Squamish 50’s statement regarding event status and B.C.’s wildfires

As wildfires continue to hit British Columbia, running events in the Metro Vancouver area and throughout the southern area of the province are on high alert in monitoring air quality. Approximately 500,000 hectares have burned since April 1, 2017, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service resulting in widespread forest fire smoke.

The sold-out Squamish 50, scheduled for Aug. 19-20, posted a statement to Facebook on Monday addressing the situation. The event, organized by Geoff Langford and Gary Robbins, has an estimated 90 per cent chance of happening, according to the update. The air quality in Squamish, located halfway between Vancouver and Whistler, is a “7,” or “high risk,” on a scale of 1-10 as of Aug. 8.

Weather forecast tentatively calls for rain this weekend, which marks one week out from the popular trail event. “A steep breeze or some rain would alter everything almost instantly,” the statement, in part, reads. Squamish 50 notably offers a 50K, 50-miler and 23K.

RELATED: Squamish 50 sells out eight months ahead of race day.

Statement

This past weekend, the Red Bull 400 in Whistler, B.C. was cancelled because of poor air quality. Langford was on site in Whistler as the race director while Robbins oversaw the event from afar.