Seek The Peak Relay

Merrell is pleased to present the 5th Annual Grouse Mountain Seek The Peak Relay raising funds for Rethink Breast Cancer. The challenging 16-kilometer course starts on the beach at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver, winds its way through North Vancouver, then heads up the legendary Grouse Grind® to the Peak of Vancouver.  

Seek the Peak is not strictly a race for elite athletes. Participants are primarily motivated by the symbolic overcoming of a significant obstacle, reflecting the ongoing fight against breast cancer.

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Hundreds of Racers Battled the Elements for Breast Cancer in 2007

Last year’s Seek the Peak relay brought out close to 500 athletes of all ages and fitness levels, all ready for the challenge of tackling the 4,100-foot elevation gain in support of breast cancer.

Over several weeks, racers collected funds for non-profit organization, Rethink Breast Cancer.  Rethink Breast Cancer is dedicated to helping young people concerned about and affected by breast cancer through innovative education, research and support programs. To date, Seek the Peak has generated more than $110,000 for Rethink Breast Cancer.

Fundraising

This event is about Rethinking what matters. It’s about Rethinking our pain thresholds and our ambitions. More than this, it’s about Rethinking our priorities. So give to Rethink and together we will overcome breast cancer.

CLICK HERE TO START FUNDRAISING NOW!
Or, download the Manual Pledge Form (.pdf)



2008 Pricing and Registration

• Solo (complete the entire 16km distance)
• Team of 4 (must complete 16km distance together)
• Relay (4 stages ranging from 2 km– 6km)

Online registration is now closed please contact Guest Services for more information, or to register by phone at 604.980.9311.

The Race Is On
Race alone or join 3 friends to enter any of the Team or Relay categories. The race will consist of 4 stages:

• Stage 1: Ambleside Beach (Main Concession) to end of Keith Road - 3.5km
• Stage 2: Keith Road to Grouse Mountain via Capilano Pacific Trail system - 6km
• Stage 3: Grouse Grind® to Peak Chalet - 3.5km (2,800' vertical gain)
• Stage 4: Top of Grouse Grind® to The Peak of Grouse Mountain and back to plaza outside the Peak Chalet (FINISH) - 3km (400' vertical gain)
• Please click here for Course Map Stage 1 & 2 (.pdf), Course Map Stage 3 & 4 (.pdf), and Course Description (.pdf)

Prizing Categories

• Overall male & female
• Solo - Top 3 male and top 3 female each age category
  (Age Categories: Under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+)
• Team – Top team in each category
• Relay – Top Relay team in each category
• Draw prizing - open for athletes who sign up before race day

Timing and Results
Race Headquarters will be providing timing and result services for the 5th Annual Seek The Peak Relay. Results will be posted at http://www.raceheadquarters.com/ within 24 hours of the event.

Race Details:

Event Day Schedule - Sunday, July 6, 2008:

6:30am Event Day Registration begins at Ambleside, Main Concession
6:40am First bus leaves Grouse Mountain for Ambleside Park
7:00am Second bus leaves Grouse Mountain for Ambleside Park
7:20am Third and final bus leaves Grouse Mountain for Ambleside Park
7:30am Event Day Registration closes at Ambleside, Main Concession
7:45am Bus leaves Ambleside with Stage 2 Relay participants to drop off at Stage
2 start location. This bus will wait for all the stage 1 relay participants to
take them back to GMR once the last Stage 1 participant had arrived.
8:00am Warm-up with Innovative Fitness
8:10am Introduction and pre-race briefing
8:15am Race Begins
9:00am Est. first runner reaches the base of Grouse Mountain
9:35am Est. first runner reaches the Peak Chalet
9:45am Est. first runner reaches The Peak - Finish Line
~12:00pm Awards Ceremony.
1:00pm Wrap-Up Event

Athlete Information Sheet (.pdf)

Transportation:
Courtesy shuttle will be leaving at 6:40, 7:00, and 7:20 from the Upper Parking Lot to take participants to the start

Relay participants:
For Stage 2 Competitors, there will be a shuttle bus leaving from Ambleside (Stage 1) at 7:40am taking them to the start of Stage 2.  For Stage 1 Competitors, there will be a shuttle from the end of their stage to the base of Grouse Mountain. This bus will leave once the last stage 1 participant has finished.

Complimentary services
Services listed below are based on a first come first serve basis and are by donation with all proceeds benefiting Rethink Breast Cancer.

The Reflexology Association of BC will be onsite between 9:30am – 1pm giving complimentary 15 minute reflexology sessions to athletes participating in Seek the Peak. http://www.reflexologybc.com/

A few artists from Mehndi & More Body Art will be onsite between 9am – 1pm giving complimentary services of face and body painting & henna or airbrush tattoos to all racers, spectators and guests. http://www.mehndiandmore.com/

For volunteer opportunities, please contact jzaharko@grousemountain.com. 



Course Orientation Sessions:

Want to know what to expect on race day? Join us for a series of orientation sessions to get you acquainted with the course. These are primarily intended to instill you with a sense of confidence on the Seek the Peak terrain as it is quite varied and each segment presents its own unique challenges. These sessions are complimentary with a donation to Seek the Peak fundraising recipient Rethink Breast Cancer. Donations can be made upon arrival at the indicated meeting locations.

STAGE 1 & 2
Date: Sunday June 22nd 
Meet time: 9am
Meeting Start location: Orientation will begin at the Race Start Line at Ambleside Beach, Main Concession, West Vancouver
End location:  Checkpoint 2 - Base of the Grouse Grind - Grouse Mountain.

STAGE 2 & 3
Date: Wednesday, June 25th
Meet time: 6pm
Meeting Start location: Orientation will begin at Checkpoint 1 – Keith Road (near upper levels highway). Please see course map for further directions.
End location: Checkpoint 3 - Top of the Grouse Grind. Head down after or stay for Grouse Grind Social Nights in Altitudes Bistro.

STAGE 3 & 4
Date: Sunday, June 29th 
Meet time: 9am
Meeting Start location: Orientation will begin at Checkpoint 2 – Base of the Grouse Grind, Grouse Mountain
End location: Finish Line – Mountaintop Plaza, Grouse Mountain.

Orientation Run Leader – Eric P. Lorenz
For further information, directions or information on transportation and carpooling, please contact Orientation Run Leader, Eric Lorenz at eplorenz@gmail.com.

Please note: All orientation sessions are drop-in.



2007 Results

For a complete list of 2007 finish times, please visit http://www.raceheadquarters.com/

Course Records:
Men: 1:23:03 set by Colin Dignum at the 2005 Seek The Peak Relay
Women: 1:40:23 set by Katrina Driver at the 2006 Seek The Peak Relay