Image: Rick MacDonald Photography, via Around the Lake Give 'R Take 30 trail committee / Participants in the 2022 Around the Lake Give 'R Take 30 trail race sprint from the start line at Cultus Lake during last year's event. This year's trail race happens this Saturday, October 14 where 315 runners will circumnavigate Cultus Lake. The race sold out within days when registration opened in mid-June earlier this year.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Around the Lake Give 'R Take 30 race

20th anniversary of Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 trail race this Saturday at Cultus Lake

Oct 10, 2023 | 9:26 AM

CHILLIWACK — The 20th anniversary of a popular endurance run that circumnavigates Cultus Lake will happen this Saturday, October 14 when over 300 runners hit the ground running for the annual Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 trail race.

As a highlight on BC’s trail racing circuit, Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 will feature 315 runners traversing approximately 30 kilometres around Cultus Lake, starting and finishing at Main Beach.

The first staging of this trail race took place in 2022 and has been held every year without fail except for 2020, when the race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are two events during the day—a 30 kilometre solo run, and a two-person relay covering legs of 17 kms and 13 kms. According to trail race committee member Dave Stephen, this year’s race looks to be a fast race, with mostly dry conditions on the trails, and a field in both the solo race and team relay that includes some top BC trail runners.

The fastest time to date for the solo race for men is 2:33:06, set by Ricky Federau of Chilliwack in 2017). For women, the fastest time of 2:37:59 was recorded by Karen Thibodeau of Victoria in 2018. The fastest relay team time of 2:17:30 was set in 2019.

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In addition to participants from around BC, this year runners are coming from Washington state and Dublin, Ireland. The race sold out within days of registration opening in mid-June.

Image: Rick MacDonald Photography, via Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 trail race committee / A participant from the 2022 trail race.

Each year proceeds from registrations and sponsorships enable the Around the Lake Give ‘R Take Trail Race Society – which is volunteer-run – to donate to local charities. Last year’s event provided $11,000 in proceeds, which funded two $1,000 Chilliwack high school scholarships as well as donations to the Chilliwack Park Society, Chilliwack Search and Rescue, Fraser Valley Mountain Biking Association, the Vedder Mountain Motorcycle Club and the Chilliwack Outdoor Club.

For curious spectators and onlookers, the best time and place to catch some of the action Saturday is at the start, 9 a.m., and the finish line starting at approximately 11:15 a.m. at Main Beach. More information can be found at https://aroundthelake.ca/