“Starting January 1st for $20, you can join the Runnin Rich Vert Challenge, and we're going to track your vertical gain throughout the year… And it had to be a vert challenge because Richard was all about the vert.”

Tommy Mlazgar is a passionate trail runner, a burgeoning race director, and a grieving friend. We touched on all 3 of these topics in our interview and I’m very grateful for Tommy to come on and share. The race directing is about Run Saysutshun, a race on Saysutshun island, in Nanaimo, BC, that features many distance and time options, including up to 24 hours. His passion for getting others on the trails and spending time out there himself is also prevalent in the passing of his best friend Richard Booth. The two spent many hours trail running together and when Richard passed suddenly in December, Tommy, with the help of a few others, organized the Runnin Rich Vert Challenge to honour and help raise funds for Richards’s family. The way people have responded has been heartwarming for Mlazgar.

“Community is, there's no other community like it. The trail running community, especially is just, it's wild. You form these bonds with people that, you can only really form through sport, I think, and that's the power of sport. And, I love it. Huge fan.”

I’m a huge fan too, especially of what Tommy is up to. Check out more about Run Saysutshun and/or sign up for Runnin Rich Vert Challenge. Let us know where you’re favourite spots for vert are and consider checking out Saysutshun this June for the race. Maybe you can go further than you ever have!

“I'm excited to see some people just push and see how far they can go. I can't remember the exact number we had last year but I want to say we had, close to half a dozen people, probably more, that ran further than they ever had before.”

Trail Running Film Festival tickets now available!

Thursday, April 4, 2024. The Rio Theatre. Doors at 6, show at 7.

Bring your noisemakers!

I’m so excited to host all of you amazing trail runners once again here in Vancouver, BC! The Rio Theatre is booked for Thursday, April 4, 2024, with the doors opening at 6 and the show starting at 7. We’re gonna do it bigger and better than last year and give this thing a festival vibe.

We have amazing sponsors lined up once again, we’ll have some great giveaways, another awesome guest, and a secret show opener that you’ll want to make noise for. Bring your cowbells, tambourines, or whatever you have to get loud, and let’s rock the Rio together!

Tickets are on sale now for $30.

Our local sponsors:

5 Peaks

Coast Mountain Trail Running Conquer the Vedder and Race to be Named

Distance Runwear

Ridgeline Athletics

Peaks N Valleys

Beast of Big Creek

Heads or Trails

Naak

We’re bringing the films to Alberta

A big step for us as we’re bringing the film festival to Edmonton, Calgary, and Canmore! I’m incredibly excited to be able to hang out with more of you and share the film festival vibes. We’re still finalizing contracts with theatres, but our dates will be:

Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Edmonton (Ziedler Hall)

Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Calgary (Globe Cinema)

Thursday, June 6, 2024, Canmore (artsPlace)

Click on the links above for the FB event pages to keep up to date. Keep an eye peeled for official announcements as we will let you know the moment these become official and tickets are listed for sale. I’m so pumped to hang out with you all!

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Music by Paolo Argentino from Pixabay

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