Nakusp will be playing host to a cyclocross race and a duathlon when the Kootenay Sufferfest comes to town on Labour Day this year.
Janis Neufeld, the organizer of the endurance running and mountain biking event presented to council last week on the plans from the expanded event, which will now take place on the Labour Day long weekend.
Previously, Sufferfest took place in New Denver and Kaslo over the course of two days, but this year the event is adding a day in Nakusp to round out the competition.
The first day will feature trail running events in Kaslo. Day two will be mountain biking in New Denver and day three will be the new events in Nakusp.
Cyclocross is a cross between mountain biking and road biking, explained Neufeld. The Nakusp race will feature a 20 kilometre loop that starts and ends in town. Racers will have the chance to compete in either a 40-kilometre race or a 100-kilometre race. The racers will pass through Nakusp on each lap, giving residents a chance to cheer them on.
The duathlon will feature a five kilometre run, 20 kilometre bike ride and another five kilometre run.
On top of that, Nakusp will also be the finish line for the Loonie Toonie — a three-day, 200-kilometre trail run.
Neufeld was at the council meeting to let them know of a few requests from the village — notably use of the area around the gazebo to host the start and finish lines, merchant tents and First Aid station. Sufferfest sponsors will be allowed to set up tents around the gazebo. Food vendors aren’t allowed, said Neufeld.
“We say no, because our first mandate is to support local businesses,” she said.
She said street closures wouldn’t be needed, but there might be intermittent closures and signs would be posted reminding people of the race going on.
She hopes for 150 people to take part in the Nakusp races, with about 75 volunteers needed to help out.
