It won’t be skiers racing on the slopes as the P.E.I. Roadrunners host the Brookvale Ultra Trail Marathon at Brookvale Provincial Park on Sunday.
Runners will compete in 10-, 25- and 50-kilometre races that wind through the park’s mountain bike trails, cross-country and alpine trails along with trails on a neighbouring wood lot.
Shawn McCardle is one of the race organizers and said they hope to have about 75 to 100 runners this year because last year, which was the first for the race, they exceeded their expectations of about 40 runners.
“When we got 63 I thought it was quite good.”
The trail race differs from typical road races because the terrain makes it harder and McCardle said most people who run it are less concerned about their finish time than they would usually be.
“For most people it’s to go out and enjoy it.”
McCardle suggests anyone who has never run a trail race before should start off easy and not run too hard so they don’t wear themselves out early.
Some of the runners who can finish a 42-kilometre marathon in about three hours will complete the 50-kilometre race in about five or six hours, which shows the increase in difficulty on the trail, he said.
“The distance is a little longer, but the time is usually about doubled from the road.”
McCardle said it’s also different because the runners can’t just follow the road in front of them like they would on a road race and they have to pay attention to the trail markers so they don’t get lost like one woman almost did last year.
“You just have to be really attentive to where you’re going and look for the trail markers.”
Runners can register online at www.atlanticchip.ca or at the race site Sunday.
Registration is $10 in advance or $15 on race day for the 10-kilometre event and $30 in advance or $40 on race day for the 25- and 50-kilometre events.
rross@theguardian.pe.ca
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