The popular but short-lived Campbell River 50K race will return this Labour Day weekend — with a new name and a few modifications.
The newly christened Snowden Trail Challenge will take place Sunday, Sept. 6 beginning at the PRT tree farm on Snowden Road, just north of Campbell River adjacent to Elk Falls Provincial Park.
The original Campbell River 50K, held from 2009 to 2011, was created to provide maximum challenge for experienced trail runners and mountain bikers.
The newly configured event retains a two-lap, 50K course that can be done as a run, as a mountain bike ride, as a combination of the two or as a two-person relay.
But in order to encourage more novices and less-experienced participants to take part, the River City Cycle Club, two less-technical routes have been created: a 14-km run loop suitable for those just getting started with trail running, and a 25-km loop for mountain bikers or runners.
The original Campbell River 50K was founded by Dan Clements, Jamie Farrer and Kevin Onclin. Known up and down Vancouver Island for its highly challenging distance and terrain, the race gained popularity with die-hard mountain bikers and runners and continued until 2011.
Arlene Halwa, a keen local ultramarathon runner, had a desire to resurrect the race. She organized a committee in late 2014 to work on the project, which was placed under the umbrella of the River City Cycle Club.
The course for the new Snowden Trail Challenge is completed and signs are up, and organizers invite those who to train on the course to start at the Lost Frog parking lot and simply follow the signs to the trail system.
Food and beverages will be available all day for participants, spectators and volunteers. For more information, to register or to volunteer, visit www.snowdentrailchallenge.com.