THE DARK

Race Date: November 2, 2024

Are you a child of the night? Are you longing for the warm embrace of a dark cavern? Do you love coal and mining history? You are in luck! Welcome to The Dark – a loop race in the Bellevue Underground Mine (BUM).

The mine shaft is 250m long with a 1% grade, so each loop is 500m. It is approximately 4m wide for most of its length, so there is comfortable room for four people side by side (except by the old mine car). Competitors will run until they cannot run anymore within their 6, 12, or 24-hour time limit. The goal is to complete as many laps to the end of the shaft in that time period.

BUM is almost always 0˚ to 2˚C, 365 days a year, so it's probably the most predictable weather you'll ever have at a race. There will be a warming station with food at the entrance to the mine.

The race is limited to 100 competitors due to the tight quarters. You will receive a custom snap-back hat as your swag item. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Bellevue Underground Mine.

Race Details

Date/Times:

Friday, November 1

6:00 p.m. - Early Check-in 6:00pm-8:00pm (Sinister Sports office; 2419 213 Street, Bellevue, AB)

Saturday, November 2

7:00 a.m. - Late check-in 7:00am-8:30am (Sinister Sports office; 2419 213 Street, Bellevue, AB)
8:45 a.m. - Race Briefing for First Start - at BUM
9:00 a.m. - Mass Start (24-hour, 6-hour shift)
3:00 p.m. - 6-hour Race Ends
4:00 p.m. - 6-hour Awards and late lunch (Bellevue Seniors' Hall; 2413 213 Street, Bellevue, AB)
7:00 p.m. - 12-hour Race late check-in - at BUM
8:45 p.m. - Race Briefing for Second Start (12-hour shift) - at BUM
9:00 p.m. - Mass Start (12-hour shift)

Sunday, November 3

9:00 a.m. - 12 and 24-Hour Shifts End
9:30 a.m. - 12 and 24-hour Category Brunch and Awards (Bellevue Seniors' Hall; 2413 213 Street, Bellevue, AB)

Host Site:

Bellevue Underground Mine

Duration:

24, 12, or 6-hour

Course:

Please see the course description here

Registration:

Open to solo runners – 100 racers total.

Support Crew:

Support crews are allowed to station themselves near the CP. If they are within the CP tent, their setup must be minimal and not block race traffic.

Drop Bags:

If you do not have a support crew, you are allowed to leave a bag at the aid station. Make it something noticeable and waterproof. While we have tents, it isn't always possible to keep everything out of the rain when the wind starts blowing.

Categories:

Female Solo - 24-hour
Male Solo - 24-hour
Female Solo - 12-hour
Male Solo - 12-hour
Female Solo - 6-hour
Male Solo - 6-hour