3rd annual POCO TRAIL RELAY - Sunday, Sept 6, 2026
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Each runner on your team must register and pay their registration fee.
Click here to register: 2026 — Poco Trail Relay (25.3km)
ALERT!! Leg #2 has a detour as the Sheep Paddock trail will be closed on Sept 6
Start line: Hyde Creek Rec Centre on the Traboulay Poco Trail
Leg 1 – 4.1k – Hyde Creek Rec Centre to Gates Park (next to outdoor gym)
Leg 2 – 6.3k – Gates Park to Castle Park (at the bottom of Castle Crescent) *there is a detour on this leg due to Metro Vancouver closing the Sheep Paddock Trail in Tla-Hut-Um Park. After crossing under the Red Bridge on Pitt River Rd, you will now continue eastward on Pitt River Rd and turn right on Shaughnessy to the PoCo Climb. That is where you will rejoin the original route and continue to Castle Park.
Leg #3 – 6.1k - Castle Park to Tinhouse Brewing (on the dyke)
Leg #4 – 7.4k – Tinhouse to Hyde Creek Rec Centre
Click here to register: 2026 — Poco Trail Relay (25.3km)
ALERT!! Leg #2 has a detour as the Sheep Paddock trail will be closed on Sept 6
Start line: Hyde Creek Rec Centre on the Traboulay Poco Trail
Leg 1 – 4.1k – Hyde Creek Rec Centre to Gates Park (next to outdoor gym)
Leg 2 – 6.3k – Gates Park to Castle Park (at the bottom of Castle Crescent) *there is a detour on this leg due to Metro Vancouver closing the Sheep Paddock Trail in Tla-Hut-Um Park. After crossing under the Red Bridge on Pitt River Rd, you will now continue eastward on Pitt River Rd and turn right on Shaughnessy to the PoCo Climb. That is where you will rejoin the original route and continue to Castle Park.
Leg #3 – 6.1k - Castle Park to Tinhouse Brewing (on the dyke)
Leg #4 – 7.4k – Tinhouse to Hyde Creek Rec Centre
Here’s a structure breakdown: Each runner must register for this event.
- 4 runner team – each runner chooses to run 1 leg on the course.
- 3 runner team – 2 runners choose 1 leg each, while 1 runner chooses to run 2 legs on the course.
- 2 runner team – each runner chooses how they wish to divide the legs up on the course.
- Solo runner – runs the whole thing
Race Day logistics:
- Each team is responsible for their own transportation. Travel as a team while cheering on your runner. On course support is encouraged.
- Each runner must register for this event.
- If you have registered a child under 18 yrs old, parents can run or bike with them. Please ensure that your child knows the route. You are encouraged to run/ride the route with your child beforehand so that they are familiar with where they are going.
- Teams report to Hyde Creek Rec Centre for the opening ceremonies at 8:15am. #1 runners will join the corral at the start line, while their team mates cheer them on.
- Once the race begins at 8:30am, the other team runners will make their way by vehicle to exchange point #1 at Gates Park. If this is an exchange point for your team, the #2 runner will then get ready for the tag and begin their leg #2 run. If your #1 runner is continuing to exchange point #2, give them some encouragement!!
- If your #1 runner just finished, gather them and your team then head to exchange point #2 at Castle Park.
- Once the exchange point #2 tag has been made, gather your team and head to exchange point #3 on the Poco Trail at Tinhouse Brewing for your final exchange.
- After the exchange, make your way back to the start/finish line at Hyde Creek Rec Centre and enjoy the amenities at the Runner’s Village.
THE RUNNERS’ VILLAGE: (Finish line area)
- The final runner will receive the finisher medals for the whole team.
- Prizes will be given out for “Funniest Team Name” and “Best Costume”.
- Come vibe to some awesome music and the exhilaration of watching teams run through the finish line. It’s going to be electric.
- 1st place medals will be awarded to teams in the following team categories: solo-runner, 2-person team, 3-person team, and 4-person team. 1st place medals will be presented as soon as 1st place finishers have crossed the finish line in all categories.
- Keep your race bib on as you will need it to access the products in the Village.
- Don't forget to thank a sponsor, a volunteer, or Bob (LOL). We love good vibes all around.
