If you are looking for a competitive, yet family-oriented event in a unique location, check out the Subaru Bruce Peninsula Multisport Race, an Adventure Racing Ontario Point Series event being held August 13, 2016 in Wiarton, Ontario.
Now in its sixth successful year, the Subaru Bruce Peninsula Multisport Race is returning in 2016 to Wiarton, Ontario, on August 13, 2016. Modeled after New Zealand’s iconic Coast-to-Coast race, the Subaru BMPR is organized by the Peninsula Adventure Sports Association and gives competitors a chance to challenge themselves on foot, bike, and boat (or even just two out of the three!) by offering a variety of race configurations and distance options, all of which feature marked (no navigation) courses. The most challenging of the events – the 100km BUFF Long Course – sees solo competitors, tandem teams and relay teams complete a 16km kayak in Georgian Bay, over 60km of mountain biking on a variety of terrains, and 21km of rugged trail running along the Niagara Escarpment.
Fun fact: The Subaru Bruce Peninsula Multisport race is considered unique and challenging enough to have been featured on an episode of Season 3 of the popular TV show Boundless. The full episode won’t be aired until later this year but you can check out a clip of it here.
If the BUFF Long Course sounds like a bit more time on the trail then you are interested in, then consider the popular 25km Suntrail Course, which includes a 4km paddle, 15km mountain bike and 5km run. The Suntrail course can be completed as a solo, or on a 2-person canoe team. Don’t like paddling? 25km run-bike-run and paddle-bike-paddle Subaru duathlons for solo athletes are also on the roster. Rounding out the list of events is the Summer House Park Kids Race open to children 5-10, which is a safe and fun way to introduce kids to multisport racing (no paddling is involved).
Not only do Subaru BMPR competitors get to traverse the beautiful topography of the Bruce Peninsula, but the race location, right on Georgian Bay, offers on-site camping at Bluewater Park, which is also the start/finish for the race, makes race day logistics a breeze, and is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the post-race festivities and awards ceremony. Oh yeah, did we mention that in addition to great prizing for the podium finishers of all race categories from the event’s generous sponsors, the top male and female winners the BUFF Long course will receive round-trip airfare to Whitehorse, Yukon? One lucky participant will also walk away from the awards ceremony with a new Devinci Jack XP mountain bike courtesy of Bikeface Cycling in Owen Sound!
It’s not just the format or the location that make this race special, but it’s also the community in which the race is held, which embraces events such as the BPMR. Competitors are sure to be impressed by the “army of volunteers” who work tirelessly to make sure racers have everything they need before, during and after the race.
Fun fact: in its inaugural year, the Subaru Bruce Peninsula Multisport Race had a 1:1 ratio of racers: volunteers. Although that has shifted somewhat, the cheerful volunteer presence is still very much noticeable today!
While the 25km run-bike-run duathlon has been offered for the past four years, the 25km paddle-bike-paddle duathlon has added for 2016 for those athletes who are stronger on the water than on foot, adding an extra element of competition between the paddlers and the runners for who will get to the bike first! This year’s race will also feature improved timing and live results.
If you’ve been planning to race this year’s Subaru BPMR but haven’t registered yet, don’t drag your heels any longer! At the time of writing, the solo and tandem categories of the BUFF® long course are already sold out, and there are only 7 spots left in the relay category and approximately 40 spaces available in the 25km duathlons. Registration information can be found here.
If you need more convincing, check out this great short video of the 2015 event produced by Explore the Backcountry!