Despite the wet and windy weather last Satur-day, 150 cross-country racers enjoyed the myriad mountain bike trails of Roberts Creek at the annual Coaster mountain bike race.
Although a few lost the battle with the mud, most riders came across the line smiling, according to race director Sue Duxbury. Search and rescue was on hand to provide first aid, with mild hypothermia being the only call of the day.
Local bike shops Off the Edge and Spin Cycles offered tech support.
The top pro/elite men's riding and overall winner was Josh Carlson of Vancouver in a time of 2:11:52, followed by Greg Day of Squamish in 2:12:58 and Kevin Calhoun of North Vancouver in 2:16:00.
The top pro/elite female and lone rider in the category was Brandi Heisterman of North Vancouver in a time of 2:47:03.
Several Sunshine Coast riders won their categories, including Jody Schick (short course 30-39 male), Sa Boothroyd (short course 50+ female), Emily Duncan-Hansen (cross country marathon 15 to 19 female), Jacques Martiquet (cross country marathon 15 to 19 male) and Meghan Molnar (cross country marathon 30 to 39 female).
Cash prizes donated by Kris Sneddon went to Boothroyd and Schick for the 20 km course, and Molnar and Glen Illingworth for the marathon course.
On Sunday another 200 riders ripped it up on the Mach Chicken downhill course, 25 of those choosing to vie for the coveted "same bike" prize - doing the marathon cross country and the downhill on the same bike with no modifications.
Local Forrest Riesco had the fastest run of the day with a time of 2:43 winning the pro/elite male category. Other local category winners included: Evan Robinson (13 to 14 male), Magnus Manson (15 to 16 male) and Jimmy Pollard (19 to 29 male). See the sports ticker below for local results from both events.
More than $6,000 was awarded in prize money including cash for the Coasters by Boothroyd hidden all over the trails.
Duxbury said more than 50 volunteers and 16 local sponsors helped make the event a huge success.
"I was very happy with the weekend. We usually get anywhere between 25 and 30 walk-ups the day of the race. That number was cut in half because of the weather, but you can't control that," Duxbury said.
"The racers were extremely positive and they love the support they get from our salmon barbecue and beer garden to our enthusiastic marshals that help keep the riders going.
"We have an incredible core group of trail builders who are out there every day after work and on weekends. I'm just a coordinator and every year our volunteers go above and beyond for this race. It's a huge community event."
