check in.
START
Upon exiting the shuttle bus in Kelowna, runners must proceed down to the lake to complete the check in process. There are waivers, bibs to pick up, gear to check and drop bags to collect. In an effort to make this transition as smooth as possible, please read through the following details. Please note: you cannot leave a vehicle in Bertram Creek parking overnight or it will be towed. The park closes at 8pm.
STARTING AREA WASHROOMS
As you exit the buses or upper parking lot, and start to proceed down to the lake, there are portable toilets part way down to the left and over a small rise. There are also portable toilets to the right a little ways down the beach. These will be open and accessible right away. There are also public washroom facilities at the waterfront where our starting area is, however our permit restricts these to open before 6am, so please plan accordingly. We will have some WASHROOM signs in place to help direct you as you exit the shuttle bus.
CHECK IN
We will have 3 separate lines that will be in ALPHA ORDER BY RUNNERS LAST NAME, so you’ll need to line up accordingly. Please review the following so you can prepare ahead of time:
Upon exiting the shuttle bus in Kelowna, runners must proceed down to the lake to complete the check in process. There are waivers, bibs to pick up, gear to check and drop bags to collect. In an effort to make this transition as smooth as possible, please read through the following details. Please note: you cannot leave a vehicle in Bertram Creek parking overnight or it will be towed. The park closes at 8pm.
STARTING AREA WASHROOMS
As you exit the buses or upper parking lot, and start to proceed down to the lake, there are portable toilets part way down to the left and over a small rise. There are also portable toilets to the right a little ways down the beach. These will be open and accessible right away. There are also public washroom facilities at the waterfront where our starting area is, however our permit restricts these to open before 6am, so please plan accordingly. We will have some WASHROOM signs in place to help direct you as you exit the shuttle bus.
CHECK IN
We will have 3 separate lines that will be in ALPHA ORDER BY RUNNERS LAST NAME, so you’ll need to line up accordingly. Please review the following so you can prepare ahead of time:
- You’ll first sign a waiver and we have volunteers with clip boards that will troll the line up to make this process quicker.
- Have I.D. with you and have it ready to go by the time you move up the line to get your bib please. (you can put it in your drop bag or running pack afterwards)
- You’ll then clear gear check and pick up your course map. You may want to bring a ziploc bag to keep your map dry.
- Please have your mandatory gear out and visible to help keep the line moving.
- Once you pass gear check, a volunteer will add a “GEAR CHECK” sticker to your bib. Runners without a gear check sticker are not permitted to start the race.
- All racers must be checked in by 6:45am. Thank you.
mandatory gear.
Runners must carry the following gear with them at all times:
- Lightweight jacket for variable weather and cold temperatures.
- Course map (race organizers will provide a copy in your package pick up).
Runners must *start* the race with the following fuel & hydration requirements:
- Hydration pack or 2 large handheld water bottles equalling a minimum of 1.5 litres.
- Minimum 400 calories.
Please note: This is for your safety and race organizers reserve the right to adapt or change the mandatory list/rules last minute. Please ensure you attend the mandatory race briefing for any last minute changes. Thank you for your cooperation.
- Lightweight jacket for variable weather and cold temperatures.
- Course map (race organizers will provide a copy in your package pick up).
Runners must *start* the race with the following fuel & hydration requirements:
- Hydration pack or 2 large handheld water bottles equalling a minimum of 1.5 litres.
- Minimum 400 calories.
Please note: This is for your safety and race organizers reserve the right to adapt or change the mandatory list/rules last minute. Please ensure you attend the mandatory race briefing for any last minute changes. Thank you for your cooperation.
Wildhorse Traverse is demanding and should only be undertaken by athletes in good physical condition. This is a remote point to point race racers need to be prepared for varying temperatures - think in terms of being stuck - if you are forced to spend extra time out in the weather, you will be much better off if you have carried extra clothing & fuel to help. A sprained ankle for instance could mean a long, slow painful limp into the nearest aid station, possibly in cold rain. Hypothermia can be very dangerous, especially on tired bodies with no reserves left for generating heat.
The following is "recommended" gear:
- Cap/toque (some areas are exposed to sun) and it will keep your head warm in cold temperatures.
- Extra warm layer in addition to a jacket, like a thin long sleeve base layer.
- Cell phone: portions of the course has cell coverage.
