Why Just Run? - The Islands

Course Notes

Ah, islands. Stirs to mind thoughts of sunsets, palm trees and mojitos. Well, this is a different type of island and different type of event. This is the Why Just Run finale of 2010; Why Just Run the Islands!

Welcome to the third and final Why Just Run event of 2010. In Why Just Run events, participants use a map to find their way through a series of checkpoints. At each checkpoint, you “punch-in” using your SI–Card (provided near the start.) At the finish, you punch a special Finish checkpoint to signify you have completed your course. At that point you will receive a printout showing your time at each checkpoint location. And throughout the course, you will encounter different challenges – today you scramble around the islands.

All participants on all courses will start at the same time. Special start instructions will be given at the start line for each course. The starting time is 10:00 AM for all courses.

All three courses have some element of scramble to them; most are located on Islands - without the mojitos :-( Each of these scrambles are noted on the map by a thick purple box surrounding the checkpoints. You may find these checkpoints within a scramble at any time, in any order while on your course. For example, in the beginning scramble, you may find three checkpoints on the way out and the final one on the way back. Or, you could leave them all to the end – it’s all your choice.

All courses will visit the maze. The checkpoint is located somewhere in the maze; an inset on your map shows the location of the checkpoint. Although the maze has high hedges, there are no minotaur inside. Maybe a few mosquitoes though.

There is a water station for the Sport and Adventure courses located at a road/trail junction (not a checkpoint) and is shown on your map with a symbol of a cup.

Beginner Course – 2.6 km

Participants on the Beginner course have the Centre Island scramble with four checkpoints to complete at some point in their race. In addition to the Centre Island scramble, they will also have five checkpoints to find in the order as shown on your map.

Sport Course – 4.7 km

The Sport course has an extended scramble that is on both Centre Island and the main island with six checkpoints in total. Be careful; there are two checkpoints labelled E and F at the far east end of the course. There are also seven checkpoints to visit in order. You may interrupt your visit around checkpoints 5 and 6 to visit E and F.

Adventure Course – 7.2 km

There are three different scrambles on the Adventure course. The Centre Island scramble of four checkpoints; three checkpoints on Algonquin Island, and three more on Ward’s Island. Additionally, there are 13 checkpoints to visit throughout the race.

There are potential hazards that should be avoided throughout the Islands.

• Water! This is a series of islands after all. Only cross the water at designated bridges. There’s no need to wade or swim this year.

• Respect other people enjoying the park, especially Centreville Amusements. Please don’t run through picnics, playing fields or young children waiting in line for the swan ride.

The course time limit is 90 minutes, please make sure you return within 90 minutes of the start and check in at the finish. Even if you decide not to complete your course, check back at the finish to we know you’re back safe and sound.

Have a great time out there!