These are approximate starting times subject to change.

6:00 AM PDT - Race Plate Pick Up @ Starting Line

6:45 AM PDT - Pre-Race Briefing - Full Crown + Relay Riders

7:00 AM PDT - Full Crown + Relay Race Start

8:30 AM PDT - First Racers Expected at Aid Station #1

8:45 AM PDT - Half-Crown Pre-Race Briefing

9:00 AM PDT - Half-Crown Race Start

11:00 AM PDT - First Racers Expected at Aid Station #2

12:00 PM PDT - Bevie Garden Opens

12:15 PM PDT - First Half-Crown Finishers Expected Arrival

12:30 PM PDT - Racer Meals (available until 7:30 PM)

12:45 PM PDT - First Racers Expected at Aid Station #3

2:30 PM PDT - First Crown/Relay Finishers Expected

5:00 PM PDT - Awards Start

6:00 PM PDT - Aid Station #3 Cut-Off - All remaining riders (DNF) diverted to Mid Day Valley Road to finish line

6:45 PM PDT - Last Racer Group Ride-In

7:00 PM PDT - Prizes Given Out, Music, Bevie Garden Open

8:00 PM PDT - Closing Ceremonies

12-hour cut-off > Finish Line Closes At 7:00 PM!

The cut-off time for riders to be at Aid Station #3 is 6:00 PM. All remaining riders DNF and will be diverted to Mid Day Valley Road to the finish line.

Cut-off times are meant to keep everyone safe and ensure everyone returns. This race is no joke and we have to ensure all riders are back before dark to ensure everyone’s safety so cut-off times for this race are FIRM.

SWEET PERKS INCLUDED IN YOUR REGISTRATION

• Race entry and trail access

• Finisher Medals

• Custom Racer Bibs

• Timing

• FREE CAMPING

• Tent, RV, and Trailer Access

  • Tent & camping gear not provided, please bring all your equipment

  • Sites are first come, first serve, but there is plenty of room for everyone

• Post-race Meal & Drink (beer/pop/juice)

• Complimentary Race Photos

• Donations to the MMBA & NVSAR

• Stocked Aid Stations

• Professional Medical Crew On Site

• Physio, massage, chiro (subject to availability)

• Awards ceremony with prizing for top 3

• Tons of draw prizes to be won from our awesome sponsors

• Beer Garden, Tunes, and GOOD VIBES

• Super rad volunteers!

FREE CAMPING!

Don’t miss out on the good vibes all weekend long! Join your fellow riders and set up camp in the beautiful Coutlee Plateau, seconds away from the starting line where you can get all those extra minutes of sleep in the morning to help you be refreshed and energized for your big day!

The campsite is located here, right at the start/finish line. It is 5 km southwest of town on Mid Day Valley Rd. Please access the furthest camping areas first and allow latecomers to fill in the remaining spots closer to the road as they arrive. See the map here.

• Tent, RV, and Trailer Access

• Tent & camping gear not provided, please bring all your equipment

• Sites are first come, first serve, but there is plenty of room for everyone

• Expect Wilderness Camping conditions. No running water onsite, so be sure to bring lots with you.

• Camping Thursday-Sunday nights is permitted, but washrooms will only be onsite from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning.

• No camping within a 10m buffer of the trail and no blocking access to others.

• Any racers may be asked to relocate if they are blocking access.

NO GLASS at the campsite!

Do not leave any garbage. Pack it in, pack it out.

There is tons of free parking onsite. Parking is in a grassy field near the starting line.

Plan to come early if you are coming up in the morning and not camping as there will be a lot of traffic on Midday Valley Road and it’s not always a quick trip up!

*Locations Coming Soon*

Our aid stations will be stocked with all the nutritious and delicious items you’ll need to kick butt in your race!

Here are some things you can expect at each of the aid stations:

• Water, F2C Glycodurance

• Coke, Ginger Ale

• Bananas, Oranges, Apples, Watermelon

• Pickles, Pretzels, Salty Chips

• Gummies, Cookies, M&M’s

** If we are unable to get one of the above items, we will replace it with another similar item.

If there is something specific that helps you run your best, feel free to bring it with you!

We love you. We need you. We couldn’t do it without you!!

More details coming soon.

Race Package Pickup details TBD.

If you are unable to pick up your package early, you can pick it up the morning of the race on site but expect that there may be a slight wait if you opt to pick it up in the morning and plan accordingly. Race packets MUST be picked up by the registered runner, with NO exceptions as this is an insurance requirement. Please have your ID with you to show our team when you pick up your package.

EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS JANUARY 1, 2024

120 KM Early Registration Cost
$175 CDN

60 KM Early Registration Cost
$ 175 CDN

RELAY Early Registration Cost:
$ 125 CDN (per person)

• A $5-$10 donation from every registration will go directly towards Nicola Valley Search and Rescue and Merritt Mountain Bikers Association.

• All prices listed above are subject to sales tax (5% GST in BC). All fees are payable in Canadian Dollars.

• An online processing fee from RaceRoster will be applied to your registration for this event.

60 days before race day (April 16) - 75% of entry fee can be deferred to another Heads or Trails event

30 days before race day (May 16) - 50% of entry fee can be deferred to another Heads or Trails event

21 days before race day (May 25) - No deferrals. No Refunds. No Exceptions. At this point, all of our race expenses have been incurred to put on a fantastic event! We cannot offer any exceptions beyond this point and we appreciate your understanding.

*All deferrals are redeemable within one calendar year from the deferral date, and an entry may only be deferred once.

