Mountain Running

Red Bull Divide & Conquer 2014

The multidiscipline endurance race hits Vancouver's North Shore on Sunday, June 8, 2014.

By Charlie Grinnell

5 min readPublished on 03/11/2017 · 8:44 AM UTC

Teams of 3 participants will take on a course that will include mountain running, mountain biking, and kayaking. They will push their limits in a mix of locations on the North Shore of Vancouver, including Grouse Mountain.

Along with the team competition, this year we are pleased to announce the introduction of a solo category for those competitors interested in completing each discipline on their own.

Red Bull Divide & Conquer Course Map
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Mountain Run

The start line will rise at the incredibly scenic Cleveland Park on Vancouver’s North Shore with The Lions, the most iconic peaks in BC's lower mainland, as a backdrop. Runners will gain elevation almost immediately, with almost 6,000 feet of climbing and a near double ascent of Grouse Mountain.

Yes, runners will be climbing Grouse, on foot, twice, and not even on the much more straight forward Grouse Grind.

Runners will also navigate the legendary technicality of the North Shore's Baden Powell trail, and the only relief of descent they'll receive will be a leg thrashing descent. Although very tough, it will also be a run of sights through a west coast rainforest paradise.

Mountain Bike

The mountain bike section of Red Bull Divide & Conquer will be challenging both physically and technically - so riders will have to sharpen their skills and bring a good set of lungs. The course will start with a five-kilometer section of fireroad beginning at the top of Grouse with a slight downhill grade on a gravel road allowing for closely bunched groups to work together or separate themselves with a little effort from those chasing.

Entering the first singletrack on Mt. Fromme, the technical games will begin. This descent is followed closely by some technical climbing along the Baden Powell that will bring the riders back for one of a series of significant ascents up the Mountain Highway, an old access road and popular local training spot. These climbs will give the riders an open connection to the legendary trails of the North Shore. Here, we will add to our thrilling initial descent a number of other trails giving speed and flow over the natural rock and root that defines the North Shore. In a final dash back towards the Cleveland Dam and the third leg of the event, riders will traverse back around the foot of Grouse Mountain on the Skyline Path.

Those who have the courage to race full throttle for this entire track both up and down, will experience a truly balanced course both physically and technically.

The door is open for any bike to win; it could be a 4, 5 or 6 inch steed, but the pilot who wins this segment will most certainly be an All Mountain stallion.

Paddle

The Capilano River’s rushing waters descend from the Coast Mountain Range, cutting a deep bedrock gorge with walls rising to forty metres in places. This challenging, washing machine of a river will keep you focused as you pass through coastal rainforest and into Burrard Inlet and the finish line at beautiful Ambleside Park, looking out to Stanley Park and the Lion’s Gate Bridge.

Divide & Conquer kayakers will put in with a seal launch off the rocky riverbank at the Capilano Salmon Hatchery in the shadow of the imposing Cleveland Dam. Water levels are high and reliable in June, and can reach class IV, but can also fluctuate quickly, depending on the dam and Mother Nature.

Paddling the drop and pool Capilano River is an unforgettable and challenging ten-kilometer plus read & run course, that will transport you far from the urban environment that surrounds it. The run offers a variety of small feature playspots ranging from the occasional surf wave, to the odd lateral spin/cartwheel pourover.

But kayakers should watch for other users headed upstream – Chinook salmon up to 45 pounds are likely to pass you in the opposite direction, watched closely by hungry bald eagles, herons and osprey perched on the rocky walls.

This is an enchanted canyon and should only be attempted by those who can handle its powerful spell.

Make sure to follow @RedBullVanCity on Twitter for more updates.

If you're looking to get geared up for the event, click here.

Registration is open from April 28th to June 7th, 2014, register below.

Solo Category Registration

Individuals will take on a course that will include mountain running, mountain biking, and kayaking. They will push their limits in a mix of locations on the North Shore of Vancouver, including Grouse Mountain. For more info about the Solo Category, click here.

Team Category Registration

Team Finder

Looking to join a team to compete? Let us help you find one! Cutoff for the Team Finder is June 1, 2014. For more info about the Team Finder, click here.