It was an uphill challenge as runners and cyclists competed in the third annual Giant’s Head Grind on Saturday.
The race covered 5.6 kilometres, with a 500-metre elevation gain.
In the past, the event consisted of an uphill run or hike. This year, a cycling portion was added.
The runners and hikers followed a series of trails uphill to the summit of the mountain while the cyclists followed a paved route to the upper parking lot in the park.
A total of 26 cyclists competed this year, with most also taking part in the run. Among those running or hiking, there were 369 finishers.
Cycling: First Andrew Funamoto, Vancouver, 23:39; second Jason Curran, Vancouver, 24:29; third Chris Guillemet, Vancouver, 24:40, fourth Kyle Stevens, Summerland, 27:03. The first female cyclist was Krista Matthews of Vancouver, who finished sixth overall with a time of 27:28.
Hiking: First Jason Curran, Vancouver, 34:57; second Keagan Ingram, Summerland, 35:39; third Chris Dalhuisen, Vancouver, 37:41; fourth Bob Isaak, Summerland, 38:33. The first female finisher was Erin Trainer of Summerland, with a time of 39:59. She was the seventh finisher overall.
The annual race is managed by Ellen Walker-Matthews and her husband Tom Matthews, together with the Summerland Rotary Club, in memory of Walker-Matthews’s son Chris Walker, who died of colon cancer in 2013.
Money raised from the grind will go to colon cancer research and to improving the trail system in Giant’s Head Park.