Four Lakes 10k — Garden Bay 2019 Results

Plus 3k Family Fun Run/Walk

9:00am Sunday, August 11th, 2019

Katherine Lake

Welcome to the Four Lakes 10k on the Sunshine Coast of BC! This run starts and finishes at Katherine Lake Park (in Pender Harbour), going past Garden Bay Lake and Mixal Lake on the way to Hotel Lake, then back (see map). The route is tranquil with gorgeous lake views and long shady sections. Hosted by PaceSetter Athletic Run Club; sanctioned by BC Road Running. There is also a 3k Family Fun Run/Walk (not timed) starting and finishing in the same place — so bring the whole family (but not your dog) and make a day of it!

Banana Rating

“I want to thank you and your team for putting on a really nice community event yesterday. Beautiful setting and supportive folks, both runners and non-runners. That was my first time in the event and I really enjoyed it — had a very nice feel to it. Well done,” — Pat Lewis, Sakinaw Lake

PaceSetter Athletic Run Club
PaceSetter Athletic Ryder's Eyewear

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How to Register

Entry Fees — SAVE $5 in the 10k by pre-registering!

10k: $15 pre-registered, $20 day of event. BC Athletics 'athlete' members deduct $3.
3k: Individual $5. Family of 3 or more $15 flat rate (parents & their own children under 18 living at the same address).

Online Registration now closed — limit of 100 entrants

Race Day Registration

Sign up from 8:00 to 8:45am at the gazebo at Katherine Lake Park. Cash or cheque/money order only. Park at the designated parking area and walk in (approx 150m). There is no parking at the end of the road!

Bib # Pickup

Pick up your bib number on race morning from 8:00 to 8:45am at the gazebo at Katherine Lake Park. Park at the designated parking area and walk in (approx 150m). There is no parking at the end of the road!

Confirm Your Online Registration

Entry Confirmation: see who's signed up

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Volunteers Wanted!

We need volunteers for this event to happen. If you're not planning to run, please consider helping out! Or if you're running, ask your non-running spouse or friend to volunteer and support you. Volunteers have access to the food and will be entered in the prize draw. PaceSetter Athletic Run Club members also earn free entry into another event!

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Location

area map - click to enlarge

(click map to enlarge) To get to the start: From Vancouver, head to Horseshoe Bay in West Van, take the ferry to the Sunshine Coast / Langdale (before race day; first morning ferry won't get you there on time). Follow signs to take the main highway route through Upper Gibsons and towards Sechelt.

From the Lower Sunshine Coast, head up the highway to Pender Harbour, past Madeira Park to Garden Bay Road (at the Petro-Can). Turn left onto Garden Bay Road and go 5.5km to Katherine Lake Park (look for sign). Turn right and go about 400m to the parking area. There is no parking at the end of the road; see parking info below.

Coming from Powell River: you can take the first ferry on race day which gets you to Earl's Cove by 8:15am. Drive down the SC Highway about 15km and turn right at the Petro-Can onto Garden Bay Road. Go 5.5km to Katherine Lake Park (look for sign). Turn right and go about 400m to the parking area. There is no parking at the end of the road; see parking info below.

Please keep fairly quiet at the registration area as campers will still be sleeping! This is also why we ask that you not drive to the end of the road and out again.

finish line and gazebo

Parking

Carpooling is strongly encouraged as space is limited. Park in the grass "race parking" area to the left or the "public parking" area on the right and walk in from there to the beach area (about 150m). Registration will be beside the gazebo, or under it in case of rain.

Facilities

There are indoor toilets at the public parking lot. There are also indoor washrooms with showers at the end of the road above the caretaker residence, but since the campers will be using that one, it's better to use the parking lot one. No toilets on the race route but lots of forest in the middle section...

Camping

If you really want to be close to the start, consider camping at Katherine Lake Park the night before. Reservations recommended as it fills up fast: 1-604-883-9557. There are 26 RV spots and 10 campsites. Hotel Lake has a private campground (1-604-883-2354).

Hotels

There's a nice motel on the highway just south of Garden Bay Road called Stonewater (13483 SC Hwy). Tel: 1-604-883-0046. A little further away is the relatively new (rebuilt) Pender Harbour Hotel in Madeira Park.

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Course

No dogs allowed

For everyone's safety and comfort, please leave your dog at home or in your campsite. No dogs are allowed at the beach area of Katherine Lake Park. No bicycles, skateboards, roller blades or roller skates allowed on course.

