About 250 runners will be on the move in Clearview and Mulmur this Saturday during the tenth annual Creemore Vertical Challenge.
Hosted by ultra marathon runners Lee Anne Cohen and Pierre Marcoux, the race draws people from as far away as the United States and Europe.
Races begin and end at their home between Creemore and Avening. The routes – 25, 50 and 75 km – take participants over roads and trails, sometimes on private property where permission has been granted.
The first runners will start out at 6 a.m. and all three races should start wrapping up around 2:30 p.m.
Cohen said people are always very supportive of the runners, often giving out water or popsicles along the route.
She wants people to know that there will be runners on the trail at the gulley at the top of Collingwood Street, which is often used by horseback riders and dirt bikers.
The non-profit event is run by more than 30 volunteers, including many local residents and neighbours of Cohen and Marcoux, and is affiliated with the Ontario Trail Series, Ontario Ultra Series, Canadian Ultra Trail Series, is a bronze level International Trail Ultramarathon and, new this year, the Canadian Skyrunning Federation, which means there is more vertical than in past years. The old course was approximately 850 meters vertical gain per 25 km loop. This year, it’s closer to 950 meters.
Handmade clay medals will be presented throughout the day and prizes include pottery made by Cohen, who make Mad Pots Pottery, and jugs of maple syrup produced by both Marcoux and Cohen, under the Mad About Maple Syrup label.
Participants are also rewarded with pizza, Creemore Springs beer and a dip in the Mad River after the race.
People are welcome to attend the awards ceremonies Saturday afternoon, August 6, at 7237 6-7 Sideroad Nottawasaga.