If the race is unable to proceed in person for any circumstances including, but not limited to, weather, acts of nature, COVID-19, or other circumstances, the event will move ahead virtually.

If you purchased the Race Roster Registration Refund Protection during registration, follow the link to find out how to request your refund. This is a third-party refund process, meaning Heads or Trails is not involved and cannot help with any refund-related questions or issues.

Bibs are non-transferable to another racer under any circumstance.

Also, please note that we do not provide transfers or refunds under any circumstances.

Thank you for your understanding!

MEDALS: All racers will receive a custom Merritt Crown Medal!

DRAW PRIZES: We have tons of draw prizes to give away at the end of the race! Stick around after the event for your chance to win an awesome prize. **Riders MUST claim any draw prizes they won on-site. Prizes will not be held and will be redrawn if the winner has left.

PODIUM: Riders who make the podium will be given a Custom Wooden Plaque during the Awards Ceremony.

AWARDS CEREMONY: The Awards Ceremony will be held after the majority of the riders have finished their race. The exact time will be posted at a later date closer to the race.

Q: What does the course look like?

A: The course will soon be live on Trailforks. There will be 3 aid stations located on the course at 30-40k intervals. As always, you must rely on your own navigation, and not flagging/marshals. Pre-ride and learn the course before race day and you won’t get lost.

Q: Why didn’t I receive an email?

A: We use MailChimp to send emails and it sometimes gets dropped in your junk/spam folder. Please check this first before sending us an email.

Q: When can I pick up my race plate?

A: Details Coming Soon!

Q: What does my ticket include?

Check out the “What’s Included” tab above to find out!

Q: What are the rules?

• Carry a cell phone - you must be reachable at all times in case of emergency.

• Do not rely on signage/ribbons, you must have your own source of navigation.

• Close all gates with signage stating gate to remain closed.

• Slower riders must let faster riders pass.

• Racers must pass through all required checkpoints.

• Racers must pass aid station 3 before 5:00 PM to fulfill the 12-hour time limit.

Q: How does the 12-hour time limit work?

A: The race starts at 7:00 AM and all racers need to complete by 7:00 PM to be eligible for prizes. After 5:00 PM, all remaining racers will be cut off at the third aid station if they haven’t arrived yet. At this point, racers will ride Mid Day Valley Road back to the finish line with a DNF or can be picked up by their own transportation. All racers who do not meet the 12-hour mark must self-report a DNF or risk being barred from registering in future events.

Q: How does the relay work?

A: 4P - each racer rides 30-40k segments of the course. 2P - each racer rides ~60k. The first rider will start at 7 AM and “pass the baton” to the next rider on the course at the first aid station, and so on. The anchor (last rider) must leave or DNS by 4:30 PM so that all racers are safely off course by 7 PM. See the relay sections and more info here. Each relay team member has their own plate and must pick it up during set times (see above). Relay teams should decide who will race each section in advance and find their own transportation to/from the start/finish points. The start points are conveniently located at the aid stations and are all within 20km (driving) from the main start/finish line at Coutlee Plateau. Directions here.

Q: What’s at the aid stations?

See “Aid Stations” Tab above!

Q: Can I bring my own snacks/drinks?

A: New this year, we are offering rider aid kit delivery! Drop-off boxes to collect and distribute rider-packed aid kits will be collected from the start line at 6:45 AM. Your kit should be deposited inside a 12" Ziplock freezer bag with a label on it. Kits will be delivered to the 2nd and 3rd aid stations for Full Crown riders only. This service is not offered to Relay or Half Crown racers.

Q: What should I pack?

A: See “What to Bring” Tab!

Below is a list of other items we highly recommend you carry with you:

Cell phone (required)

Navigation device

Rain jacket

Toilet paper

Water bottles/pack (min. 1L)

Food/snacks

Tools, tubes, patches, etc.

Money & ID

First aid kit

Chamois butter

Bug spray

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Phone battery charger

**NO GLASS at campsite**

This race is a mix of endurance and navigation! The course will be flagged at main intersections, but do not expect to be following flags the entire time! You are required to use your navigation skills to follow the route. PLEASE use the links that will be provided to download the Trailforks and GPX files to your devices so you don’t get lost. The trails can get trampled by the livestock that grazes over them, so diligently following your map is a MUST.

1. Riders MUST carry a phone! This is mandatory

2. All DNFs and race dropouts MUST call and report

3. If you DNF, call us at 778-344-4184 to report your DNF

4. Slower Crown racers, look out for top Half Crown racers from Lindley Creek Rd. on to the finish

5. If somebody asks to pass, you must pull over and let them

6. Do not leave garbage on the course - bins at aid stations

7. Please respect other trail users (hikers, equestrians, bikers)

8. Give racers and trail users a warning that you are close and provide a wide berth when safe to pass

9. Two-way traffic for a 50m section at the start of TMI, the bottom of Brakeless. Uphill riders get priority.

10. Don’t let the cows out. Any closed gates must be left closed after crossing; when in doubt; Close the Gate; please. This race is held with the assistance of the local ranchers so we need to keep vigilant.

The Relay Race is a freakin’ blast! There are some important details to note with the relay:

1. Relay Teams must arrange their transportation for their team to the start/finish points for each leg of the race.

2. The first member of the team will be the team captain and must create the team when registering. Teams DO NOT have to sign up all at once, everyone can sign up individually. The first team member to sign up will have to “Create A Team”, while all members joining later will need to “Join A Team” when registering.

3. The Early Bird Relay cost is $125 per person. Every Relay racer will receive all of the items listed under the “What’s Included tab.