2011 Race Routes
Thanks to the City of Fernie, Ridgemont Holdings Ltd.and Trico Homes BC Ltd. for their ongoing support and land usage over the past two years, we are able to use a wide and varied selection of trails to suit the trail runner and mountain biker.
Whether competing as a team or a solo competitor, we hope the strong can be challenged and the novice can enjoy their first Mountain Duathlon. With start, change over and finish taking place at The Fernie Aquatic Centre, competitors and viewers will be able to easily see the best bits of the race!
Full details on the 2011 run and bike routes detailed below. 2012 information coming soon...
The Run
Starting at the Fernie Aquatic Centre, the run will head out on Elk Lake Heritage Trail, below Ridgemont, crossing the road into Old Stumpy. From there, you will head up Coal Discovery and onto the steep climbing section of Oh Dear. With a moments respite, you will then enter the recovery section that is R Trail, winding yourself through the depths of the trees. Before leaving the trees, you will take a sharp left onto the start of Little Chainring, Big Trouble. Starting to descend, follow the twisting trail, watching for a few steep sections. Taking a right, leading you onto the bottom section of Little Chainring, you will in the end hit Coal Discovery Trail, where you will start to head back into town. With the changeover almost in sight, you will then rejoin Elk Lake Heritage Trail below Ridgemont, powering those tired legs back to the Aquatic Centre.
Distance
The run is approximately 10.7km.
Terrain & Difficulty
The majority of the run is single track, with a combination of smooth forest floor, roots and natural obstacles under foot. Oh Dear is a steep climb, where competitors will be asked to step aside to allow faster runners pass. But the rest of the route is predominantly undulating and manageable. There is one water station for runners, positioned at the end the steep climb up Oh Dear.
The Changeover
The Changeover will take place adjacent to the Aquatic Centre - this area has changed slightly since last year due to the new dirt jump park. For liability purposes, each competitor/team, will only be allowed to have one designated person in this changeover area. They will be there to assist with clothing/gear change only.
If solo, competitors will change and head off on the biking leg. If a team, competitors will “tag” their teammate and clear the changeover area, waiting for their teammate at the adjoining finish area.
The Bike
The bike will take the Heritage Trail out towards Coal Creek meeting up with Cemetery By-Pass, up the ever familiar What’s Up Doc ( Lower Eco ) and onto Sidewinder through the clear cut. From here it continues up Broken Derailleur to the Four Corners , taking a right turn onto Deadfall back to Ridgemont Road where it meets Branch A Road . From there the route heads onto the Kid’s Stuff cross country loop connecting with Splitting Bear - technical at first and then flowing into a fun and fast downhill. Near the bottom of this trail it heads onto the steep climb up Split Decision and Eric’s Trail, back to Ridgemont Road and into a fast cross country circuit through Eco Terrorist where you can catch your breath before descending the switchbacks of Sidewinder, and heading back to the Aquatic Centre via Elk Lake Heritage Trail.
Distance
The bike is approximately 13.5km.
Terrain & Difficulty
The bike leg is predominantly Cross Country, with steady climbing and downhill that has some Black spots, but is generally Blue. This is a race of stamina rather than downhill fear! With the majority of the terrain being on single track, competitors will be asked to pull aside at appropriate spots, to allow faster bikers to pass. Either full suspension or hard tail bikes are suitable.
The Finish
The finish will be adjacent to the handover and start, where water and snacks will be available to all competitors.
