Image: Rick MacDonald Photography / The top three female finishers in Saturdaay's Give'R Take Around the Lake 30 trail race include Chilliwack's Kalyn Head (left), 2 hours, 45 minutes and 14 seconds, followed by Sarah Bangma (middle) in 3:06:52, and Chilliwack's Angela Froese in third with a remarkable time of 3:12:04. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Around the Lake Give 'R Take 30 race

Chilliwack runner defies mud and rain to win trail race nearly 10 minutes faster than last year

Oct 22, 2024 | 9:49 AM

CULTUS LAKE — Despite less than ideal conditions from consistent downpours and soggy trails, Chilliwack’s Kalyn Head trimmed nearly 10 minutes off last year’s first-place finish and crossed the finish line as the fastest female in Saturday’s 21st running of the Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 kilometre trail race in Cultus Lake.

The 27-year-old runner registered a blazing time of 2 hours, 45 minutes and 14 seconds, eclipsing last year’s time of 2:56:09, as the 2024 Give’R Take 30 trail race around Cultus Lake became a remarkable test of endurance as heavy rains pounded the region with over 100 millimeters of rain Saturday. The normally fast course turned into a mud-soaked challenge, but Head obliterated those obstacles.

Despite the torrential downpours, the 2024 event saw impressive performances. Top male finisher Ian Backstrom completed the race in 2:28:32. In the relays, Wildroot Ackers (Mason Acker & Willem Acker) took first in the male division, Forest Mama’s (Ellen Gray & Heidi Maclaren) took first in the female division, and Airport Tequila (Andreas Klawitter & Kaitlyn Tucker) set a new mixed relay course record.

Founded in 2003 by Clarence Wiens, the race attracted over 325 participants, selling out within days of registration. This year, the race featured three events: a 30-kilometer solo run (155 runners), 85 two-person relay teams in men, women and mixed divisions, and the inaugural Give’R Take 1.5-kilometer Kids Trail Race that saw 21 eager kids smashing the trails of Cultus Lake.

Funds generated through registrations and sponsorships have enabled race organizers to distribute thousands of dollars over 20 years to local, non-profit organizations that support outdoor recreation, as well as $1,000 scholarships for students in the Chilliwack School District.

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Image: Rick MacDonald Photography / The top three male finishers in Saturday’s race consist of first-place winner Ian Backstrom (centre), 2:28:32, followed by Brendan Scott (left), 2:29:58, who eclipsed his 2023 time of 2:36:26, and third-place finisher Emile Brunelle-Camirand (right), 2:32:09.

Top Finishers:

Top Finishers

Male 1st – Ian Backstrom 2:28:32

Male 2nd – Brendan Scott 2:29:58 smashing his own 2023 2nd place male solo finish time of 2:36:26

Male 3rd – Emile Brunelle-Camirand 2:32:09

Female 1st – Kalyn Head at 2:45:14 smashing her own 2023 1st place female solo finish time of 2:55:09

Female 2nd – Sarah Bangma 3:06:52

Female 3rd – Angela Froese 3:12:04

Relay Male – Wildroot Ackers (Mason Acker & Willem Acker) 2:46:36

Relay Female – Forest Mama’s (Ellen Gray & Heidi Maclaren) 3:10:58

Relay Mixed – New course record of 2:52:48 by Airport Tequila (Andreas Klawitter & Kaitlyn Tucker), beating the 2023 mixed relay course record of 3:01:32 held by Two Shea (Gerad Shea & Katrina Shea)