Lots and lots of easily accessible spots for family and friends to get out on the course this year to take pictures of you as you race along. Speaking of the course, I sure you will all be happy to know how that this year you will miss having to run the infamous Westwood Ridges. In their place you will now get to run the newest additions to the Nanaimo Trail Inventory; K2 South and K2 North. These new single track trails with their endless bumps of up and down and with a visit to the Mine Shaft thrown in along the way will more than make up for any disappoint you will be having. Be sure to wear some dark socks on race day and bring some dry shoes for post race as you will probably have to cross through a stream or two and might have to cross through a river once or twice. In addition to this, unless we have a drought I can pretty well guarantee you that none of you will miss out on paying a visit to our infamous Mud Puddle….a great place for friends and family to take a few pictures.

Course Descriptions:

The SHORT COURSE - This unforgettable 12.5km trail race will feature all that BC's West Coast Trail races are famous for – beautiful vistas of the Coast mountains, lakes and ocean, big trees, fast single track, sweat- inducing ascents and sweet flowing downhill descents through some beautifully wooded areas. The route which starts and finishes at Westwood Lake will also take you by numerous natural and manmade sights along the way that will amaze you. The Short Course is open to both hikers and runners. This year's version of the Short Course will undoubtedly be known as "The Best Short Course Race Route on the Island".
There is No Aid Station on the short course, so bring your own water.
Click here to view the route…. GutBuster Short Course 2010

The HALF MARATHON COURSE – This route has also been GPS measured in twice and both times has measured in at just a hair over the “official” half marathon distance. This year’s course which I think is our best yet, follows the Short Course for the first 6 kilometers before branching off to run both the amazing Humility Abyss Loop and Keith’s Trail. After this section the Long Course racers will again join back up with the Short Course route for the run back through The Morell Nature Sanctuary and the final couple of trails back to the Westwood Lake finish line.
Carrying Water on the Long Course is Mandatory.
Click here to view the map… GutBuster Long Course 2010

Short Course ~ 12.5 km
Long Course ~ 21 km

Individual members running for a club will score for their clubs total. The club with the highest point totals at the end of the series will win a lunch at Fat Teddy's on Mount Washington following the last race of the series.

MANDATORY WATER- ALL runners must carry a minimum of 500ml of water or sport drink. We will be enforcing this rule and you will NOT be able to start unless you carry water. NO EXCEPTIONS. The short course will NOT have an aid station. The HALF course will have one aid station that you will pass twice. Water will be available but for REFILLING PURPOSES ONLY.

CUTOFF - The HALF course will have a cutoff time at the Aid Station (see map). Cutoff time is 10:45am.

START TIMES - Please note the earlier start time for the HALF and the 12.5km is 9:00am.

Be sure to bring your beach towel and sunscreen as there is a great beach and warm lake at Westwood. Bring your family and they won't mind that your off racing!

“Important Advisory – Please note that part of this run will go through the Department of National Defence (DND) Nanaimo Rifle Range. Special access arrangements have been made with DND for Sunday, 29 May 2011.