ELKWATER, AB – Thrill seekers from across Western Canada visited Cypress Hills Provincial Park over the weekend for an annual tradition.
One that unites competitors of all abilities.
The Medicine Hat Massacre was held at YMCA Camp Elkwater on Saturday, with teams of two or three competing in the adventure race.
Competitors had to make their way through the valley by biking, hiking, paddling and running, with the entire event taking most around eight or nine hours.
An added twist to the Medicine Hat event is that the race got underway at 4:00 am, with racers having to either kayak or mountain bike in the dark.
First time competitor Dylan Hilman said it was a real eye-opening experience.
“Definitely challenging, you get to see some different kind of weaknesses that you wouldn’t normally see with other things,” said Hilman. “Definitely lots of burning legs and lungs, so new experiences that way.”
Things started out muddy for the racers, as rain the previous night made for some tough biking and running in the first few hours of competition.
Race director Gerry Prince said the highlight of the event every year is watching the racers finally get back to the camp.
“Once they get to the finish line it’s a triumph, it’s success for everybody,” said Prince. “We love seeing them come, we love seeing them finish, we love seeing them. It’s an accomplishment no matter how many checkpoints they got, they always feel like they’ve really done something great.”
Along with the hiking, biking and kayaking, a climbing element was also available for anyone wanting to earn extra points.
Racer Mike Nightingale added it’s a real community for all those taking part in adventure racing.
“People who do this are just phenomenal,” said Nightingale. “They just have a great spirit and are very friendly, everyone is competing but not overly so. It’s all about camaraderie, friendship, and just being out in the mountains and having a good time.”
This was the 10-year celebration of the Medicine Hat Massacre.
