The Subaru Bruce Peninsula Multisport Race is in its 8th year, this time celebrating the achievements of its racers at the finish line in Wiarton with an enhanced festival.

This August 11th, racers, spectators, volunteers and festival-goers will pack Bluewater Park to its capacity to watch the finishers cross the line after 2 to 12 hours of paddling, biking and running across the Bruce Peninsula.

Friday evening's Wiarton Farmers Market Pasta Dinner fundraiser will run from 5pm until 8pm or while quantities last, and then it's off to sleep for the endurance racers, some of whom need to board the bus in Wiarton at 5am the next morning. As usual, the Buff Long Course racers will start the race at an undisclosed off-site location on Saturday morning and work their way back to Bluewater Park's finish line throughout the afternoon by paddling, biking and running through the wilderness. Approximate distance covered by each racer is 100km.

On the Saturday, a big story-line to watch is "Who will be the first solo racer across the finish line?" Alexandre Provost (Montreal, Quebec) is one of Canada's premier adventure racers and father-and-son competitors David and Will Hitchon (Midland, Ontario) all have a successful track records in adventure racing, but are among an elite group signed up for the race. These new contenders for the title will be surrounded by previous BPMR long course champions in William Logie (Toronto, Ontario), Angela Schnuerch (Naples, New York), Jason Urckfitz (Menden, New York), Peter Beisel (Owen Sound, Ontario), Patricia Clune (Toronto, Ontario) Shannon Miller (Blue Mountains, Ontario) and Ryan Blake (Barrie, Ontario) who all know exactly what they need to do to win. Provost and both Hitchons are not likely to be intimidated as they've raced among giants in much longer races. That being said, the Multisport Race is a challenge that is unique in that it's pure speed on marked trails that will take the title. There is no orienteering required in the BPMR, so that fact alone will level the playing field for these three traditional adventure racing giants.

For those signed up for the 2-3 hour race, the visually-stunning start of the sprint course at 10am on Saturday -- just off the Wiarton pier -- will again precede a battle between the solo Suntrail Course and duathlon racers to see who can cover the distance "Up the Peninsula" and arrive back in Bluewater Park first. There are returning champs in the sprint courses as well, including Mark Shouldice (Shallow Lake, Ontario) who has raced in all 7 previous editions of the sprint race.

At the new finish line festival, partially funded by a grant from the Government of Ontario, there will also be a Scotiabank Live Site broadcast on an 9'x14' LED Jumbotron, a concert from Juno-nominated and Neyaashiinigmiing-born Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie and his electronic Pow Wow Trail vibes, plus free live music all afternoon, a bustling vendors village, and a new Craft Beer & Cider festival tent.

The Summer House Kids Race (all afternoon) and Northern Confections Awards Show (4:30pm) are back as well, as are some chances for festival-goers to win some prizes at various booths.

There's also still time for the general public to snag a last-minute Suntrail Course solo or relay spot. The races sold out early this year but extra availability is now found at www.mulitisportrace.ca or by searching the race's facebook event for racers who are unable to make it.

The proceeds from the event this year are earmarked for trail improvements at the Spirit Rock Conservation Area.

The kids race proceeds will again benefit New Hope Community Bikes, and this year there will be loaner bikes available for free. As always, there are fun obstacles plus a great welcome package & lots of prizes. The price of admission in the Kids race remains $20 per child. Kids 5-7 start at 2pm, Kids 8-10 start at 3pm, and registration begins at noon in the park for those who haven't pre-registered online at www.brucepeninsulamultisportrace.ca

Flights, Via Rail tickets, Mountain BIkes from Bikeface Cycling, high-end sport equipment from local businesses like Suntrail - Source for Adventure, plus kids race prizes, volunteer prizes and random prizes will all be up for grabs at the Northern Confections Awards Show to conclude the festivities.

The organizers would like to acknowledge the support of all the sponsors and partners, most especially the Chippewas of Nawash unceded First Nation and all the landowners involved, for providing racers with one-day only access to some of the most spectacular and technical trails in our neighbourhood. Although there are opportunities to be a spectator elsewhere on the peninsula, it's strongly recommended spectators attend the finish line where there will be video coverage on the Scotiabank Live Site and racers to cheer on when they need it most: at the very end of their effort.

This enduance challenge, the technical trails, and the inspiring scenery that make up the Subaru BPMR is what makes the event so popular that it even keeps returning champs coming back for more.

Full information on the race, including information on how to volunteer, is at www.brucepeninsulamultisportrace.ca