Jogging/running strollers are allowed on both routes, starting at the back. Other types of baby strollers okay on 3k route only, though be aware that half of the 3k route is dirt road, so bigger wheels are recommended.

No Headphones or Earphones

Since the course is not closed to traffic and the roads are winding with no shoulder, HEADPHONES / EARPHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED. You need to be able to hear approaching vehicles and instructions from marshals. Music in your head is totally okay, though.

There is little or no shoulder on either route, so be prepared to go on the gravel or grass verge to avoid vehicles (most will give you plenty of room but if a car is coming in the opposite direction, they may not be able to). Though there is very little traffic in this rural area, you do need to be alert for vehicles at any time, just like you would on a training run (we hope!). Use common sense and stay close to the verge at all times.

Courses will be marked with bright yellow signs and flour arrows at corners, with marshals at critical road crossings.

10k map

10k — 9am: There will be 2 water stations, each passed twice (total 4 opportunities to get water).

Click for 10k map with elevation profile — Starting near the beach at Katherine Lake Park, run out to Garden Bay Road and turn right. You will be directed across the road to the left side, facing traffic. Run beside Garden Bay Lake for about 800m to the first turnaround point. A course marshal will be there to warn traffic as you cross the road and head back in the opposite direction.

Mixal Lake

When you get back to Irvine's Landing Road turn left. Follow the flat to mildly undulating road past Mixal Lake, then continue to Hotel Lake via a series of 3 moderate hills, separated by flat stretches. If you're too warm when you reach the lake, there are a couple of nice rope swings... Turn left onto Hotel Lake Road and follow the road along the shore past the camping area and cottages. At the end of the lakefront portion you'll be at the second turnaround point, marked with a large cone and sign.

Now head back along Hotel Lake Road and Irvine's Landing Road, the same way you came but in reverse and on the opposite side of the road (wave to the other runners!). Turn left onto Garden Bay Road and then left again at Katherine Lake Road. It's nearly all downhill and flat from Hotel Lake, except for the very end of Irvine's Landing Road and a couple of short hills on Katherine Lake Road. At the very end, follow the cones into the path at your left before the crest of the last hill, to finish just below the gazebo. The beach is right there for a cool dip (see photos at top and bottom of page).

Family 3k Fun Run/Walk

3k Fun Run/Walk — 9:05am: There will be 1 water station at approximately 2 km.

Click for 3k map with elevation profile — Starting 10 minutes after the 10k group at Katherine Lake Park, follow the 10k course (described above) with the out and back on Garden Bay Lake Road. When you come back to Irvine's Landing Road, instead of turning left along the 10k route, cross the road (marshal will direct you), turn RIGHT and head back the way you came (same final km as the 10k). Stay on the left side facing traffic, and turn left into Katherine Lake Park Road. Finish line is just below the gazebo at Katherine Lake Park. This event is a fun run/walk only — no times or results will be recorded. Distance is approximate. If you take longer than 25 minutes, watch for 10k runners coming up behind you at the finish and please keep left so they can pass on your right.

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Timing and Results

10k times will be recorded with a professional printer-timer device. Display clock will be set up at the finish line. Please make sure your bib number is CLEARLY VISIBLE on your chest (not on your leg or back). Final results to be posted on this website by the end of race day.

Awards & Prizes

After the run, custom race medals will be presented at the gazebo to the top 3 male and female finishers in the 10k in each of the following age groups: 19&Under, 20-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. The 3k is a fun run only so no race awards will be given for that distance. Both 10k and 3k participants have a chance to win draw prizes, as do volunteers.

Feeling great

Post-run Refreshments

Fresh fruit, home-made goodies and water will be available at the finish. We recommend bringing a picnic lunch and staying at the lake for a while (either Katherine Lake or one of the other lakes on the route). Or, stop at the Crossroad Grill on your way home (at the start of Garden Bay Road, across the highway from the Petro-Can). There's an ice cream stand there too! Going the other direction, at the end of Garden Bay Road, are Laverne's Grill and the Café at John Henry's. In Madeira Park, there are several cafes, plus the large and welcoming Grasshopper Pub & Restaurant.

Results & Photos

Questions?

Contact Larry or Teresa at 604-885-8849 (Sunshine Coast) / Toll-free 1-877-493-5163, or teresa@pacesetterathletic.ca.

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