- Bear Spray.
- Gloves.
- Sunglasses.
- Sunscreen and lip balm.
- High energy fuel and drink.
- Emergency Blanket.
- Cap/toque (some areas are exposed to sun) and it will keep your head warm in cold temperatures.
- Extra warm layer in addition to a jacket, like a thin long sleeve base layer.
- Cell phone: portions of the course has cell coverage.
- Bear Spray.
- Gloves.
- Sunglasses.
- Sunscreen and lip balm.
- High energy fuel and drink.
- Emergency Blanket.
drop bags.
- Runners will have access to their drop bags at the second aid station.
- Racers are responsible for providing their own drop bags and must not be larger than a shoe bag or it will not make the transport vehicle up to the aid station.
- Racers will need to bring their drop bags with them to package pick up, fully labeled with their name & bib number.
- We will mail out a racer list with bib numbers before the race so you can mark your bags accordingly.
- Please ensure your drop bags are properly sealed and protected.
- Drop bags will be delivered to the finish line after the last runners passes through aid #2 at approx. 2pm.
Please note - we are not responsible for wet or lost items. Thank you for your cooperation.
- Racers are responsible for providing their own drop bags and must not be larger than a shoe bag or it will not make the transport vehicle up to the aid station.
- Racers will need to bring their drop bags with them to package pick up, fully labeled with their name & bib number.
- We will mail out a racer list with bib numbers before the race so you can mark your bags accordingly.
- Please ensure your drop bags are properly sealed and protected.
- Drop bags will be delivered to the finish line after the last runners passes through aid #2 at approx. 2pm.
Please note - we are not responsible for wet or lost items. Thank you for your cooperation.
shuttles.
Wild Horse Traverse is a challenging, wild & remote point to point trail running race that requires racers to either shuttle to the start or arrange their own drop off. We have created shuttle options for $5.00 per person and this service can be added to your race entry at the checkout.
Please note:
- our shuttle service is from Naramata to Kelowna ONLY. There is no shuttle back to Kelowna after the race.
- you can't leave your vehicle in Bertram Park parking lot (in Kelowna) over night & the gates for the park close at 8pm.
- Shuttles will depart on 1st street between the Naramata Centre Building and the Lake.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Please note:
- our shuttle service is from Naramata to Kelowna ONLY. There is no shuttle back to Kelowna after the race.
- you can't leave your vehicle in Bertram Park parking lot (in Kelowna) over night & the gates for the park close at 8pm.
- Shuttles will depart on 1st street between the Naramata Centre Building and the Lake.
Thank you for your cooperation.
50K OFFICIAL START SHUTTLE
4:15am: start loading the shuttle buses from The Centre in Naramata
5:30am to 5:45am shuttle buses arrive at Bertram Park in Kelowna.
5:45am to 6:45am: racer check-in & gear check.
6:45am: Race Briefing at Bertram Park start area down by the lake.
7:00am: OFFICIAL race start.
All runners must be through gear check by 6:45am or they will be disqualified from starting.
4:15am: start loading the shuttle buses from The Centre in Naramata
5:30am to 5:45am shuttle buses arrive at Bertram Park in Kelowna.
5:45am to 6:45am: racer check-in & gear check.
6:45am: Race Briefing at Bertram Park start area down by the lake.
7:00am: OFFICIAL race start.
All runners must be through gear check by 6:45am or they will be disqualified from starting.
We offer a shuttle FROM Naramata TO Kelowna the morning of the race. If you’re on the shuttle list and do NOT need the shuttle, please email me.
If your name isn’t on the list and you need the shuttle, follow the steps below to sign up before May 20th.
1. log into your ultra signup account.
2. choose Wildhorse Traverse.
3. click on "store".
4. add to cart & proceed to payment options.
1. log into your ultra signup account.
2. choose Wildhorse Traverse.
3. click on "store".
4. add to cart & proceed to payment options.
aid stations.
Please keep in mind that part of what makes Wild Horse Traverse so "wild" is the remoteness and the fact that racers need to be comfortable and prepared to be self sufficient in-between quite widely spread apart aid stations. The first aid station is 21.5km into the race and although it's only 14km between aid #1 & aid #2 - this section this is the most challenging part of the whole course and shouldn't be under estimated. Some years there are running streams on course which provide the opportunity to draw from creeks and filter or treat water if you are comfortable doing so, however we DON'T recommend relying on this for your hydration source.
