Editor’s Note: This blog was originally written in 2019, but we keep updating it with the latest race events.
You may know that Whistler is a world-class ski resort, but did you know it’s also a runner’s paradise?
With a wide variety of trails that cater to everyone from recreational runners to pros, Whistler’s fresh air and outdoor vibes are undeniably good for the heart and soul. My personal favourites are the paved Whistler Valley Trail network and the gravel trails that circle Lost Lake. While my deer-in-headlights depth perception forces me to tiptoe carefully through the rocky terrain of the Coast Mountains, our high alpine trails are loved by many locals.
Whistler hosts several local and international running events, the 2024 running calendar is packed with unique events that cater to various abilities and interests. The sheer number of events can make picking one feel like a daunting task, so we’re here to help with this handy guide:
Whistler Half Marathon
The Whistler Half Marathon is one of Canada’s most scenic, all-natural runs and a personal favourite of mine. There are five distances to choose from ranging from 1 kilometre to 30 kilometres (including a 21-kilometre half marathon, of course), making it welcoming for all levels. The course is now all trail-based and starts and ends in Olympic Plaza, with the majority of the race around Lost Lake Park.
They’ve updated their divisions to reflect the fact that not every athlete exists within the traditional, binary divisions, and the new Beyond the Podium Awards are aimed at redefining how we think about success with awards for Super Parent, Closest to Goal Time and Top Fundraiser.
Don’t want to run? You can walk or opt to be an official cheer squad member, and make sure you head to Whistler Olympic Plaza to celebrate afterward.
Date: May 31 – June 2, 2024
Difficulty Rating: Tortoise to hare – there is something for everyone
Surface: Pavement and gravel
Distances: 1 KM (kids), 5 KM, 10 KM, 30 KM, Half Marathon (21 KM)
More Information and Registration
Run Comfy Numb
This is a bucket list race for trail runners. It takes place on one of Whistler’s longest mountain biking trails, Comfortably Numb. The 25-kilometre singletrack trail offers progressive climbs, a few descents and numerous sweeping, mountain vistas. They also have a 50-km option for ultra runners.
Date: June 8, 2024
Difficulty Rating: Butt burner – not recommended for the average couch potato
Surface: Alpine trail – rocky, uneven, technical at times
Distances: 25 KM and 50 KM
More Information and Registration
INSIDER TIP: If you miss this race, there’s also the Pemberton Trail Run on June 22, 2024.
NEW: ÖTTILÖ Swimrun Whistler
ÖTILLÖ (meaning island to island in Swedish) is the original swimrun race, renowned as one of the toughest one-day races in the world. Participants alternate trail-running and open-water swimming on a marked course that will weave its way over a variety of terrain.
The race is part of the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series and a qualifier to ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship in the Swedish archipelago.
Date: July 7, 2024
Difficulty Rating: It’s been hailed as one of the toughest, one-day races in the world. Definitely, for the thick-skinned, water lovers out there!
Surface: Glacier-fed freshwater mountain lakes, single-track trails, roads, dock jumps, rock scrambling and mountains!
Distances:
TOTAL SWIM & RUN DISTANCES COVERED
- World Series Course Swimming – 7,545m (4.7mi)
- Sprint Course Swimming – 3,855m (2.4mi)
- Experience Course Swimming – 1,120m (.7mi)
- World Series Course Running – 20.4mi (32.8km)
- Sprint Course Running – 8.17mi (13.15km)
- Experience Course Running – 5.5mi (8.85km)
LONGEST SWIM & RUN
- World Series Swim – 1,450m (.9mi)
- Sprint Swim – 1,450m (.9mi)
- Experience Swim – 800m (.5mi)
- World Series Run – 5.8mi (9.35k)
- Sprint Run – 3.7mi (6k)
- Experience Run – 2mi (3.2km)
TOTAL GAIN/ASCENT
- World Series Course – 1,448′ (442m)
- Sprint Course – 474′ (145m)
- Experience Course – 281′ (86m)
More Information and Registration
5 Peaks Trail Running Series
To get to this race, you must take a gondola ride up Blackcomb Mountain. There you start your journey through wildflower meadows, past alpine lakes and up and over boulder fields, all with panoramic views of the Coast Mountains.
Date: August 31, 2024
Difficulty Rating: Watch your step – although this race has technical terrain it’s also got the views and friendly vibes!
Surface: Alpine trail – rocky, uneven, technical at times
Distance: 6 KM Sports course, 9.9 KM Enduro course, 3 & 1 KM Kid’s Races
More Information and Registration
XTERRA Whistler
XTERRA Whistler offers three events, on Saturday, September 14 they host the kids and then on Sunday 15, it’s the Sprint and Championship Triathlon Race. All three are set in beautiful Lost Lake Park and involve a swim in the lake, cross-country bike and run.
Date: September 14 and 15, 2024
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Surface: Gravel and dirt
Distances: Sprint / Sport (750 M swim, 12.6 KM bike, 5 KM run), Championship (1,500 M swim, 25.2 KM bike, 10 KM run)
More Information and Registration
NEW: Ultra Trail Whistler by UTMB
The 2024 Ultra Trail Whistler by UTMB is an epic trail running event with categories of 100K, 50K and 25K. Courses run from the deep evergreen forest, past stunning mountain lakes, to high alpine vistas, each taking you on a challenging journey that shows off the best of Whistler and its surrounding trails.
Date: September 28 – 29, 2024
Difficulty Rating: Hard – you’ve got to watch your footing and the elevation, and there are time cut-offs
Surface: All trail
Distances: 99.7 kilometres, 54.7 kilometres and 24.1 kilometres
More Information and Registration
Whistler Turkey Trot
Gravy is not a beverage? Say what! Signing up for this family-fun trot will make all of the indulging over Thanksgiving guilt-free. On this run, you will be served stunning views paired with the fresh aroma of autumn in the mountains. The event proudly supports Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.
Date: TBD
Difficulty Rating: Cream puff to cakewalk
Surface: Gravel
Distance: You can do the 5 KM Drumstick Dash or really run off the calories on the 10 KM Gravy Burner
More Information and Registration
Whistler 50 Relay & Ultra
This annual event held each fall in Whistler is a 50-mile relay race open to teams of eight or four as well as solo 50 KM ultra-marathoners. In 2019, the Whistler 50 changed up the course to include the incredible Lost Lake trails, with all of the transitions taking place behind the rings at Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Date: October 5, 2024
Difficulty Rating: Walk in the park (relay) to extreme (solo ultra).
Surface: Paved and gravel
Distance: 50 Mile relay and 50 KM ultra marathon
More Information and Registration
More Events:
- Tenderfoot Boogie – June 22, 2024
- The Terry Fox Run – September 2024
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