Image: Supplied by Zack Melhus / Seventy-seven runners took part in Saturday's 25-km Thursty Elk Trail Race.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Inaugural race

Runners from as far away as Norway, Switzerland converge on Chilliwack for inaugural Peaks ‘n Valleys race

Jul 12, 2022 | 11:48 AM

CHILLIWACK — Locals know the unparalleled beauty of nearby snow-capped peaks and breathtaking mountain views surrounding Chilliwack, its endless hiking trails and backcountry opportunities abounding at every corner.

Apparently so do the Europeans.

Racers from as far away as Norway and Switzerland flocked to Chilliwack’s scenic backcountry byways Saturday to inaugurate the first installment of the Thursty Elk Trail Race in Eastern Hillsides.

“The world is small with social media,” race director Lynda Ferris said. “Runners are a tight-knit community. A lot of runners in Chilliwack race together. I think Canada seems like a bit of a sought after destination, especially here in British Columbia for outdoor recreation. I’m assuming some of these people have thought about coming here and they’re probably outdoor enthusiasts.”

Starting at Unity Christian, 77 runners conquered the 25-kilometre race by dashing through the trails of the Community Forest before traversing Gloria, Thurston and Elk Mountain and descending into the Chilliwack River Valley for a total elevation journey of over 2,000 metres.

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Andrew Russell, 40, crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 9 minutes and 22 seconds. Jeremy Acker won the 5-kilometre race in 29 minutes, 30 seconds.

There was even a 1-kilometer race for kids, giving them a chance to frolic through the forest with parents and family members.

Image: Supplied by Zack Melhus / Smiling faces could be found just prior to Saturday’s kids run as part of the Thursty Elk Trail race up at the Community Forest.

Over a dozen kids strapped on their runners and mosquito spray for the uphill jaunt through the Community Forest.

Image: Supplied by Zack Melhus / Over a dozen youth participated in the kids run.

COVID-19 sidelined the race for the past two years despite Ferris’s very best efforts to get it off the ground in early 2020. Saturday morning’s cool, slightly humid conditions were ideal to showcase Chilliwack’s endless beauty.

“Chilliwack has a plethora of outdoor opportunities that really haven’t been tapped,” Ferris said. “One of the goals of the race was just having more community events locally managed and operated with community people involved. It’s really about bringing the community together.”

Now that the inaugural Thursty Elk is done, Ferris and her team aren’t resting for a moment. The training and preparation are underway for the next race on Saturday, October 29, where runners will get off the road and onto the flat gravel terrain of the Rotary Vedder Trail for a half marathon, a 10-km run, and a kids fun run. The longer run will take runners through the majestic Chilliwack River Valley.

Image: Supplied by Zack Melhus / Race director Lynda Ferris speaks to endurance runners before the start of Saturday morning’s Thursty Elk Trail Race at Unity Christian.

“I love running, I’ve been a trail runner for 14 years,” said Ferris, who was born in Ontario and later lived in New Zealand as an adult. “We have all this space in our back yard. Let’s make it available. Living in New Zealand is like an outdoor playground much like B.C. New Zealand really optimizes the backcountry. I wanted to help open that up here in B.C.”