Detailed description and photos of each leg:
Leg 1: Hyde Creek Rec Centre to Gates Park
Head west up the Poco Trail (photo 1) and turn left at the hatchery (2). Cross Coast Meridian (3) heading west on Patricia Ave. Volunteers will direct you across, Wellington (4), trail (5), a quick right and left at Oxford (6), and Shaughnessy (7) before turning left at the Blue Bridge (8) and left onto the Coquitlam River trail (9) heading towards Gates Park. Stay on the trail to Gates Park and look for the exchange point tent next to the outdoor gym (10). Click this link for a map of leg 1: Leg 1 - PCTR - 4.1k
Leg 1: Hyde Creek Rec Centre to Gates Park
Head west up the Poco Trail (photo 1) and turn left at the hatchery (2). Cross Coast Meridian (3) heading west on Patricia Ave. Volunteers will direct you across, Wellington (4), trail (5), a quick right and left at Oxford (6), and Shaughnessy (7) before turning left at the Blue Bridge (8) and left onto the Coquitlam River trail (9) heading towards Gates Park. Stay on the trail to Gates Park and look for the exchange point tent next to the outdoor gym (10). Click this link for a map of leg 1: Leg 1 - PCTR - 4.1k
Leg 2: Gates Park to Castle Park (ALERT!! Detour on this leg!!)
The start of this route is unchanged. Continue around Gates Park and exit at Pitt River Rd (photo 1). Use the sidewalk (1) and veer right to go under the Red Bridge at Pitt River Rd (2). This is where the route changes. Continue straight on the sidewalk along Pitt River Rd heading east to Shaughnessy. Turn right on Shaughnessy and continue heading south. At the crosswalk at Stafford Ave., a flagger will assist you with a safe crossing while you continue up Shaughnessy to the PoCo Climb (3). This is the end of the detour and back to the original route. Power up the Poco Climb (4) and over to the other side (hyperlapse video) and turn right on Western Ave. A flagger will direct you to cross the street at Colonial (5) and then again at Citadel Dr to exchange point #2 at the bottom of Colonial at Castle Park (6). Due to the detour, this leg is now 6.3k. Click this link for a map of leg 2: 3.9 mi Running Route
The start of this route is unchanged. Continue around Gates Park and exit at Pitt River Rd (photo 1). Use the sidewalk (1) and veer right to go under the Red Bridge at Pitt River Rd (2). This is where the route changes. Continue straight on the sidewalk along Pitt River Rd heading east to Shaughnessy. Turn right on Shaughnessy and continue heading south. At the crosswalk at Stafford Ave., a flagger will assist you with a safe crossing while you continue up Shaughnessy to the PoCo Climb (3). This is the end of the detour and back to the original route. Power up the Poco Climb (4) and over to the other side (hyperlapse video) and turn right on Western Ave. A flagger will direct you to cross the street at Colonial (5) and then again at Citadel Dr to exchange point #2 at the bottom of Colonial at Castle Park (6). Due to the detour, this leg is now 6.3k. Click this link for a map of leg 2: 3.9 mi Running Route
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Leg #3: Castle Park to Tinhouse Brewing
As you run through the Castle Park (1), veer left (2) at the 4-way trail intersection. Take the pedestrian footbridge (3) over the Mary Hill Bypass and descend the switchbacks (4). Continue along the path (5) to get to Argue Str (6). Turn left and continue on the trail (7), past the Gillnetter (8), and back onto the dyke (9) all the way (10) to the end of Kebet Way (11). Turn left off the dyke (12) and a couple quick right turns (13) will have you next to the Mary Hill Bypass to get you under the CP rail bridge (14). Continue on the path while winding your way around Holland, Perkins (15), Kingsway and back onto the dyke (16). (hyperlapse video 1). Head under the Pitt River Bridge, veer right at the "Y" and the path winds around as you arrive at exchange point #3 at Tinhouse Brewing (Hyperlapse video 2). Click this link for a map of leg 3: Leg #3 - PCTR - 6.1k
As you run through the Castle Park (1), veer left (2) at the 4-way trail intersection. Take the pedestrian footbridge (3) over the Mary Hill Bypass and descend the switchbacks (4). Continue along the path (5) to get to Argue Str (6). Turn left and continue on the trail (7), past the Gillnetter (8), and back onto the dyke (9) all the way (10) to the end of Kebet Way (11). Turn left off the dyke (12) and a couple quick right turns (13) will have you next to the Mary Hill Bypass to get you under the CP rail bridge (14). Continue on the path while winding your way around Holland, Perkins (15), Kingsway and back onto the dyke (16). (hyperlapse video 1). Head under the Pitt River Bridge, veer right at the "Y" and the path winds around as you arrive at exchange point #3 at Tinhouse Brewing (Hyperlapse video 2). Click this link for a map of leg 3: Leg #3 - PCTR - 6.1k
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Leg #4: Tinhouse Brewing to Hyde Creek Recreation Centre
Tinhouse Brewing (1) will not be open yet, so stay focused. Heading north on the dyke, enjoy the view (2) as it turns left at the DeBoville Slough. Continue past the Pitt River marina (3) and cross the street at Cedar/Victoria (4). Stay on the path and turn left on the trail at Huber Dr. (5) Cross the footbridge (6) and turn right (7). At that point, you are 1.3k from the finish line at Hyde Creek Rec Centre. Click this link for a map of leg 4: Leg #4 - PCTR - 7.4k
Tinhouse Brewing (1) will not be open yet, so stay focused. Heading north on the dyke, enjoy the view (2) as it turns left at the DeBoville Slough. Continue past the Pitt River marina (3) and cross the street at Cedar/Victoria (4). Stay on the path and turn left on the trail at Huber Dr. (5) Cross the footbridge (6) and turn right (7). At that point, you are 1.3k from the finish line at Hyde Creek Rec Centre. Click this link for a map of leg 4: Leg #4 - PCTR - 7.4k
Important Race Information:
Package Pick up: Thursday Sept 3rd, 4-8pm at Tinhouse Brewing: 550 Sherling Pl #2140, Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 0J6
Transportation plan: Each team requires a plan on how they will get their runners to the start of a leg and get picked up at the end of their leg. Here are the exchange points for each leg:
Start/finish line: Hyde Creek Rec Centre, 1379 Laurier Ave, Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 2B9
#1 Exchange point: Gates Park (tennis court parking lot off Wilson Ave/Reeves Str) go to the northwest corner of the parking lot and walk up onto the trail.
