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Running on the edge: Marathon, half-marathon and relay this weekend
It’s the running event of the year for those of us who live in Tofino and Ucluelet—as well as for the hundreds of runners who come out to the edge of the island for the marathon (42 km), half-marathon (21 km), or marathon-relay (each runner’s distance ranging from 7 km to 10 km).
Tofino and Ucluelet just happen to be 40 km apart—so near to the standard marathon distance (which is actually 42.2 km) that it only seemed logical to organize a marathon here.
This year marks the 12th running of the annual Edge to Edge Marathon.
For the first few years, the event alternated direction, so that Tofino and Ucluelet could take turns hosting the finish line. But in order to become a qualifying event for the prestigious Boston Marathon, the Edge to Edge had to standardize its course, so now it always starts in Tofino and finishes in Ucluelet.
A highlight of the course is around the 4 km mark, where runners heading south from Tofino duck out to world-famous Chestermans Beach and run for 2 km alongside the surf.
But that’s not even the prettiest part of the event! It is actually the half-marathon that provides the most spectacular scenery; much of the route follows Ucluelet’s world-class Wild Pacific Trail, skirting the cliff-edge where rainforest meets wave-dashed rocky shoreline.
Racers running this route should plan on appreciating these views rather than aiming for a fast time; the hilly route is not one where runners are likely to achieve a personal best race time.
But not everyone is a long distance runner. The Edge to Edge organizers know that, so they also include a marathon-relay category, for teams of five. The teams cover the full marathon route, but each competitor only runs between 7 and 10 km.
For people who are curious about marathons but feel overwhelmed by the distance and training, the relay is a great chance to try things out and take part in a marathon, without committing to the months (or years) of training that running the full marathon requires.
The Edge to Edge Marathon, Half-Marathon and Marathon Relay all take place this weekend: Sunday June 12th. Visit the Edge to Edge website for more event details.
- Photos & text by Jacqueline Windh©
