Event Information
In a hurry? Check out the Fool's Guide to the Fool's Run. It just might be all you need.
April 7, 2019, 9:17am*
On this page: Race Day Details
More Event Info:
"Thank you for making my inaugural April Fool's Run so much fun! This was the most well-organized run I have ever participated in!" — Judy Westacott, Vancouver
Start Times & Location
- Regular Start: 9:17am
- Early Start (walkers & 3hr+ runners): 8:17am
- Race Morning Check-in: Gibsons & Area Community Centre, 700 Park Road, Gibsons
- Start Line: 300m north of the community centre on Park Road
- Finish Line: Mission Point Park, Davis Bay (Sechelt)
Features
- 9:17am start time in the tradition of the very first Fool's Run
- Chip timing mats at the start line and halfway
- Hot soup and other goodies at the finish
- Super soft blend race t-shirt
- Free race photos (digital) for all participants
- Free shuttle buses from the ferry to the start, and from the finish back to Gibsons and ferry
- Rural scenery and small-town friendliness
- Professional finish line race announcer and DJ
- Easy and affordable online registration with no processing fee added; discounts for Seniors, Youth and BC Athletics members
- BMO running gloves for everyone
- Free gear check
- TV coverage by Coast Cable
- Special rates at official race hotels and B&B's
- Eco-friendly practices: see Green Page
- Traffic cones marking the entire course
- Every km clearly marked, plus first mile, halfway & 400m to go
- Finisher's medal with option to personalize with engraved tab
- Relay/spectator shuttle schedule during race
- Great draw prizes
Gear Check
Bring your bag to the Gibsons Community Centre on race morning and we will transport it to the finish area for you, for free. Remember it's early April — unless you're from Antarctica, you'll be wanting dry clothes and warm outerwear at the finish line. Do not check valuables.
Please bring your own SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED bag. A backpack or sports bag works nicely (like your 'carry-on' bag when flying). We will also have some plastic bags available, if you just have a few loose items to check.
Volunteers have the right to refuse bags that are unreasonably large or heavy. No luggage or duffle bags — pack light! If you have lots of stuff with you, make arrangements to leave most of it in a vehicle at the start, or in your hotel — only check what you'll need at the finish line.
- Look for the Baggage Tag attached to your bib number (tear off strip). Staple it around your bag handle — either at home or at the Gear Labelling table on race morning in Room 209, between 7:45 and 9:10am.
- If you need to stash your bag while you warm up, and access it again before the start, you can leave it at the Gear Labelling table temporarily, then reclaim it before 9:10am and check it onto the vans (see below). After 9:10am, any bags not collected will be checked onto the mini-vans.
- When you're ready to check your bag, bring it to the volunteers at the mini-vans parked just outside Room 209, no later than 9:10am. You'll be heading to the start line by then anyway. Look for the number range sign on the van corresponding to your bib #.
- After your run, claim your bag at Mission Point House (just beyond and to the right of the finish line). You'll be required to show your bib number. You can get changed inside the heated Rotary building at the Davis Bay Beach parking lot.
See finish line map, top left
Aid Stations
Aid stations will be located at 5.5k, 11k, 15k and 18.5k. Each of the aid stations will have 1 portapotty, plus one extra portapotty at the 3rd relay exchange. Water and Gatorade will be offered at each station by our enthusiastic volunteers.
Medical Support
Medical support will be on hand pre-race, on course and at the finish line. On-course support coordinated by Kellei Baker of BC First Aid. All medical support staff will have a print out of everyone's medical information as submitted when registering (now you know why we ask for it!).
Toilet Facilities
There are plenty of indoor toilets at the Gibsons Community Centre at the start. On course, you'll find one portapotty at each aid station plus one at the third relay exchange (top of Marlene Rd). There will be one more at the finish line. Public indoor washrooms/changerooms are also within 150m of the finish (in the Rotary building at the beach parking lot).
Unofficial: at approx. the 1 mile mark there is a Tim Horton's/Wendy's that could come in handy... also a Starbuck's...
Course Restrictions
Sorry, this course is not suitable for wheelchairs. No dogs, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards or strollers allowed on the course, for safety reasons.
Baby joggers are allowed on the Leg 1 and Leg 2 relay portions only. This is due to Legs 3 and 4 being on the highway and/or narrow roads in Roberts Creek. You must start at the back if doing Leg 1 with a baby jogger.
Headphones/iPods are very strongly discouraged, but if you believe you can't run without music, keep the volume very low or use one ear only. You MUST be able to hear course marshals, other participants, and approaching vehicles. If you fail to respond to verbal warnings/instructions by a race official, you could be disqualified. We're not trying to be mean — this is for everyone's safety! Just like anywhere else, there are some crazy drivers on the Sunshine Coast. Also if you are in the early start you need to hear when runners are coming up behind you, and give them room to pass safely.
For more information please read BC Athletics' Road Race Etiquette Guidelines.
Timing & Results
The race will be timed by Startline Timing using Chronotrack timing technology. There will be a display clock at the finish line. Results will be posted at the finish line and online on race day.
Please note:
- There will be chip mats at the start, halfway, and finish. Net chip times will be listed for personal info only; awards and official results are based on 'gun time' (from the start time to when you cross the finish line).
- Your timing chip will be on your bib number. Do not crumple or bend it. NO BIB CHIP = NO RESULT! Wear the bib on your chest, clearly visible at the finish line.
- Relays: only the last runner wears a bib chip. Gun time only for relays.
Relay team-mates: do NOT run in with your final runner! Group Challenge members: do NOT re-cross the line with slower team-mates! This will cause problems with the results. Find a spot on the sidelines and CHEER for them instead. If you stop running and get a ride to the finish, DO NOT CROSS THE FINISH LINE.
Finisher's Medal with Insert Option
A high-quality, commemorative April Fool's Run Finisher's Medal will be given to each individual and relay team (each team member receives a medal) completing the Half Marathon. Antique Gold with printed neck ribbon. Click image at left for detail view.
Personalize your finisher's medal with our insert option!
For just $7.50 you can get a personalized insert for your medal with your name and official finishing time laser-engraved — fits neatly into a frame on the back! Order when registering or, if already registered, via our extras order page, or during late registration/packet pickup, and it will be mailed out 3-4 weeks after the race. Order deadline 1 week after race day. Comes with a self-adhesive backing. Click image to enlarge.
Individual Race Photos
Free digital photos for every participant! We will have photographers on course and at the finish line. Photos will be posted on our Facebook page after the run, where you can download them for free.
Weather
Weather on the Sunshine Coast in early April is variable but moderate. In recent years, race morning has ranged from a crisp dry 5-7°C to a balmy 16°C with sunshine, to a typical west coast 10°C and rain. In 2012 we woke up to snow and finished in mild sunshine! The odds of dry conditions are good — it rained on the race only three times in the past 12 years.
Your best bet is to come prepared for a range of conditions and check the local forecast (see below) as close to start time as possible. And note, in spring Sechelt is often warmer than Gibsons by a few degrees, with less precipitation (further from the North Shore mountains).
If you can't view the above weather badges, use the following direct links from Environment Canada: 7-day forecast for Gibsons; 7-day forecast for Sechelt
Future race dates:
April 5, 2020
April 11, 2021
April 3, 2022
April 2, 2023
April 7, 2024