Newly free from the casts on his two broken arms, North Vancouver’s Ryan Ervin was all smiles atop Whistler Mountain as he crossed the finish line for the 5 Peaks trail running series race held on a surprisingly sunny Saturday (Aug. 21).

“I was a little nervous about this race – I usually do the Enduro (distance), but I had to do the Sport today because I broke both my arms mountain biking in the middle of June, so I just got my casts off. The scree slope running down was a little sketchy, but it was wicked, it was fun,” Ervin said after steaming to victory in the 4.9-kilometre Sport race.

The 5 Peaks series, which encourages runners to “get off the road” and onto trails in a fun, recreational race environment, typically offers Sport and Enduro distances to tempt a range of participants, plus a one-kilometre Children’s Challenge to deliver fun for whole families. In Whistler, the Sport course was 4.9 km and the Enduro racers ran 10.6 km.

The B.C. Coastal branch of the national 5 Peaks series made its annual stop in the alpine setting atop Whistler Mountain on a Saturday that was expected to involve thunder and lightning, but instead delivered blue skies and sunshine to offset the boundless alpine views.

Ervin was the first runner to cross the finish line, in its scenic setting next to the top of the Big Red Express, with a course-record time of 27 minutes, 17 seconds. His broken arms, sustained in a ride on Mount Seymour during his first time out on a new bike, became a worry of the past as he returned to the 5 Peaks series for the first time this season, and enjoyed the Whistler course for his fourth or fifth time.

“I love it… Look at the views – it can’t get any better than this, it’s so gorgeous,” Ervin said.

As it was for many of the approximately 450 athletes who ran around the loop course set at the top of Whistler Mountain, the race was a family affair for Ervin. His wife completed the Enduro distance, and his son ran in the Children’s Challenge.

“People tend to make it part of their summer vacation as well,” said Keri Cawthorne, the 5 Peaks B.C. race director. She said the series organizers continue to be pleased with the beauty and quality of the Whistler venue, and the rave reviews they get from the runners.

“For most, this one is the favourite… It just kind of adds a whole new element, coming up and doing a race in the altitude,” Cawthorne said.

The other events in the B.C. Coastal series run at Golden Ears, Simon Fraser University, Mount Seymour and Buntzen Lake. The alpine environment at 6,000 feet on Whistler Mountain, including the high-altitude atmosphere and the frequently steep terrain rife with rocks, posed challenges for some.

“I was definitely nervous about the altitude and how it would affect me. It definitely did, I guess – I was told to take it a little slower than I normally would, so maybe that helped out,” said Vancouver resident Jeanie Zabukovec, the fastest woman in the Sport race with a time of 32:16.

A 5 Peaks rookie this season and someone who describes herself as “definitely not a racer,” Zabukovec said the trail running aspect is a key part of the appeal of the series. She said the Whistler course was “pretty technical, probably the most technical out of all of the 5 Peaks we’ve done so far, just because of all the loose rock.”

Whistler’s Sylvie Paré, a first-time 5 Peaks runner who finished sixth in her age category in the Sport race with a time of 41:34, said the alpine course was “awesome” but the uphill sections and altitude were a challenge.

“I didn’t expect anything, but it was harder than I thought… the uphill, the rocks – it’s awesome, but I didn’t even look at the view. You’re looking down! But it was good,” Paré laughed. Her speedy kids also raced in the Children’s Challenge.

Victoria’s Kristopher Swanson, a member of the victorious Canadian team at the 2010 North American Central American and Caribbean Mountain Running Championships, is abundantly familiar with alpine running. But the Enduro race winner still found a lot to enjoy in his 53:29 on the Whistler course.

“The course was fun. I think everyone’s going to say it was fun, but it was a little more technical than I had envisioned, in a good way. The more technical it is, the funner it is, and the faster the race goes by,” Swanson said.

Local runners posted plenty of speedy times on their home course. In the Enduro race, Whistler’s Kevin Hodder and Chris Kennedy charged into 10th and 11th overall, respectively, while claiming second and sixth place in their respective categories.

Arlene Schieven sped to victory in the Female Enduro 40 to 49 division, posting a time of 1:21:29. Whistler’s Alexis Thind, Tara Wight and Walter Wallgram achieved third-place finishes in their respective categories, and Sarah Olner finished fourth in the Female 20 to 29 age group with a time of 1:20:37.

Charging through the Sport course, Whistler’s Mike Conway finished third overall and second in his age group with a time of 29:22, while Pemberton’s Dalton Pehota ripped to 15th overall with a time of 34:09 while winning his Male Sport 10 to 14 age group.

Whistler’s Sarah Prunier finished fourth in the Female Sport 20 to 29 division, and Tracy Jackson finished sixth in the Female Sport 40 to 49 category.

Cole Schieven was the fastest sprite in the Children’s Challenge. For full results, check the 5 Peaks site at 5peaks.com.