Flooding and avalanche danger in northwestern BC has forced an extreme adventure race slated for the Prince Rupert area to change course and aim for the islands.
Raid the North Extreme is the only expedition- style race in Canada and is said to be one of the toughest, best-organized races in the world. Twenty-six teams of four people are expected to participate.
Last week, race officials visited the islands to see if the race could take place here, rather than risk unpredictable conditions on the mainland. They say they've been welcomed with open arms by islanders who have bent over backwards to help.
"This is a superb leg of the course," says race course designer Lawrence Foster. Racers will see every type of natural area on the islands and pass through all communities too.
The new course is around 300 kilometres long (shortened from 500 km) and will include mountain biking, kayaking, trekking and running. It begins and ends at the Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate.
Racers will hit many of the scenic highlights on the island during the three-day event including Skidegate Inlet, Rennell Sound, Masset Inlet, Port Clements, Masset, North Beach and Rose Spit, back down the highway to St. Mary's Spring, then to Sandspit, Gray Bay and Moresby Camp.
The island segment of the race will take place Monday June 25 and ends Wednesday.
Global TV is coming to prepare a one-hour special, which will be broadcast in Canada and on several specialty channels. The race will also be featured in Wings over Canada, seen around the world and various media will receive news feed from a media centre set up at the Heritage Centre.