Kimberley and Cranbrook have been investing in trails in recent years and it is really starting to pay off with adventure racing events popping up on the calendar.
This June 26, Kimberley will host the well-established Round the Mountain races, a one day, seven challenge, hiking/biking event on June 26. Round the Mountain accepts 500 registrations and most years is full.
Also returning this summer is the Black Spur Ultra on August 20 and 21.
The Black Spur features 50 and 100 kilometre runs. Its inaugural event at the Kimberley Alpine Resort and running trails on Northstar Mountain was a great success. Runners loved the trails and it returns for second run this year.
In Cranbrook, the Six the Stix race; a six hour solo or relay ride through the Community Forest returns on September 17 and 18.
And of course there is the long running and popular Wasa Triathlon on June 11.
There is another new event on the calendar in July. On July 25 and 26, stage 4 of the Single Track 6 Trans-Rockies bike race will come to Cranbrook and Kimberley after stages in Fernie, then head to Golden for the two final stages.
In Cranbrook, on July 25 the race will start and end at the College of the Rockies campus, and ride through the Community Forest up to Kettle Lake on a 45 kilometre stage with an elevation change of 1400 metres. At the conclusion of this stage, riders will be transported up to Kimberley for the evening before leg 4. They will also spend the night after leg 4 in Kimberley before heading to Golden for the final two legs.
The Kimberley stage will start in the Platzl, climb the ski hill and head into the Nature Park and back down to the Platzl for a 36 kilometre run with a 1300 metre elevation change.
Nick Ranno with Verde Communications, who are promoting the race, says the Singletrack 6 attracks riders from all over the globe who want a chance to ride some of Canada’s most pristine singletrack.It’s also an opportunity to introduce riders to communities like Cranbrook and Kimberley which are emerging as mountain bike destinations.
For completer race information and to register, visit singletrack6.com.