Important Pre-Race Information 2026

Hello Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 Trail Race Participants!

Race day is Saturday, October 17th! Get ready for our 23rd running – here is your pre-race email! Please take time to read it through as it should answer your questions about our trail race event.

*** Please note that there will be roadwork on Columbia Valley Highway on race day, with single-lane alternating traffic from Chittenden Road to Parmenter Road. The roadwork may cause delays getting to the start. Please give yourself plenty of extra travel time. ***

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 closed on October 3rd. Transfers are no longer permitted, no exceptions. Around the Lake does not provide deferrals.
If your participant waiver has not been completed in Race Roster (there are four sections to sign), we appreciate your attention to this prior to October 14th. Participants who still need to sign their waivers have been emailed.

Race Package Pick-Up

Race package pick-up will be: Friday, October 16th, 2pm to 6pm, at Garrison Running Co. store located at 45590 Market Way #2, Chilliwack; and Saturday, October 17th (Race Day!), 7:30-8:30 am by the Main Beach start line.
Please have picture ID to show at package pick-up. If you are picking up for other runners (e.g. as a Relay Captain) please have the people you are picking up for send you a photo of their picture ID to your mobile so you can show it at the package pick up table.
Garment exchanges: If you wish to exchange your garment for another size, we may be able to do this after package pick-up closes. Please visit the package pick-up area at Main Beach after 8:40 am on race day. Any garment exchanges are subject to availability.
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 is available adjacent to the Main Beach start/finish line in either lot A or B. You must pay to park here. Please familiarize yourself with fees and payment methods. These lots are patrolled so please be sure you are paid up for the full time you expect to be parked in the lot. Do NOT park in the residential areas near Main Beach, in the plaza, or by the school—you’ll be ticketed and/or towed. We suggest carpooling where possible, or getting dropped off/picked up. There is no bus service to Cultus at this time of year.
At Main Beach, you’ll find: bathrooms, race package pick-up, the volunteer registration station, sponsor tents, and a first aid/medical station. Note there is no on-site gear storage.
Package pick-up: as noted in the previous section, package pick-up will run from 7:30 to 8:30 am (approx.) at the gazebo next to the start line. Please be sure to arrive early enough to pick up your package which includes bib and timing chip.
The solo and relay races start at 9 am at Main Beach, Cultus Lake. Be sure to listen to the pre-race announcements just before start time—these are for your safety!
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: at Watt Creek, the relay exchange, cut off is set for approximately 2 ¾ hours after the official start (so, if start at 9am, cut off at Watt Creek will be 11:45am). We expect all participants to complete the full course (or second half of the relay) by 2pm. 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: we will have four aid stations on the course. Expect water for bottles, flat Coke (ie. fizz let off), candy, and chips. No cups for water. Please do not leave litter on the trails – put waste 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

Our top male and female solo finishers will each receive a hand-crafted walking stick made by Henry Rempel.
Top three solo male and top three solo female racers will receive a gift certificate from Garrison Running Co.
Top relay teams in the three relay categories will receive gift cards from Kintec.
The top finisher in each age category of the solo, and top teams in the three relay categories (female, male, mixed), will each receive a bottle of wine from the Plaza Liquor Store in Chilliwack. You must be present to receive your wine (and have someone 19+ to accept it, if underage).
If you need to leave early and are an age group or top winner, please see a volunteer at the race finish area.
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 check in. More information about this event is available at: https://aroundthelake.ca/kids-race/