Race Revelstoke launches The Big Three

The Big Three, Race Revelstoke’s latest competition, will host the fastest runners and bikers in the region on June 23 in a three-stage course through Mount Macpherson and Boulder Mountain.

“We’re looking to make things a little weird,” JF Bigras, Race Revelstoke’s owner and events director told Revelstoke Mountaineer.

Competitors can sign up to bike or run the entire race, but must commit to that format through all three stages. Teams of two are allowed to sign up with one running and one biker who will both race the entire three stages with times combined. Racers must commute between the three stages either on foot or bike, with racers allowed to have a personal bike delivered to commute areas. Bikers and runners will share courses for stage one and two with separate trails at the final stage.

“It’s different than any other event that people will experience – it’s this fun factor,” Bigras explained about the two different styles of racing offered in The Big Three. “The goal with Race Revelstoke is to bring really cool events that have this energy that shows how wicked a community Revelstoke is and how involved we are.”

Race Revelstoke also hosts Revy 50, inspired by Pemberton’s Nimby 50. Bigras was fortunate to participate in the final year of Pemberton’s Nimby 50, but was frustrated at the loss of such a beloved event.

“I was driving back home really mulling on that race style, and other race styles,” Bigras said. “Just really thinking that Revelstoke was getting to a place where we could pull something like that off.”

Heading into its third year, Revy 50 pushes riders through 50 kilometres of Mount Macpherson trails in four different timed descents. Riders can compete solo or in teams of two that tackle the descents relay style. It all starts off with a mass start downtown, when all competing riders for the first heat take off at the same time. Strategically, mass starts and scattered starts each have their place in the racing world, but nothing quite matches the thrill of a mass start Bigras admitted, calling it an “epic start.”

Race Revelstoke’s passion may be in providing various racing opportunities for Revelstoke and the surrounding area, but it also helps host Bikefest Expo, including the vintage bike show and shine and the demo day.

“The goal there is to throw as many bike events and opportunities at people to enjoy in a couple of days, really connect the biking community and the businesses in town and folks interested in checking it out,” Bigras explained.

It might seem like a lot for one organization to take on, but Bigras is eager to continue providing Revelstoke and guests with a selection of unique experiences and community events.

“We want to make sure that it’s all about the experience in life. Something to remember this place and your time by. People can’t always put their finger on what it was, but I think it’s this energy and the team and the people here. That’s what we’re here for.”

You can register for The Big Three and find more information on future events on the Race Revelstoke website.