Summit 700 - August 2020 Self-Guided

Summit 700 5k & 10k trail runs return to Blue Mountain!

With the easing of restrictions due to Covid-19, we're now able to offer "Self-Guided" trail running races at Blue Mountain! Exactly what does self-guided mean? Well, both a 5k and 10k course will be permanently marked and participants can attempt the courses anytime throughout the month of August. Participants will need to submit their result/time to our RaceRoster Virtual Leaderboard and include a picture/screenshot of their activity from their preferred fitness tracking app (i.e. Strava, Suunto App, Garmin Movescount etc.). If you've never run with a GPS based fitness tracking watch, or don't own one, we recommend downloading the Strava app to your smartphone and running with your phone.

With Blue Mountain closed for mountain biking this summer we have access to some fantastic trails not seen in Summit 700 before.

5K Route Description: Straight up the mountain on the Cascade Trail! Summit 700 kicks off with 1.1k and 700ft of lung and quad busting climbing. Why not get the hard part over with early?! A good warm-up will be a must for this course. As you're heaving up the hill, some solace can be taken in the tranquil stream cascading down the escarpment from which the trail takes its name. Once on top, enjoy the views over Georgian Bay and catch your breath on 1.3k of flats over roots, rocks and along some smoother segway trails which bring you to one of the longest, flowiest downhills in all of Ontario! The Groove downhill trail twists, turns, banks and berms for over 2.5k at just the right pitch to really let your legs open up and enjoy the flow! The 5k course finishes at the bottom where you began! It's just a short jaunt back to the Village and the Northwinds Brewhouse patio overlooking the Millpond to enjoy a complimentary post-run drink.

Link to 5k Strava Route

10K Route Description: Double your pleasure with a 2nd climb of the escarpment! 10k runners follow the 5k course described above, but continue through the 5k finish arch, then hang a right on the paved trail for 500m, turning right again into and across the Orchard parking lot and picking up “The Grind” trail. The Grind is a mellower climb, but still ascends another 700ft over 2km to the top of the escarpment. A quick button-hook and down, down, down we go, bombing another 2km of the aptly named Ebb & Flow trail to the bottom of the Orchard Chairlift. Now turn left and retrace your steps though the Orchard Parking Lot and back across the paved trail to the Start/Finish line! Now you've really earned your post-race drink!

Link to 10K Strava Route

Course Map: Click here to download a course map.

Course Marking: Look for the Summit 700 Start arch at the bottom of the "Cascade" hiking trail. Courses will be marked with our Summit 700 arrows:

Cost: $39 plus HST & Registration Fee. Cost includes: Custom Buff Headwear, Bib #, Finishers Medal, Free Drink at Northwinds Brewhouse (beer, or non-alcoholic for dine-in only), Hiking day pass for Blue Mountain, samples from Powerade and Clif Bar.

Age restrictions: Due to the self-guided nature of the event, all participants must be 16 years or older, as of Dec. 31, 2020.

Promotional Codes/Discounts:

Hiking Pass?: Already have an annual hiking pass for Blue Mountain? Use code IHAVEAHIKINGPASS and save $8 off the entry fee.

Run Again?: Want to run both courses, or try to improve your time and register a 2nd result and collect another race kit? You'll need to register a 2nd time, however using code: IMRUNNINGAGAIN will save $10 off the entry fee, or code: IMRUNNINGAGAINANDHAVEAPASS will save $18 off the entry fee.

Transfer Entry from Postponed 2020 Event?: If you were registered for the July 11th, 2020 event that was postponed to July 10th, 2021 due to Covid-19, you may transfer your entry to this August 2020 - Self Guided event. Use promo code: TRANSFER when signing up and you will not be charged. You must use the same name and email address that was used to register for the postponed event. When your entry is received for the Self-Guided event we'll manually remove/cancel your entry from the Postponed event. To check if you'r registered for the postponed event, click here. There will be no refunds for any differences in entry fees paid.

*Enter Promo Codes at the bottom of the first registration page*

Race Kit Pick-Up:

Step 1. All runners must pick up a Race-Kit at the Hillside Outfitters retail shop, located in the Activity Central building in the Village at Blue Mountain. There will be a self-serve check-in kiosk and participants will require their Race Roster registration receipt in order to check-in on the tablet. If you already have an annual hiking pass for Blue Mountain, you’re all done and can go enjoy the run. Those without an annual hiking pass must proceed to Step 2.

Step 2. Proceed to Guest Services (also located in the Activity Central building) and use the Hiking Voucher included in your race kit to obtain a hiking day pass. All runners must have a valid hiking pass to access the courses.

Hours of Operation:

Hillside Outfitters: 8:30am - 9pm daily (click here for hours)

Guest Services: 8:30am - 9pm daily (click here for hours)

Northwinds Brewhouse: 11am - 11pm daily

Recommendations:

1. Check Blue Mountains Trails Report before heading out and make sure the following trails are open: Cascade, The Groove, The Grind, Ebb & Flow. Trails can be closed periodically due to foul weather, or maintenance.

2. Check the Weather. The trails at Blue Mountain are largely clay-based, which means they get very muddy and slippery with heavy rain. Wooden bridges also become very slippery with rain. We recommend avoiding wet weather days and waiting 24 hours after a heavy rain event to run the course.

Safety:

1. Participants are reminded this is a self-guided event and no one is monitoring your progress or condition. Participants must be self-sufficient at all times.

2. For On-Mountain Emergencies call: 1-877-445-0231 ext. 52900.

3. Each participant must inform another adult of their route and plan on the day they attempt the course.

4. It is highly recommended each participant carry a cell phone with full battery in a waterproof case.

5. Check the weather forecast and carry plenty of water if conditions will be hot and/or humid as there will be no water stations on the course.

Results: Results Link. The following age-groups will be recognized in the results: 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

Results Upload: As mentioned above, all participants are required to upload their result after they run. You’ll require your Race Roster confirmation number & last name. Click here to visit the results submission page.

Prizing: We’ll have great prizing from Salomon for the overall Male & Female podiums on both courses. Overall podium recipients will need to email (info@summit700.com) a full gps file, or link to their activity.

King and Queen of the Mountain - Summit 700 Climb - Fancy yourself a mountain goat? This year's Summit 700 timed-climb will be the Cascade Trail which both the 5k and 10k courses follow right out of the start for 1.14k. We won’t have on-the-ground timers in place, but if you want to see how you stack up on this climb visit your Strava account (or join Strava) and search for the “Cascade Trail Up” segment (Here is the link). Plus, if anyone is able to achieve a new “Course Record” (CR) (male or female) in Strava while participating in the event, we’ll provide a cash prize of $200!

Other Strava segments the courses cover:

The Groove (5K & 10K)

The Grind Up (10K only)

Ebb & Flow (10K only)

FAQ: