Make 2024 Your Best Year Yet
Welcome to 2024! As we begin the new year, our resolutions remain top of mind... and that means it may just be the perfect opportunity for you to make some big goals for your mind, body & spirit this year!
Looking for a kick-start? Here are three ideas to inspire your goals to reach your fitness goals.
1: The Wasa Triathlon
Sunday, June 9 is set for the annual Wasa Triathlon. If you're pining over the idea of trying your first triathlon, or for a reason to experience Wasa Lake in a new light - this is it!
The Standard Triathlon starts from sandy Horseshoe Bay, taking a dive into the warm waters of Wasa Lake. The cycling leg that follows is mostly flat with some rolling hills. It starts with a clockwise loop going 3/4 of the way around Wasa Lake and then spins cyclists around to follow the Canadian Rockies and the Kootenay River heading south towards Fort Steele Heritage Town. The return portion takes cyclists directly back to the transition area via the south park entry/exit. The triathlon will wrap-up with two flat out-and-back run segments, with a cruise by the transition zone in between.
If that seems a bit daunting, you can look at the Sprint Triathlon. The Sprint Triathlon is for athletes ages 16 and up, suited for the first-timer and recreational, all the way up to the more serious triathlete seeking a speedy effort!
For those who are younger, check out the Trikids Triathlon event! Easily the highlight of the weekend, it offers a full course set-up, with six separate races for various age categories.
Ready to challenge yourself amongst this beautiful terrain? Register here!
To learn more about the event, head to the official website.
2: Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo
The ride is in September (September 9), giving you plenty of time to train. It starts and finishes at the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino, where there’s plenty of space for riders to park in the freshly harvested fields next to the festival tent. In the early dawn light, water bottles are topped up, race numbers are secured to the bikes and hundreds of pairs of padded bike shorts are put on before heading to the festival tent for the continental breakfast. With bellies full of carbs and protein, the riders head for the start line in front of the beautiful St. Eugene Mission Resort.
Like many Gran Fondo events, the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo offers three distances.
The Gran Fondo is 152 km using the paved North Star Rails to Trails path to quickly arrive in Kimberley B.C. where the first fueling station is located in the Platzl. While the cheers of spectators echo through town, the riders pedal north along the Kimberley Highway, rolling through farmland and forest until it reaches Highway 95 where excellent views of the Kooteney River are on the right. Cranbrook may be a short distance away, but this is where the big guns take a hard left and ride the peaceful Wardner Fort Steele Road for an extra 50 km before returning to Highway 95 for a few more steep climbs including the King and Queen of the Mountain competition before descending into the valley and onto Mission Road to St. Eugene.
The Medio Fondo is 102 km, also utilizing the same route as the Gran. North Star Rails to Trails > Kimberley B.C. > Kimberley Highway > Highway 95
Tremendous views accompany riders throughout the journey. The Medio follows the same route as the Gran but skips the Wardner-Fort Steele out-and-back.
The delightful Piccolo Fondo is 58 km using the North Star Rails to Trails to reach the Platzl and return the same way. Riders using E-bikes and families are all invited to participate. Every route is surrounded by spectacular scenery using roads with wide shoulders and a minimal amount of traffic.
To learn more about the event, head to the official website.
3: The Strongman Classic
The Strongman Classic is a cornerstone of the Spirit of the Rockies Festival, with competitors and spectators alike enjoying the day while taking part in an exciting show. The Strongman Classic is also a fundraiser, always in support of Cranbrook’s chapter of the BCSPCA!
Hosted by Fitness Inc. this is arguably one of the most impressive displays of strength you could witness. Imagine yourself participating? What an incredible chance to push yourself to limits you never thought possible.
The competition's big debut is on the 3rd weekend of June (June 15).
Not ready to compete? Get yourself pumped for 2024 and witness amazing feats of strength like the Atlas Stones, Tire Flips and Truck Pulls with Sportsnet on-site to inspire you to apply for next year! Please note that registration fills up quickly register now here!
To learn more about the event & how to apply - head to the official website.
4: The Cranbrook Gravel Grind
Gear up for an exhilarating cycling escapade this spring with the Cranbrook Gravel Grind, slated for May 24-25, 2024. This event, making a bold shift from a fall-season finale to a spring-season opener, promises two days of pedal-powered excitement in the breathtaking landscapes of Cranbrook, BC.
The highlight, the Gravel Grind, unfolds from Idlewild Park, presenting two challenging loops: the 65km Gold Rush Loop and the 112km Big Foot Loop. These routes traverse diverse terrains, showcasing world-class gravel riding around Mount Baker and the Cranbrook Community Forest.
Post-race, festivities ensue with lively tunes, creating a family-friendly atmosphere for riders of all ages. Beyond the thrill, the Cranbrook Gravel Grind supports community growth, with a portion of entries directly benefiting the Cranbrook Community Forest. Save the date for May 24-25, 2024, and be part of this spring cycling extravaganza! Registration opens at the end of January.
To learn more about the event & how to apply - head to the official website.
