Nesters Market Squamish50 Trail Race

Nesters Market Squamish50 Trail Race

Squamish is one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations, located just 45 minutes from Whistler and an hour from Vancouver. The community is nestled in the foothills of several mountains, on the shores of the Mamquam River and Howe Sound. Its diverse terrain includes beaches, coastal rainforest, alpine meadows, glaciers and mountain crags.

Access to several provincial parks – like Stawamus Chief, Alice Lake and Brackendale Eagles Provincial Par – and the many forests that blanket the hills and mountains, the lakes, rivers and streams, and vast trail networks, all make Squamish an ideal location for hikers and runners to compete.

Each year Squamish hosts the Squamish 50 races. The trails are tough and truly unforgettable trail running experiences. More than 90% of the trails are singletrack, and there’s over 11,000 feet of climbing and descent. The Squamish 50 events were constructed by runners for runners and they highlight the very finest trail running terrain in Western Canada.

There are 3 events this year: the 50 Mile, 50 Km and 50/50. The 23 Km event has been postponed until 2022.

50 Mile

The 50 Miler is an exceptionally difficult course. The first 9.65 km (6 miles) are relatively flat; as is the final mile. The terrain in between features over 3350 m (11,000 ft) of ascents and descents. The longest largest individual climb is 760 m / 2500 ft.

This race will begin at Junction Park on Cleveland Avenue Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 5:30am. All runners will be required to start with a headlamp. The race will finish at Junction Park, Cleveland Avenue.

50 Km

The 50 Km is a very challenging course. It’s a point to point race without any loops. Like the 50 Mile, there are flatter sections at the beginning and end. The terrain in between features over 2500 m (8500 ft) of ascents and 2750 m (9000 ft) of descents. There’s a 11.5 hour cutoff time for this race.

This race will begin at Black Bear Rd off the Sea to Sky Highway, at the entrance to Alice Lake Provincial Park, on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 6:15 am. The race will finish at Junction Park, Cleveland Avenue.

50/50

The 50/50 is the ultimate test, with racers completing the 50 Miler and 50 Km events back-to-back on consecutive days, for a total of 130 km. For those tackling the 50/50 for multiple years, there’s a special colour assigned that indicates the number of times the 50/50 has been completed, worn as a badge of honour. There are the coveted custom made awards, and for all who cross both finish lines on consecutive days there’s a limited edition 50/50 trucker hat.