Crowsnest Pass • Sole Survivor Trail Race

On a hot day in July, about 20 years ago, I lined up for the Sole Survivor Race, here in the Crowsnest Pass. It was my first foot race as an adult, and I didn’t actually register(I didn’t like the idea of racing), instead, I started to the side of all the bibbed racers when the gun went off. That was the day I fell into a weird sort of “love” with many elements of racing, and now, I coach other runners. The Sole Survivor Race is, to me, at the heart of our running community.

I spoke recently to Sasha Harriott, one of the dedicated volunteer directors of the Sole Survivor, a not for profit event, to talk about our community’s gem of a race. We talked about its trajectory from road race to trail race, and what follows is an excerpt of our conversation. The responses are, mostly, what Sasha had to say:

Tell me about the Sole Survivor.

It is a local race focused on family, fitness, and fun! It is a trail race that uses the bike trail system on the Pass Powderkeg ski hill, in Blairmore. There is a 2.5km distance, a 5km distance, and a 10km distance. The 10km distance is a challenge, with its uphill and downhill terrain, but certainly an excellent introduction to trail racing!

The race could not continue without the support of our wonderful community, and has been running for 22 years.

When did the Sole Survivor Race start, and who organized it?

The race originated in 2001, and at its inception, it was a road race. The founder of the race was Lori Groat. We had to miss one year due to Covid-19.

When did you take it over? And Why?

I, my husband Craig Harriott, June Vastenhaut, Paul Pichurski, and Jackie Woodman took over the organization and staging of Sole Survivor, because we loved the race and wanted to see it continue. It used to be based out of the Albert Stella Arena (no longer standing), and now the event happens at Pete’s Park. One year we staged it out of the Elk’s Hall and there was a wicked thunderstorm to start things off! We eventually switched it to a trail race and haven’t looked back since! Jody Peebles, Brandy Fehr and Kathy Wakaluk-Yanko have also been part of the organizing team.

More about Sasha…

I live in the Crowsnest Pass because… I wanted to raise my children (4 of them) in the mountains, so that they could enjoy all of the outdoor opportunities here. We moved from Calgary in 2006.

A Crowsnest Pass experience that I recommend… start the morning early with a trail run, then go bike some of our excellent trails, and finish the afternoon with a fish, or a swim, in the Crowsnest River.

You can check out the race here: solesurvivor.ca and register for July 20!

Written by Sarah Nurcombe
Fit2Function
Visit fit2function.ca or call 403.563.8405