Sufferfest hosted the Burton Amazing Race & Relay at the Burton Historical Park the morning of Saturday, June 24.
There were some options to choose from; participants could opt for either a long or a short course, and could enter it either solo or as a team relay.
The starting point for both courses — long and short — was by the gazebo and included three components: first, competitors took on a one-kilometre paddle, which some participants completed in kayaks and others in canoes. Then there was a 20-km mountain bike ride for the long course and seven kilometres for short one. The race concluded with a trail run of five kilometres for the long course and two-and-a half-kilometres for the short one.
There were twice as many competitors this year compared to the last, distributed in several heats.
New mom Crystal Cross kayaked the first portion of a long course, as part of a team that included Bill Sones on the mountain bike and Tammy Macpherson doing the trail run. Her husband also took part in the race, teaming up with Gord Marshall for a two-person paddle, followed by Dave on the bike and Gord on the trail.
Cross and Madden’s three-and-a-half-month-old baby was on hand to witness his parents’ winning example of making the most of a sunny summer day: Cross’ team came in third and Madden’s team came in second in the Long Course – Relay event.
Nakusp Secondary School’s Female Athlete of the Year Renée Goodman was on hand to complete the mountain biking portion for “The Graduates” team.
Some of the campers around the area covered by the race were pleasantly surprised to see this family event being put on right on the doorstep of their camping vehicles and came out to watch , cheer on the competitors, and enjoy the fundraising barbecue put on by the Burton Fire Department to end the event.
The organizers are looking to grow on this year’s event and would like to acknowledge the generous support of Columbia Basin Trust and the Kootenay Savings Credit Union, which made participation of competitors aged 18 and under free.
