:
- Bathrooms
- Race day package pick-up (7:30 to 8:30am) at gazebo next to start/finish line
- Volunteer registration station
- Sponsor tents
- First aid/medical station
- Note there is no on-site gear storage.
Other Important Info:
- Solo and relay races start at 9:00 am at Main Beach, Cultus Lake
- Kids Race starts at 10:00am
- To ensure you are timed, you must cross the timing mats at the start – please go through the chute, and do not go outside the barriers.
- At the Watt Creek relay point/aid station, traffic can be very congested as relay teams meet, and vehicles come and go (including general park users).
- Please follow volunteers’ traffic directions.
- Cut off times:
- Watt Creek (11:45)
- All participants (full course & second half of the relay) by 2:00pm. Sweepers will be following the final participants.
- We are a ‘cup less’ event. Please bring your own bottle, flask, bladder etc. for water refills.
- Aid stations: four aid stations on the course. Expect water for bottles, flat Coke (ie. fizz let off) and packaged candy, chips. Please do not leave litter on the trails – put paper in a pocket, or give to a volunteer!
- Big Mac Photography (the amazing Rick MacDonald) is again looking after race photos—be sure to give a great trail smile and ‘thumbs up’ if you see Rick out on the trail!
- Finishing medals will be awarded to everyone crossing the finish line (medals for both relay team members).
Prizes
- Top female and male solo finishers each receive a hand-crafted walking stick made by Henry Rempel.
- Top three solo male and female racers receive a gift certificate from Garrison Running Co.
- The top finisher in each age category of the solo, and top teams in the three relay categories (female, male, mixed) receive a bottle of wine from the Plaza Liquor Store in Chilliwack. You must be present to receive your wine.
- Top three relay categories will receive gift cards from Kintec.
- NOTE: If you need to leave early and are an age group or top winner, please see a volunteer at the race finish area.
- Our sponsors have also donated generously to a prize table. Be sure to stop by to see if you have won one of these prizes (volunteers and race participants will be randomly selected).
- Finishing times, age placements, and team placings will be available online at www.trioevents.ca/results (day of), and on race website https://aroundthelake.ca/results/; or check race Facebook page for a link post-race.
Kids Race
- Start time is 10:00 am. Please meet at Main Beach near the start line at approximately 9:30 am to sign the waiver. More information about this event is available at: https://aroundthelake.ca/kids-race/
Sponsors
Okay – this event does not happen without sponsors! And we have a terrific group of sponsors to acknowledge:
Platinum:
- Ambipar
- Garrison Running
- Jaden Lee Realty
- Mt Waddington
- Murray Honda
- Plaza Liquor
- Rivercrest Contracting
Gold:
- Cultus Lake Golf
- Dreamscape Painting
- Hiwire Creative
- Jacks Cycle
- Kintec
- Land Coffee
- Safeway
Silver:
- Brightsource
- Optimum Sports
- Sidekick
Bronze:
- Valley Water
See more about these sponsors at: https://aroundthelake.ca/sponsors/ and thank them with your support and patronage.
Our race volunteers are the heart of our event! They will be dressed in race crew t-shirts, acting as course marshalls, at aid stations, and at other positions at the event. Be sure to give them a big ‘thank you’ when you pass by.
Thank you. Have an awesome race!