Sunday, May 18th, 2025
The Hillbilly Hustle was the pandemic brainchild of Vancouver Island local, Jason Wright. The original race brought together the Nanaimo trail running community following multitudes of race cancellations. The world went quiet with unease and uncertainty, but the Hillbilly Hustle grounded us with an inkling of normal through a virtual community and common athletic pursuits.
With the help of Jay's friends, the Hillybilly Hustle lives on as an in person race utilizing the extensive trail network of our local mountain, Te'tuxwtun (Mount Benson). 17k and 50k in person races will be available to all those up for the challenge.
50KM COURSE
7AM START
With a start line at Westwood Lake park in Nanaimo, the 50k race will follow some of the most pristine trails Vancouver Island has to offer. The exceptionally well marked race course will lead runners up, around, and over Te'tuxw'tun (Mt.Benson) twice. The Hillbilly Hustle is a mixed terrain mountain race featuring 2800m of elevation gain. Expect to run on a variety of single track trail, double track, service road and open rock bluffs.
There will be 5 aid stations on course at 8k, 19k, 25k, 32k and 39k for runners to top up fluids and refuel throughout the race. Given the remote location of the aid stations there will be no crew access on course with the exception of a hike in option to the Te'tuxw'tun summit. Runners will pass up and over the summit aid station twice, so if your crew is keen to make the arduous trek up from Witchcraft Lake then they can support you from the most scenic viewpoint in Nanaimo. Drop Bags are available at the 32k aid station.
AID STATION CUTOFFS
Aid Station #2 - 4hrs
Aid Station #3 - 6 hrs
Aid Station #4 - 7.5 hrs
Aid Station #5 - 10hrs
PRICING
$145 Early bird pricing until February 1st
$165 starting February 2nd until registration closes on May 15th
17KM COURSE
8AM START
This course is no small feat, boasting close to 1000m of vert in just 17K. Participants will follow the beautiful Nanaimo single track trail from Westwood Lake towards the main Te'tuxw'tun "the Grandmother of all the surrounding mountains" summit trail. After refueling and taking in the view from the summit aid station, runners will make their way back down the extremely technical main trail before hopping back on some well groomed, fast, and flowy single track. The course finishes off on the main Westwood Lake trail into the knee stompin' Hillbilly finish line party. With a generous 8 hour cutoff, the short course should be suitable for both beginner trail runners and sure footed hikers alike.
FINISH CUTOFF
8 hours
PRICING
$65 Early bird pricing until February 1st
$85 starting February 2nd until registration closes on May 15th
