About
The 9th Annual Giants Head Grind Race will take place in Summerland on Saturday, May 21st, 2022.
Like many things at the moment this years event may be a bit different that in past years but we are committed to making sure it is a great day and a fun family event supporting a very important cause.
The Giants Head Grind route starts at Peach Orchard Park on the shore of Okanagan Lake, and race 6.6+ kilometers from ‘beach-to-peak’ with an elevation gain of 500 meters, finishing at the top of Giants Head Mountain. We may be a little different this year but we will do our very best to bring back the Grind that so many have come to know and love,
With the assistance of Race Roster, you will be able to log your times, and our Awards ceremony will take place the afternoon of May 21st, 2022 during the BBQ – once again catered by Brodo Kitchen.
Watch for more Registration Announcements coming soon! Follow us on Facebook for updates.
Race History
The race is spearheaded and managed by Ellen and Tom Matthews together with The Rotary Club of Summerland, and a very committed group of local Summerland residents and sponsors. The goal is to showcase the beautiful Giant’s Head Mountain and the community of Summerland, while raising funds for colon cancer detection, diagnostics and research. Proceeds of the race also provide funding for the upkeep and improvement of the trail system in Giant’s Head Park with the support of the City of Summerland.
In 2013, Rotarian Roch Fortin brought the idea of organizing a race up Summerland’s Giants Head Mountain to Ellen and Tom Matthews, who had lost their son Christopher Walker to colon cancer that same year. The couple jumped on the opportunity as a means of keeping their son’s memory alive. By encouraging physical outdoor activity and promoting health and wellness, Ellen and Tom knew they would be honoring the memory of Chris in a way that would have made him proud.
The Rotary Club of Summerland is always looking for new ways to support the community of Summerland in the South Okanagan. Part of Rotary’s long-term vision for Giant’s Head Park is to improve the quality and accessibility of the trails for everyone to enjoy, and to assist in ensuring the sustainability of those trails by upgrading signage and providing an educational component to the trail.
Putting a Face on Cancer
It is hard to believe that our desire to keep the memory of our son Christopher Walker alive, by bringing awareness to early detection and prevention of Colon Cancer and raising funds for the Giants Head Mountain Trails, has become so much more. Since 2014, we have brought together a growing community of participants, volunteers, and local residents for a weekend-long event full of amazing memories and a hope for a future that is colon cancer-free.
We managed to have a virtual race last year but are so excited to once again welcome everyone back to do this event live and in person.
Whether you have joined us each year or are considering participating in your first race, we hope to see in Summerland on May 21st, 2022, after what has been far too long apart!