#2 Exchange point: Castle Park: down on the corner of Castle Cresent and Castle Crescent, park on the street.
#3 Exchange point: Tinhouse Brewing. #2140 - 550 Sherling Place, Port Coquitlam, park anywhere in the complex and walk out onto the dyke in front of Tinhouse Brewing.
#4 finish line: Hyde Creek Rec Centre
Solo Runner Support: there will be water and electrolyte drinks (Pro H2O by PVL) at each exchange point. Carry additional fluids if you need to, especially on the final leg. Support-vehicle/cheerleaders are encouraged. Support cyclists are also encouraged on legs 2-4. Leg 1 will have too many runners in close proximity and the trail along the river is too busy and too tight. Only the lead and sweeper cyclists allowed in the race on Leg 1.
Last minute package pick-up: We prefer to have teams pick up their packages on Thursday Sept 3rd, but if you need a last-minute package pick-up, come to the POCO RUN CLUB tent between 7-7:30am on Sunday Sept 6.
Race Timelines:
8am - Hyde Creek Rec Centre opens for washroom use. Runner's Village opens for gathering. Trail available for warm ups.
8:15am - Opening remarks.
8:20am - leg 1 runners marshal into start area.
8:25am - Warmups
8:30am - race begins.
8:30am - teams make their way to Gates Park as some runners will arrive in 15 minutes. If this isn’t an exchange point for your team, go cheer them on anyways.
10:05am - finish line prepares for its first finisher
Medals: The final runner on each team will collect finisher medals for their entire team. 1st place finishers in each category (solo, 2-person, 3-person, and 4-person teams) will receive their 1st place medals once we have a winner in each category.
Race Values: As competitive as runners can be, this race is more about team building, experiencing our amazing trail system and the PoCo Climb, supporting one another, and having fun. Let’s be each other’s greatest cheerleaders and please thank the more than 30 volunteers along the route.
Runners’s Village (AKA Start/Finish Area):
Come visit our sponsors at the end of the race.
Tinhouse Brewing After Party: Collect your drink ticket at package pick up and come celebrate after the race at Tinhouse Brewing. Doors open at 12pm. Hope to see you there throughout the afternoon.
Package Pick up: Thursday Sept 3rd, 4-8pm at Tinhouse Brewing: 550 Sherling Pl #2140, Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 0J6
Transportation plan: Each team requires a plan on how they will get their runners to the start of a leg and get picked up at the end of their leg. Here are the exchange points for each leg:
Start/finish line: Hyde Creek Rec Centre, 1379 Laurier Ave, Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 2B9
#1 Exchange point: Gates Park (tennis court parking lot off Wilson Ave/Reeves Str) go to the northwest corner of the parking lot and walk up onto the trail.
#2 Exchange point: Castle Park: down on the corner of Castle Cresent and Castle Crescent, park on the street.
#3 Exchange point: Tinhouse Brewing. #2140 - 550 Sherling Place, Port Coquitlam, park anywhere in the complex and walk out onto the dyke in front of Tinhouse Brewing.
#4 finish line: Hyde Creek Rec Centre
Solo Runner Support: there will be water and electrolyte drinks (Pro H2O by PVL) at each exchange point. Carry additional fluids if you need to, especially on the final leg. Support-vehicle/cheerleaders are encouraged. Support cyclists are also encouraged on legs 2-4. Leg 1 will have too many runners in close proximity and the trail along the river is too busy and too tight. Only the lead and sweeper cyclists allowed in the race on Leg 1.
Last minute package pick-up: We prefer to have teams pick up their packages on Thursday Sept 3rd, but if you need a last-minute package pick-up, come to the POCO RUN CLUB tent between 7-7:30am on Sunday Sept 6.
