Visit the race website at http://members.shaw.ca/witp/ .

Whoooooohooooo… 18 years and counting as the BC Interior’s longest running Ultramarathon…. the shorter 18km and 36km events are also back in 2008.

The 54km distance is a series event for these two GREAT race series:

BRITISH COLUMBIA ULTRA TRAIL SERIES

TRAIL RUNNER MAGAZINE TROPHY SERIES

HISTORY

Nick Jordan founded the first WALK IN THE PARK in 1992. RDs have varied over the years; however, the race philosophy of putting on a well organized, low-cost & low-key event has remained the same.

From 1992 to 2000, the WITP took place in the hills around Juniper Park, to the East of Downtown Kamloops. In 2001 the event moved to it’s current location in Kenna Cartwright Park. Development in and around the Park has required modifications each year, (thus making the establishment of a course record difficult)… BUT, we ARE determined to stay put until a permanent course can be established.

START_FINISH

Tentatively, (though that could change) it looks like we’ll have the same course as last year. As such, the START/FINISH will be at the primary upper entrance to Kenna Cartwright Park; (ON HILLSIDE DRIVE; about 400m west of the intersection of The Trans Canada Hwy. & Copperhead Dr.), from the S/F runners head out onto an 18.2km loop trail. Clockwise in even years; counter-clockwise in odd years.

COURSE CONDITIONS

The course consists of double and single-track dirt trails cutting through sagebrush desert and Ponderosa Pine/Douglas Fir forest. The trail is rarely flat as approx. 960m of climb and decent is required per lap. A pine bark beetle epidemic has taken a heavy toll on the mature standing Ponderosa Pine so shade cover now averages only an estimated 25% over the entire course. With 30-35C heat typical on the Sept. long weekend the Walk in the Park can turn into the Crawl in the Park…. (OK… so 2007 & 2008 were exceptions).

AID

There are three manned and two self-help aid stations on each loop; Start/Finish, 3.7km, 7.7km, 11.7km and 15.7km respectively. These will be stocked with water, Gatorade, and various runner-friendly foods. NOTE: It can be exceedingly HOT on Race Day. ALL 36km and 54km runners must carry at least one water bottle… (two bottles or a bladder are recommended).

MARKING

Maps will be available and the course will be well marked with flagging tape. Marshals are non-existent. Runners are responsible to stay on the trail.

RESULTS and AWARDS

Split times will be recorded and results posted for all distances. Some awesome door schwag will be up for grabs from our sponsors… with special consideration to top Male and Female in the 54km Ultra… We also have a really groovy Lawn Chair going out to the D.F.L finisher to rest his/her weary bones (supplied annually by long time competitor and volunteer extraordinaire Linda Woodbury). If you’re a FIVE time Ultra finisher we’ll retire a number for you… and if you double that we’ll throw in a limited edition WITP TEN TIME FINISHER belt buckle.

POST RACE

We’ll fire up the BBQ as the first finishers arrive and keep it going till the last participant is off the course. The best smokies you’ve ever had plus veggie burgs and salad will likely be the food du jour. We hope you’ll stick around and whoop it up… shaking your booty will be optional.