Get ready to lace up your trail shoes and embark on an adventure! Join us for an Introduction to Trail Running event, where we'll blend the thrill of a 4km jaunt through the woods with moments of plant-powered zen and whimsical connection to nature.
At strategic points along the route, we'll pause to embrace our inner botanists and indulge in some plant identification exercises. Don't worry, no green thumbs are required—just a sense of curiosity and a penchant for peculiar foliage. You never know what hidden gems you'll discover amidst the ferns and flowers!
Recognizing that trail running is as much about the mind and soul as it is about the body, we’ll also sprinkle the course with moments of mindfulness - encouraging you to take a breath, embrace the present moment, and connect with the breathtaking beauty of our temperate rainforest. Be prepared for impromptu yoga poses, forest bathing, and maybe even some spontaneous squirrel conversations. Who knows what kind of woodland magic you might encounter!
This event takes place on the traditional, ancestral and unceded homelands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples in a region now known as Burnaby Central Park.
CLINIC INCLUDES:
- A 2 hour guided walk/jog through Burnaby Central Park
- A special gift from Arc'teryx BC and GORE-TEX and the chance to win additional prizes
100% of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Indigenous Sport Life Academy.
ITINERARY
Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm
Location: We will meet at the entrance to the trails right by the Patterson Skytrain station (at the northwest end of Burnaby Central Park)
WHAT TO BRING
- Enough food + water needed to spend 2 hours in the trail
- Must wear weather-appropriate clothing and trail-appropriate footwear. The clinic will operate rain OR shine.
- Must be able to arrange own transportation to/from the meeting locations above.
- Must sign waiver before participating
ACCESSIBILITY
- Participants are required to arrange their own transportation to/from the meeting locations.
- Public washrooms are available at various locations within the park. There are no washrooms at the meeting location.
PRIZES
All participants will receive a special gift from Arc'teryx BC, GORE-TEX, and NÄAK, as well as the chance to win a Beta Lightweight Jacket or Norvan LD3 Shoes!
*Prize is subject to change based on availability.
Safder (or Saf) is a first-generation settler from Pakistan, residing on the unceded Coast Salish lands now known as Vancouver.
He has been running for ten years and trail running for about seven, and is delighted to be able to share his passion for the outdoors with folks who have felt intimidated and/or excluded by these communities.
Other than outdoorsy things, Saf also likes talking about his dog, mindfulness, and radical hopefulness.