Runners have the option to DROP GEAR at Aid Station #2, however your items must fit into your drop bag. You cannot just leave random gear with volunteers, on the tarp or around the aid station. Please be responsible and ensure any dropped gear is placed inside your drop bag. Thank you for your cooperation.
50km Aid Stations
AID #1 - 21.5km
AID #2 - 35.5km *this is also a drop bag area*
AID #3 - 46.5km
AID #1
This aid station is very remote and require boat access only. Therefore, we are limited to the aid that we can bring in. Please take note of what will be offered, so you can plan accordingly.
- water
- Hammer Nutrition HEED
- Coke (cupless - please bring a flask or other portable cup with you)
- Oranges & bananas
- M&M's & trail mix
- Welches fruit snacks
- Brownies
- turkey pepperoni
- potato chips
- pickles
- gels
- Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes
AID #2
Please take note of what will be offered, so you can plan accordingly.
- water
- Hammer Nutrition HEED
- Coke (cupless - please bring a flask or other portable cup with you)
- Watermelon & bananas
- M&M's & trail mix
- Welches fruit snacks
- Brownies & banana bread
- potato chips
- pickles
- gels
- Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes
AID #3
Please take note of what will be offered, so you can plan accordingly.
- water
- Hammer Nutrition HEED
- Coke (cupless - please bring a flask or other portable cup with you)
- watermelon & bananas
- welches fruit snacks
- potato chips
- pickles
- gels
- Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes
Runners have the option to DROP GEAR at Aid Station #2, however your items must fit into your drop bag. You cannot just leave random gear with volunteers, on the tarp or around the aid station. Please be responsible and ensure any dropped gear is placed inside your drop bag. Thank you for your cooperation.
50km Aid Stations
AID #1 - 21.5km
AID #2 - 35.5km *this is also a drop bag area*
AID #3 - 46.5km
AID #1
This aid station is very remote and require boat access only. Therefore, we are limited to the aid that we can bring in. Please take note of what will be offered, so you can plan accordingly.
- water
- Hammer Nutrition HEED
- Coke (cupless - please bring a flask or other portable cup with you)
- Oranges & bananas
- M&M's & trail mix
- Welches fruit snacks
- Brownies
- turkey pepperoni
- potato chips
- pickles
- gels
- Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes
AID #2
Please take note of what will be offered, so you can plan accordingly.
- water
- Hammer Nutrition HEED
- Coke (cupless - please bring a flask or other portable cup with you)
- Watermelon & bananas
- M&M's & trail mix
- Welches fruit snacks
- Brownies & banana bread
- potato chips
- pickles
- gels
- Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes
AID #3
Please take note of what will be offered, so you can plan accordingly.
- water
- Hammer Nutrition HEED
- Coke (cupless - please bring a flask or other portable cup with you)
- watermelon & bananas
- welches fruit snacks
- potato chips
- pickles
- gels
- Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes
start.
Just 10min from downtown Kelowna, Bertram Creek Park is a located along Lakeshore Road. There are lower & upper parking lots and we are asking our runners to use the upper parking lot as it is much larger and closer to the start area. The shuttle will drop off any runners who are coming from Naramata Saturday morning. Please note: you can't leave your vehicle in the parking lot over night. Thank you for your cooperation.
finish.
The Centre sits along a beautiful sandy beach & shaded trees right near the water and has an expanse of green park adjacent. The facilities on site are open to runners making it convenient to get changed post run and washrooms are close by. Don't forget your swimsuit!
accommodations.
There are over 30 different lodgings ranging from lake front vacation rental cottages to bed and breakfasts located amidst orchards and vineyards to guest houses nestled on the hillside overlooking Lake Okanagan and to family resorts in the village proper.
The larger neighboring city, Penticton, is only a short 15min drive away and had boundless accommodation offerings as well.
More information coming soon! In the meantime, please visit Discover Naramata to learn more about this beautiful village.
The larger neighboring city, Penticton, is only a short 15min drive away and had boundless accommodation offerings as well.
More information coming soon! In the meantime, please visit Discover Naramata to learn more about this beautiful village.
camping.
To camp at the finish-line (and where the shuttle will take you to the start race morning) please contact The Centre for rates and reservations