FAQS: LOOP THE VEDDER HALF MARATHON & 10K
Below is a list of frequently asked questions. If your question is not listed below, please reach out to us with an email at info@peaksnvalleys.ca.
Q. When is Registration Package Pickup?
Registration package pickup will take place the day before the race at Garrison Running Co. in Chilliwack. Package pickup will be available on race day morning, however this can be a busy time and most people from out of town will be picking up packages on race morning. If you are local, please arrange to pick up your package on Friday.
Q. Where should I park?
There are various parking venues located around the course for family, friends and spectators to cheer on their runners along the route.
Parking at the start/finish line is available at Vedder Park, but is limited, so plan accordingly. Pay parking is available nearby on Vimy Road in the UFV parking lot.
Q. Where does the race start and finish?
All race distances will start and finish at the head of the Rotary Vedder Loop Trail in the lower field between the Vedder Bridge to the East and the Vedder Parking area to the west. A detailed map of the staging areas will be provided via email to all registered participants the week prior to the race.
Q. Is there a maximum time to finish the course?
As the race course is entirely off-road on public trails, there is no maximum time to finish, however the official timing will end at 12.30pm.
Q. Are walkers allowed to register in the event?
Yes, recognizing that anyone on the course past 12.30pm will not be guaranteed an official finish time.
Q. Are runners allowed to take strollers and/or dogs on the course?
We love the idea of running with your little ones and four legged friends. Unfortunately, given the terrain is narrow on some parts of the course and the race route will be busy, strollers and dogs are not permitted to be on course with runners.
Q. Are wheelchair-competitors allowed to compete?
Wheelchair participants have participated and completed the 10km event with a partner runner. Given the terrain of the race is completely off-road, it may be challenging for a wheel chair to traverse the entire course alone, with mostly gravel terrain, and some single track and steep sections.
Q. Is the Half Marathon a road race?
It’s a fast, relatively flat, but entirely off-road course. The majority of the course is on groomed gravel/dirt trails, with some single track and a short, but steep climb near the end. These areas may present challenges such as mud, rocks, water, uneven surfaces and holes. Please remain alert for these types of obstacles, as well as for other runners and trail users. The course is a public multi-use trail and will remain open to the general public during the run. Less than 5% of the course is across paved sections.
Q. Can runners wear headphones?
Runners are strongly advised not to wear headphones while racing. With unpredictable trail conditions and the importance of remaining alert for other runners and trail traffic, it is important for runners to hear all activity around them. If headphones are worn, one bud should be left out and volume must be low enough to hear approaching runners.
Q. Will every runner receive a medal?
Yes, every finisher receives a medal – even the participants in the kids race!
Q. If the race is cancelled for any reason, including those related to COVID-19, how will I be notified? Will I receive a refund?
This is a rain or shine race. If the race is cancelled for any reason, we will make every effort to notify all registered runners via the email address provided during registration. In the event of cancellation of the event for reasons including, but not limited to, weather, forest fires, wildlife, acts of nature, war, strikes, Covid-19 Public Health Orders, or other circumstances, all entries will be automatically deferred to the same event in the following year. No registrations will be refunded.
Q. Where will the aid stations be located? Will there be anything on the course besides water?
There will be a total of 3 aid stations along the the 21K route and one aid station on the 10K route at the turnaround. There will be water, snacks and emergency first aid supplies at all stations, energy gels and/or electrolytes will be provided at the 2nd/3rd aid stations on the 21km route. All aid stations will be manned by volunteers.
Q. Where are the bathrooms located? Are there any on the course?
There are washroom facilities with running water located within close proximity to the start/finish area (Vedder Park). There are also port-a-loos located along the run course. For exact locations, please refer to the course map. These are public facilities that will be cleaned prior to and throughout race day, but it is encouraged that you carry hand-sanitizer or anti-bacterial wipes with you as we cannot guarantee the supply of these items at these locations through out the day.
Q. Do I need to be a registered runner to participate in the race?
Yes. We require all runners to be registered through Race Roster.com. Registered runners are required to wear the race bibs in the interest of safety. You must wear your bib throughout the race and it must be visible from the front of your body. The bib is a confirmation of race registration and gives you access to the entry chute and can identify you in case of an emergency on the trail.
Q. Is the course a closed course?
No, the Vedder Rotary Loop Trail is a public multi-use trail and as such will not be closed to the public. You may encounter other people on the course, however every effort will be made to advise of the race ahead of time and minimize the users on the trail for the duration of the event. We have purposefully selected a shoulder season for the race recognizing that given the time year, that the trail is less busy.
Q. What’s the race etiquette?
1. Keep a safe physical distance when possible between yourself and other runners and trail users.
2. Stay alert to others, ensuring appropriate physical distance when passing. There should be no reason for physical contact of any kind.
3. Show appreciation to the volunteers. They are an integral part of the event and it wouldn’t happen without them! We love our vol-run-teers!
4. If you need to stop for any reason, please watch for other runners and move to the side of the trail before stopping.
5. When finishing the race, be sure to keep moving through the finish chute. There may be other runners coming up behind you and we don’t want to block their way across the timing mat. Volunteers will be on site to direct participants accordingly.