Welcome to Lake to Bay!

This page is includes the nuts and bolts of a single-day relay.
Expect this page to grow as the event date nears.

Pre-Race

Now that you have registered, it’s time to begin planning for the big day. This page will be especially important for runners/teams who have never participated in a running relay event such as this. The ultimate goal of Lake to Bay is to highlight many of the wonderful trails throughout Vancouver and Camas, while being safe and having fun!

PACKET PICK-UP: Saturday, June 21, 10am-1pm, at Foot Traffic in Vancouver. Foot Traffic is located at 305 SE Chkalov Dr. #122 in Vancouver. See the Calendar page for details.

EVENT BOOKLET: Teams will be provided 1-2 event booklets at packet pick-up, and the PDF version will be available online.  The event booklet will include leg information, directions, 

TEAM CAPTAINS: Most captains are responsible for registration, coordinating a day-of-race (DOR) vehicle and driver (preferably a non-runner), creating/ordering team gear (some teams create their own shirts, etc.), finding a volunteer, learning and knowing the course (both running and driving routes), and more.

THE TEAM: To optimize fun, those who are not serving as Team Captain can help the captain by offering the DOR vehicle, picking up the gear at packet pick-up, hosting a team BBQ to prepare for the big day, etc. Any way to take the load off the captain and share responsibilities will make the event an optimal experience for everyone involved.

ULTARMARATHON RUNNERS: Ultra runners should be familiar with their energy and dietary needs.  Extra nourishment in the form of sugar and salt will be provided at the end of legs 6, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 13.  Foods/Beverages at these exchanges is solely for the ultramarathon runners - thank you for understanding!

VOLUNTEERS: Upon registering, teams selected whether to provide at least one volunteer, or pay a $25 fee. If you are providing volunteers, please share the volunteer page with prospective helpers so they can select a volunteer position(s). Most volunteer positions last only a few hours. Be sure to include your volunteer(s) in the team functions!

PRE-FUNK!: To best prepare for any relay, communication is key. Consider a team barbeque or lunch/dinner at a mutual place to meet and greet, review DOR logistics, and begin stoking the flames of fun! This typically takes place on the weekend of packet pick-up. Team meetings provide an excellent opportunity to reconnect with teammates, which often include friends and family. It’s also a time to distribute Lake to Bay swag, review the event booklet, discuss volunteer positions/duties, select a driver (and vehicle), and select or distribute leg assignments.

ACCLIMATE: Weather can be difficult to predict, but if you vary your runs in preparation for Lake to Bay, you’ll be better prepared for your legs come race day. About a month prior to the event, consider the following tips:

• Run at different times of the day throughout the week

• Run twice a day, a few hours apart, at least once a week

• Practice the routes you plan to run on race day

• Run in various conditions, even in the heat. While long durations in the heat is ill-advised for those unprepared, putting in abbreviated durations of running in the heat will help you acclimate. For example, if you are used to 30-40 minute runs, consider 10-15 minutes in the heat. This will help your body prepare to sweat sooner and in greater abundance, so water, electrolytes, and fueling will be essential before, during, and after your run.

SELECTING LEGS: Review each of the legs carefully to ensure familiar, safety, and appropriateness (especially for younger runners) of the legs chosen. Legs can be run in any order, may be changed on the day of the race, and runners may sub for another runner if/when needed, as long as they are officially registered for the race.

Race Day!

MORNING OF THE RACE! Aim to arrive at Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park, home of the start of Lake to Bay, at least 45-minutes prior to the start of the race.  This will allow time to dress up the event vehicle, use the restroom, and prep for the big day!

STARTING LINE (PHOTO): Approximately 10-minutes prior to the start of each wave, teams should meet at the start area near the event flags for a team photo.

THE COURSE: Lake to Bay includes 62.2 miles (100 kilometers) of roadway, sidewalks, and trail systems divided into 15 legs. For a five person team, that’s three legs per runner. Leg distances vary between 1.5 miles and 6.4 miles, for an average of 4.15 miles per leg.

PACE / TIME TO FINISH: Upon registering, each team included an estimated 10k time. These 10k times help predict start times, finish times, and volunteer timeframes. Being off by a single minute when estimating a 10k distance can change a teams finish by 1+ hours. Please be sure the 10k times are as accurate as possible. We are hoping for a 4:50am start time, but are planning for a 5:10am start time (waiting on park approval). Slower teams will start earlier, while faster teams will start later, with the goal of all teams finishing between 3-5pm. A team running/walking 14 minutes/mile (mm) will take approximately 14.5 hours to complete the 62.2 mile course. 12mm = 12.5 hours, 10mm = 10.5 hours, 8mm = 8.3 hours, 7mm = 7.25 hours, 6mm = 6.25 hours.

EXCHANGES: An exchange is where an incoming runner is greeted by the outgoing runner who then departs for their leg/segment of the course. Before the next runner departs, the incoming runner will hand off (exchange) the slap bracelet provided to each team, acting as the team baton for the day. Exchanges provide an excellent time to thank a volunteer, connect with fellow runners, get bandaged up if needed (First Aid Kids are at every exchange), and celebrate our time together!

COURSE MARKINGS: The 62.2 mile course will include ~2000 lawn flags, sidewalk chalk, and arrows at most turns. All runners and volunteers are encouraged to visit the Courses page that includes maps and videos of each leg. Course videos can also be found on the Lake to Bay and Whisper Running Instagram pages, so if a runner gets lost en route to an exchange, there are a few handy resources to get back on track - Strava and Garmin links also available to download.  The booklet, which will be available soon, will have cut-out turn-by-turn instructions, however, runners can access the course maps and map videos online and on the IG Lake to Bay page.  

RULES OF THE ROAD: Drivers and runners should use common sense and rules of the road when taking part in Lake to Bay.  Runners should review the routes provided online and in the booklet, and follow the routes as suggested.  Drivers should abide by all traffic laws and never slow to assist a runner unless there is an emergency.  If assistance is needed, be sure to pull the vehicle to the side of the road in an approved area (not in the flow of traffic).

The Finish

FINISH LINE, AWARDS & TEAM PHOTO: When the final runner begins their trek to Waterfront Park, teams should head straight to the finish to secure parking and greet their incoming runner. Teams may meet their incoming runner along the sidewalk on the south side (river side) of the AC Hotel and run the final 150 meters to the finish line archway together! Once teams pass the archway, they will be awarded with a finisher medal, framed team photo (from the starting line), and post-race meal by Twigs Bistro. Ultramarathon runners will receive a second medal for their beastly accomplishment, and teams who finish first in their category will receive a custom baton! Teams are encouraged to take photos using the award stands closer to the Grant Street Pier, showing off their new bling, and celebrating their amazing accomplishments!

POST-RACE GRUB! Twigs Bistro has pulled out all the stops for Lake to Bay participants!  The post-race meal includes Chicken Bacon Avocado Wraps, Southwestern Pasta Salad, and a chocolate chip cookie! They will also have a few gluten free box lunches available!