Scenes from British Columbia’s challenging Squamish 50 trail race

@thatdakotajones is back! Winning #squamish50 in a new CR. Boom.

A video posted by Salomon Running (@salomonrunning) on Aug 20, 2016 at 5:47pm PDT

Views of the Pacific, snow-capped glaciers and single-track running trails: A trail race setting doesn’t get too much better than that.

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One of British Columbia’s toughest trail races, the Squamish 50, was held this weekend in the town located about halfway between Vancouver and Whistler. Canadian trail running guru Gary Robbins is the race director and put on a great event for local trail runners and some top international talent.

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The 50-mile was on Saturday and the 50K was held on Sunday. For the extra brave, there is a 50/50 challenge where runners compete in both races on back-to-back days. A 23K race is also held on Sunday for runners who aren’t into the ultramarathon distances.

The course features up to 11,000 feet of climbing and descent. The 50K course is point-to-point with an 11-hour cut-off time. With no loops, it’s best suited for more experienced trail runners.

The 50-mile course is known for being tougher on the latter portion of the race so runners feel twice the burn considering late-race fatigue paired with technical terrain.

And they're off! #SQ50 50km runners are on course.

A photo posted by Gary Robbins (@garyrobbins) on Aug 21, 2016 at 6:15am PDT

The Squamish 50K just finished late this afternoon with Anna Frost winning the women’s race and Brendan Trimboli winning the men’s race.

Dakota Jones of the United States won the 50-miler on Saturday; Hannah Green was the women’s winner.

Dakota Jones & Hannah Green win the 2016 Squamish 50 Mile in 7:31:09 & 9:06. Dakota set a new course record. pic.twitter.com/jv7uLhYVmK

— iRunFar (@iRunFar) August 20, 2016

All races sold out at this year’s event and race director Robbins greeted athletes with high-fives as each trail runner crossed the finish line. Now that’s dedication.

Anne Marie Madden is our female winner for the 23km in a time of 2:03!! pic.twitter.com/fXGuz18hfe

— Squamish50 (@Squamish50) August 21, 2016

RELATED: Confession: I just turned 30 and entered a new racing age category.

Photos

Looks like Robbins was well-prepared in the hydration department

Who's thirsty? Drink up #SQ50 runners, drink up.

A photo posted by Gary Robbins (@garyrobbins) on Aug 19, 2016 at 12:06pm PDT

The best beer is #finishlinebeer #beerbod #Squamish50 #SQ50 #howesoundbrewing

A photo posted by @xannonlum on Aug 21, 2016 at 12:21pm PDT

Runners seen from above on Legacy Trail during the @Squamish50. #squamish50

A video posted by Jeff Pelletier (@jpelletier) on Aug 21, 2016 at 11:29am PDT

Second place for @thedenuch and first 50/50 runner to finish. Now for a luxuriously long 14 hour recovery time before he gets to race again! #squamish5050 #sfrcracing #teamtrailwolf

A photo posted by Jenny Maier (@jennymaier) on Aug 20, 2016 at 2:41pm PDT

Racers and crew ready for #Squamish50! #lovetherun #thesweatlife #thesweatlifeYVR #trailrunning #ultramarathon #TAUR

A photo posted by Linda Wong (@lwruns604) on Aug 21, 2016 at 7:04am PDT

50/50 champ. #saytwowords #squamish5050 #squamish50

A photo posted by Jenny Maier (@jennymaier) on Aug 21, 2016 at 1:01pm PDT

These two local ladies are currently out there running 50km right now ?? Wishing I was there, but also sending good vibes and big smiles! Go ladies Go! • • • #Repost @northstarr.runner with @solanaleigh @repostapp ……the perfect combination of a good friend and good trails. ?? #sorca #traillove #ultratraining #lovetherun #sq50 #squamish #squamlife #ladiesofthetrails #squamish50 #50k #goodvibesonly #trailrun #tailrace #treasuretrail #salomonrunning #ultrarunning #runninglife #caprarunning #hitcase #trailchix

A photo posted by T I F F??P H I L L I P S (@ffit_personal_training) on Aug 21, 2016 at 12:02pm PDT

So much to reflect on 12 hours after crossing the finish line of the most difficult race I've ever done. Technical, gauntlet, and grueling are the words that immediately come to mind. The course never lets up from miles 7 through 49. Not once. On a course where my legs felt like mile 40 at mile 18 and the 2-4 mile long downhills took just as long as the uphills, there was a time around mile 37 that I seriously considered withdrawing from my 2 remaining races this season and never signing up for another race. I still might, but will take some time on this one. This is not an easy course by any means. If it were a ski slope, it's a double black diamond meant for those who know what they're doing. Yes, I finished, but I took my skis off and slid down on my butt. Does that still count? Huge shout out to the volunteers who were quick to take care of you and then sent you off like a champion as you continued on your journey. I never felt stronger then the first 100 meters out of every aid station. Except the finish line. When I was immediately bear hugged by race director @garyrobbins. He gets it. He knows what he's created and what he puts people through every year. He sees it in your eyes as you struggle to find the words to describe the pain mixed with relief and the demons you've overcome to get to this point. Yesterday was a long day I won't soon forget. Oh, and I saw 2 bears. . . . #squamish50 #sq50 #trailrunning #ultramarathon #trail #race #racerecap #50miler #distancerunning #endurance #racebling #medal #mountains #choosemountains #runsteep #trainracebeer #runner #running #competitor #workout #healthy #health #fitness #fit #fitfam #mountains #alwaysup #explore #adventure #canada

A photo posted by heystv (@heystv) on Aug 21, 2016 at 10:12am PDT

New friend. #Squamish50

A photo posted by David (@davidvontravel) on Aug 20, 2016 at 10:45pm PDT

My first ultra "race" in a long while, and it was epic. Old forests with carpets of soft moss, (way too many) switchbacks, stunning views of snowcapped Garibaldi mountains, four bee stings, two falls, twisted ankle, countless @tailwindnutritionasia sachets and bananas, some highs and some miserable lows, but I sucked it up and crushed this 80km run with 3000m+ elevation. ?

A photo posted by Denvy Lo (@denvylo) on Aug 20, 2016 at 10:03pm PDT

Time to go follow 7 billion pink flags along the Squamish 50 course tomorrow with a couple hundred of my closest friends. Should be good times! #squamish50 #sq50 #capra #caprarunning #running #trailrunning #squamish #squamishisawesome #squamishbc #wheredthebunnygo #fredthebear??

A photo posted by Solana Klassen (@solanaleigh) on Aug 20, 2016 at 8:31pm PDT

Spent the afternoon getting teary eyed at the #sq50 finish line with @ninzb. Watched some super inspiring runners wrap up the fifty miler. Congrats to everyone who ran today! #trailrunning #ultrarunning #trailandultra #squamish50 #beautifulbc #lovetherun #bigfinish #runnerscommunity #runwild #runfree #runhappy #squamishtrails ?☀️??

A photo posted by Lauren Daley (@daleyruns) on Aug 20, 2016 at 7:26pm PDT

Full results can be found here.