Hi |*FIRST_NAME*|,
If you missed the last update, you can find it here: https://raceroster.com/events/2025/89980/the-divide-200/page/august-19-racer-update.
CP6/10 UPDATE + SUPPORT/PACER DRIVING DIRECTIONS
As mentioned in the last update, we are moving CP6/10 to the Coleman Polish Hall. This will have a lot of advantage in that it's indoors! We will have a rest area inside, with most of the food happening outside. The updated support/pacer driving directions are available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nlKx8mZ_nga5K9TzyHJp3QT42XSMyVsMLSJPaqI2OG4/edit?usp=sharing.
The CP will just be about 1.5km north of where it is now. We have not updated the GPX tracks for the individual segments to reflect this yet, just because it's a ton of work. The main route does not change, though. The route always went right past it. There will be support crew parking on the street, but also in the large clearing just to the west, across the creek – see the wee map below. Anyone with RVs or large vehicles should park there.
Our friends at UltrAspire Canada and spry are going to be bringing a pizza oven to CP6/10, as well as cooking up other goodies for everyone. They cannot be there the whole time, but we're going to leave it a bit of a mystery for now – hey, if you don't see them, you wouldn't know they were there, so it will be the luck of the draw. UltrAspire and spry are going to have a few other surprises to make your race better, so standby for that. Look for them at the pre-race and get your last-minute gear.
COURSE CHANGES + CONDITIONS – UPDATE
We are still investigating the logging around the CP6/10 area. We will push an update to the route next week, if it is warranted. Right now everything looks clear, but we have to meet with the logging company to make sure they are done. So no panic! Even if we do reroute last minute, it will be clearly flagged, and we should be able to send out a revised GPX beforehand.
The course is really dry for the moment. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, so we won't even guess what it will be like next week, but so far, so good. There has been some lingering smoke for the last few days, due to fires farther to the west, but there are currently no active fires in this region that would affect the race.
CANADIAN RUNNING MAGAZINE
Our friends at Canadian Running Magazine want to offer all of The Divide 200 competitors a complementary subscription for two months. The magazine offers all the great stuff you would expect, but with a big focus on Canadian content and the Canadian running scene. They always give great coverage to the outstanding races across the country, so I hope you will check them out. We hope you enjoy this perk. https://us7.campaign-archive.com/?e=%5bUNIQID%5d&u=5d673c4ff63b4fc3ac37c3118&id=20c0e970d1
PRE- AND POST-RACE MEALS FOR CREW AND SUPPORTERS
Registered competitors receive dinner on both Thursday and Tuesday evening as part of their registration. You are also able to buy extra tickets for support crews, pacers, and others. This isn't your ordinary race meal – it is catered by the chefs at Castle Mountain Resort, and it is wedding-quality dining.
Pre- and Post-race tickets here: https://dirtverthurt.com/collections/meal-tickets-for-all-races/products/the-divide-200-pre-and-post-race-extra-meal-tickets-copy
There are not a lot of food options in the area, except for the T-Bar Pub, which is open at 5pm-12am Friday, 10am-12am Saturday, and 10am-7pm Sunday. If you want a breakfast prior to the race on Friday morning, CMR is offering two options. Breakfast will be served at approximately 7am Friday. Order it here: https://dirtverthurt.com/collections/meal-tickets-for-all-races/products/2025-divide-200-breakfast-ticket-friday-7-am.
ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
In the last 24 years of race directing, we have had a large predator sighting at every race – sometimes more than one. Normally, it's just a "Hey! A bear!" as it runs away. We have also had a few more closer encounters, both at events, and personally. While bears and cougars are definitely out there, the first thing to remember is DON'T PANIC.
I will do an animal talk at the pre-race meeting, but here are my four key takeaways:
- Animals do not like groups of people (as long as they are not being fed)
- Make distance from the animal, without running
- Be alert – you are in the wilderness so you need to think about what is happening around you
- Make your presence known – alerting an animal in advance is a good way to encourage them to move along
People always ask about bear spray vs. bangers vs. other methods of deterrent. I am not a wildlife expert, but having studied this from the pros, and reading up on best practices, here is my humble opinion:
- Bear spray is really effective IF you know how to use it and the conditions are right – a large number of people do end up hurting themselves and the people around them when deploying bear spray
- Bangers are effective... IF you know how to use them – it is easy to scare a bear towards you or others, and we also know of people who have started fires with bear bangers
- Air horns are good at alerting the animal and giving it a chance to run – they are limited in effectiveness if the animal does charge, but they are relatively harmless to you, unless you trigger it near your ear
- Distance – make distance and done run
Check out this information on our website: https://www.sinistersports.ca/divide200/racer_information_package#_Toc728a
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
It takes a lot of volunteers to make this race a great experience, so make sure to volun-tell everyone you know to sign up! Volunteers get great swag, a fun experience, and dinner with the runners at the pre- and post-race celebrations. https://www.sinistersports.ca/divide200/volunteer
Kindest regards,
Brian Gallant
Owner + Director, Sinister Sports
Sinister 7 Ultra • Canadian Death Race • Black Spur Ultra • The Divide 200 • Castle Alpine Trail Race • The Dark: 24 Hours Underground • SOO 200 • Blue Bully Ultra
