On Saturday, August 31 at 9 am the axe will fall and approximately 200 runners will surge across the starting line on their way to a fun but challenging 21+ km run on some of Bowen Island’s finest trails.
The race, now entering its 11th year since inception (and 10th official running), starts on the Government Dock and completes a loop of Killarney Lake, Mount Gardner via Skid Trail, Handloggers Trail and the MidIsland Trail, taking in the Grafton Lake Loop followed by a downhill cruise to the spectacular finish line on the Causeway. The course is a mix of mountain and park trail with a little over 700 metres of climbing involved.
In similar form to 2023, the race sold out early in July and has a growing waiting list. The event has become something of a destination event hosting an international field of runners with registrations from all across Canada, the USA, Europe, United Kingdom, and Japan in this year’s event.
A large contingent of local runners from Bowen Island and the lower mainland have completed the run multiple times and appear to be making it a part of their annual race plan.
This year I have been so grateful to have amazing support with race organization and especially volunteer coordination from Stephen Edwards and Amanda Ockeloen. The race requires almost 30 volunteers to give up most of their Labour Day Saturday to stand or sit beside the course providing directions, refreshments, First Aid, safe road crossings, and race officiating all around the course, and there is a lot of organization, shopping, procurement, permitting and registration to handle before the race can be held.
We’re so grateful to everyone who volunteers to help. We are still looking for more volunteers to help with course marshalling and various other race day duties. Please email [email protected] if you would like to help out.
If you’re already registered - thank you from the race organization and see you soon! The race will start at 9 am sharp and finish at approximately 1 pm on Saturday, August 31. Our event will be cup free again this year. Please remember to bring your own re-useable cup for use at aid stations and the finish line.
Everyone is welcome to come along and get involved as a volunteer or to cheer runners on from the sidelines.
Full details about the event are available on our website (handloggershalf.com) or email [email protected] with any questions. Our race is sanctioned by BC Athletics and we have a risk management plan in place to run a safe and happy race for everyone.
Proceeds will continue to support Bowen Island Trail Society and other worthy causes benefitting the Bowen Island community. We are very grateful to have a number of community sponsors and community-based volunteers supporting our race again this year.
