This was my first attempt at Loop the Lake (10 KM run). It was very challenging. I really enjoyed the run and look forward to coming back next year. I found between the 8th and 9th K to be the biggest test. The course is similar to that of a cross-country course with lots of hills. Something like 99% of the run is on pavement. There were two very short sections across grass, and the other on a steep sand trail. The race commences as a "mass start" out of Windermere. Individual time chips are not provided, so if you want an accurate time, you should be standing near the starting line. The race finished up in Invermere, where the 1/2 and marathon finished. I would expect the number of participants to increase in the future. Good fun and great work by the Rotarians.

I've done this 1/2 two years in a row and will do it again and again. Knowing the course is 17 KM of gentle incline with a 4 KM drop at the end inspired me to work harder and create PBs both years! Plan for weather. It can be super hot or cold with rain. Aid stations are well-placed with amazing volunteers. After the race it feels great to wade straight into the lake at the finish line to cool off the feet and legs! Picturesque! Friendly! Tough course! Fabulous! This whole race is coordinated by about 25 Rotarians as their major fund-raiser for the year. They do an amazing job! They will gladly accept donations of time, prizes, or skills to enhance it! I took a friend with me this year. She loved it (did the ultra), and we are planning on taking a van-load of running-buddies with us next year to run this awesome race. Start training now with lots of sprint-intervals and hill work and you'll do just fine!

I agree with the comments from my friend from Fernie. This is a hard course in the second half and likely not one for a PR. But, I had a great time and I would recommend this to most runners. Plenty of aid stations and the field is very small - much of the time you are alone or with one other runner. It is little out of the way, but I would do it again and everyone was great - even breakfast at the end. I would not mind starting a half hour earlier as the second half was hot and sunny this year. Compliments to the great people of Invermere.

My first 1/2 marathon and after this course I am sure the rest will be much easier. It was soooo hot and no shade at all and more hills than I expected but it was on a mountain after all!!

I wouldn't recommend Invermere to anyone looking for a Personal Best. The course is extremely hilly and August in Invermere is HOT HOT HOT. Also, there were fewer than twenty people in the marathon, so you're bound to run much of the race alone without spectators. HOWEVER, it's a beautiful course. I did it as a long training run for a fall marathon and it's perfect -- hard enough that my September marathon will be easy by comparison. I was thirty minutes off a best time, which is a bit discouraging. But it was a lot of fun and everyone was super friendly. And we all got to start at the actual start line -- no fighting for position! I'll probably do it again ... but I'll need a little while to forget the pain of the last 20 kilometers first! The organization was great and there're nice plaques for the winners. Also, Invermere is a beautiful spot for someone looking to tie in a summer holiday for the family.

This marathon has few runners, so you find yourself mostly running alone. You are taken to the start by bus, and then do a nice long loop of the lovely Lake Windermere in the Columbia Valley. You don't see much of the lake until the second half of the course, and then you finish off in the lovely town of Invermere. Every KM is clearly marked and water/aid stations are plentiful. You will see virtually no spectators until the finish - don't expect the crowds along the course to push you along! The destination is well worth the trip - I enjoyed a week of vacation after the marathon in the Invermere area. I'd definitely run it again.