Saysutshun: the sacred place where runners, canoe paddlers and warriors would train and cleanse themselves in preparation for race and battle.
The race
Saysutshun Island has always been a source of traditional natural medicine with an association to physical and spiritual healing for the Snuneymuxw people. We feel honoured to be invited to give our participants the privilege to work on their hearts, minds, and bodies in the same spirit this land has been utilized for by its people in the generations before us.
Participants will have the chance to experience pristine cedar groves, sprawling oak meadows, towering sandstone cliffs, and vast coastal lookouts while keeping an eye out for Saysutshun’s famous White Racoon.
With five different events held over a 24hr period this race is for all runners. The course follows roughly 10kms of stunning coastal single track navigating the perimeter of Saysutshun Island. Stay for the day or book a campsite and enjoy a loop style ultra experience like no other.
the course
The course follows a roughly 10km single track loop around the stunning coastal perimeter of Saysutshun Island. Runners will do as many loops as they can in their given time frame or race distance. Once runners near the end of their race a short campground loop will be utilized for the final laps. This small loop will give runners an opportunity to maximize their distance without the risk of timing out mid course. If you do not finish your last big loop before your time expires you will not be given credit for that distance.
Start times
24hr /12hr Night Starts 5:00pm Friday, June 13th
24hr Relay Starts 5:00pm Friday, June 13th. Teams of 4 will run as far as they can in 24 hours, with each team member running 6hrs.
12hr Day Starts 5:00am Saturday, June 14th (there is no ferry this early, so runners must camp or find an alternative transportation to the island early Saturday morning)
6hr & Half Marathon Starts 11:00am Saturday, June 14th
10k Starts 2:00pm Saturday, June 14th
aid station
An aid station will be set up at the start/finish line in the group camping site. It will be fully stocked with all of the typical ultra running foods and drinks. Perogies, cheese quesadillas, bacon, soup, broth, gels, chips, baked goodies, fruits as well as water, pop, electrolyte mix, coffee, tea, warm broth, etc. Any specific items you may need for your race will have to be self supplied.
The aid station will have an area sectioned off for runners crews and gear and will be accessible between each completed lap of the course. Be aware that Saysutshun is home to a large crew of crafty Raccoons. If your food and supplies are not secure they will be gone before you realize it.
camping & Ferry
A group site is booked for runners and their crew to stay as part of registration. Make sure to check the passenger ferry schedule so that you arrive on time for your event. Use the online portal to book a seat on the ferry prior to the race. Ferry costs are not part of the registration fee. All park information can be found at https://newcastleisland.ca/.
