A fall challenge on character trails. Often muddy, wet and slippery. Two distances to choose from, with a classic climb to the summit of Stewart Mountain on the long course.

INFORMATION

Visit http://www.pih.bc.ca/stewartmountain, email stewartmountain@pih.bc.ca.

The 2023 Stewart Mountain race is organized and hosted by the Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club and is subject to current Provincial Health Officials and BC Athletics guidelines and approvals

Registration fees

Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees

5 or 10 Mile Trail Run Closed

Online registration closed

Price will increase at intervals with a final bump for procrastinators on race day. Discounts for PIH club and BC Athletics members.
1. $30.00
  
  Early
  
  Oct 5 – Nov 12
2. $35.00
  
  Regular
  
  Nov 13 – Dec 9
3. $40.00
  
  Late / Day-of
  
  Dec 9 – Dec 10

Online registration closes at 10am on Saturday, December 9th, 2023
Current PIH club members are entitled to a $10 discount on advance entry fees. If you paid for your membership using Race Roster you can enter your assigned membership number, which can be looked up HERE. If you paid via another method, have a lifetime membership, or otherwise have difficulties please contact Gary for an alternate discount method. You can join the club as part of the registration process and get the discount.
BC Athletics and other Athletics Canada members are also eligible for a $3 discount on advance entry fees. During registration you will be asked for your membership number, which can be looked up HERE. Members of recognized running clubs can join BCA/AC via their club registrar – for PIH that is Bob – while unattached members can join HERE.
Multi-time volunteers at past PIH Thetis Lake series races may also be eligible for a discount at the discretion of the race director.
Race Roster applies a not insignificant ($1.99 plus 6.99%) online processing fee to all non-zero payments. You can pre-pay by cheque or cash via Bob or Gary (also EFT) and receive a promo code for zero payment online registration.
Day-of-race registration is by cash or cheque only (unless you have internet on your device), full price, no discounts

Harriers Foundation

Stewart Mountain is one of four running events that is designated to annually support Harriers Foundation initiatives including student scholarships & bursaries, athlete travel, our youth development program and many other charitable projects within the community.

Notably the Harriers have founded six bursary and scholarship awards with UVic and Camosun over the years:
• John Thipthorpe Memorial Scholarship in Computer Science (1984),
• Gunner Shaw Memorial Award in Athletics (1986),
• Susan Reid Memorial Bursary in Civil Engineering (1997),
• Rosamund Dashwood Memorial Bursary in Dramatic Writing (2007),
• Ken Smythe Cross Country Award (2013), and
• Sandy Auburn Environmental Studies Memorial Scholarship (2018);
which together have dispensed over $71,000 total to at least 106 students through 2020.

The Harriers were also a major instigator and initial contributor to a seventh student award:
• Arthur Taylor Memorial Award in Track (2005);
that has dispensed over $44,000 total to 31 students through 2020.

Location

Thetis Lake Park, Victoria, BC. Start and finish near main beach. Google map

Park in the main lot at the end of Six Mile Road, or cycle the Galloping Goose trail and park at the beach.

Distance

The classic long course is approximately 10 Miles (16 Kilometres) and the shorter course approximately 5 Miles (8 Kilometres). This cross country event is sanctioned by BC Athletics.

Course

Main and secondary trails of Thetis Lake Park featuring mud, rocks and water crossings over rolling terrain. The long course also includes a significant climb to the top of Stewart Mountain.

The courses may change slightly each year based on authorized trails and race day conditions. 2023 Map jpg and trace

Courses will be well-marked, but participants are responsible for watching for directional indicators at all times.

Age Categories & Awards

Men's and Women's:

19 and under
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60 and over

Award presentations on the beach should commence around 1:15pm beginning with the short course.

Champion prizes are also awarded to the top Junior (U20), Senior (20–39), and Master (40+) finisher in the long course.

Various draw prizes including special 20th Annual toques / beanies.

$30.00 early registration fee until Friday November 12th, 2022 (the day after the Thetis Lake Relays), increasing to $35 after and $40 on race day. Discounts on advance registrations are available for PIH club members, BC Athletics members, and multi-time volunteers.

Registration

Please pre-register online, or by mail with a paper entry form. Do it early for the best rates. Note: Online registration will close at 10am Saturday, December 9th, 2023 and you can edit your registration information, including which distance, until then. Day-of-race registration at the beach is by cash or cheque only (unless you have internet on your device) from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. with a cutoff 15 minutes before each start. Overall limit of 600 entries.

Package Pickup

Only on race day, Sunday, December 10th, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Thetis Lake, start/finish area on the main beach.

Start Times

11:00 a.m. — early start for long course runners expecting to take over 2.5 hours. If you are new to the race, we suggest using your road half marathon time as a guide. Early starters who finish significantly ahead will be assessed penalty minutes and be ineligible for awards.

11:30 a.m. — main start for the long course.

12:00 noon — start for the short course.

Amenities

The wash/change room building will likely be closed and the water turned off. Port-a-potties are available, as will be a dry bag drop area. Many clubs/groups also bring their own tents and fire rings.

Our volunteers will be serving up a hearty selection of warming food including several items from the Chinese Kitchen generously provided by the local View Royal Quality Foods store in Eagle Creek Village, hot chocolate and more. Participants bringing their own reusable dishes may receive more generous servings.

The nearby 6-Mile Pub is also prepared to welcome us with happy hour drink features and a 10% discount on food. Just mention the name of the race.

Event schedule

Sat, November 18, 2023 11:59 p.m. - Early price ends
Sat, December 9, 2023 10:00 a.m. - On-line registration & info updates closes
Sun, December 10, 2023 10:00 a.m. - Day-of race registration opens
Sun, December 10, 2023 10:00 a.m. - Bib & wrist strap chip pickup opens
Sun, December 10, 2023 11:00 a.m. - 10-Mile race early start
Sun, December 10, 2023 11:30 a.m. - 10-Mile race main start
Sun, December 10, 2023 12:00 p.m. - 5-Mile race start
Sun, December 10, 2023 12:35 p.m. - first finishers – estimate
Sun, December 10, 2023 1:35 p.m. - last 5-Mile finishers – estimate
Sun, December 10, 2023 1:50 p.m. - last 10-Mile finishers – estimate

Contact information

Event contact: Gary Duncan
Email: stewartmountain@pih.bc.ca