Race Timelines:
8am - Hyde Creek Rec Centre opens for washroom use. Runner's Village opens for gathering. Trail available for warm ups.
8:15am - Opening remarks.
8:20am - leg 1 runners marshal into start area.
8:25am - Warmups
8:30am - race begins.
8:30am - teams make their way to Gates Park as some runners will arrive in 15 minutes. If this isn’t an exchange point for your team, go cheer them on anyways.
10:05am - finish line prepares for its first finisher
Medals: The final runner on each team will collect finisher medals for their entire team. 1st place finishers in each category (solo, 2-person, 3-person, and 4-person teams) will receive their 1st place medals once we have a winner in each category.
Race Values: As competitive as runners can be, this race is more about team building, experiencing our amazing trail system and the PoCo Climb, supporting one another, and having fun. Let’s be each other’s greatest cheerleaders and please thank the more than 30 volunteers along the route.
Runners’s Village (AKA Start/Finish Area):
Come visit our sponsors at the end of the race.
Tinhouse Brewing After Party: Collect your drink ticket at package pick up and come celebrate after the race at Tinhouse Brewing. Doors open at 12pm. Hope to see you there throughout the afternoon.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
Presenting Sponsor: Gold Sponsor:
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Contributing Sponsors:
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The 2nd Poco Trail Relay Aug 31, 2025
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
2025 2nd Annual Poco Trail Relay Race Results:
2025 POCO TRAIL RELAY PHOTOS: 2025 PoCo Relay | Flickr
In-Kind Sponsors:
1st Poco Trail Relay - Sept 8, 2024 - Results
2024 Detailed directions of each leg:
Leg 1: From the start line, right down the Poco Trail. At 1.4km you will reach Cedar Dr. Turn left onto the silver footbridge (photo #1 below) and carry on the path. At the corner of Cedar and Victoria(photo #2 below), you'll make a right and a quick left while a flagger stops traffic for your safe passage. Carry onto the dyke as it takes you along the DeBouville Slough and the Pitt River. At the 7km marker, you will see the exchange point directly in front of you. High 5 your team mate and wish them luck!
Leg 1: From the start line, right down the Poco Trail. At 1.4km you will reach Cedar Dr. Turn left onto the silver footbridge (photo #1 below) and carry on the path. At the corner of Cedar and Victoria(photo #2 below), you'll make a right and a quick left while a flagger stops traffic for your safe passage. Carry onto the dyke as it takes you along the DeBouville Slough and the Pitt River. At the 7km marker, you will see the exchange point directly in front of you. High 5 your team mate and wish them luck!
Leg 2:
Carry on the Poco Trail as it winds and bends under the Pitt River bridge. (Time-lapse video below) You will then leave the dyke and carry on down the road. Turn right on Perkins (photo 1 below) and follow the path as it takes you left and left (photo 2 below) under the CP rail bridge. Take the 2nd path on the left at the bus stop (photo 3 below). Follow the path (photo 4 below) and turn left onto Kinsgway (photo 5 below). At the end of Kingsway, head back up onto the dyke and carry on along the Pitt River. You will arrive to a paved road, stay to the left as you pass the Gillnetter Pub and Pitt River Rd, just keep going straight. You will then come up to Argue Str. Continue straight ahead and stay on the small path on the left of the street. As you near the end of Argue Str., you will see the #2 exchange point (photo below).
Carry on the Poco Trail as it winds and bends under the Pitt River bridge. (Time-lapse video below) You will then leave the dyke and carry on down the road. Turn right on Perkins (photo 1 below) and follow the path as it takes you left and left (photo 2 below) under the CP rail bridge. Take the 2nd path on the left at the bus stop (photo 3 below). Follow the path (photo 4 below) and turn left onto Kinsgway (photo 5 below). At the end of Kingsway, head back up onto the dyke and carry on along the Pitt River. You will arrive to a paved road, stay to the left as you pass the Gillnetter Pub and Pitt River Rd, just keep going straight. You will then come up to Argue Str. Continue straight ahead and stay on the small path on the left of the street. As you near the end of Argue Str., you will see the #2 exchange point (photo below).
Leg 3: EXPECT TO WAIT A BIT AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT MARY HILL BYPASS!!
An attendant will be stationed at the Mary Hill Bypass to push the button when they see you leave the exchange point. Be patient with our attendant, they're trying their best to get you across the Bypass as fast as they can. DO NOT RUN ACROSS ON A RED LIGHT!! WAIT FOR A GREEN LIGHT AND THE "WALK" SIGN TO LIGHT UP!! After crossing the Mary Hill Bypass, a small path along Shaughnessy (photo 1 below) will lead you to a sharp left into Tla-Hut-Um Park (formerly known as Colony Farms). Follow along as the path meanders right and soon you'll see a bridge on your left(photo 2 below). Turn left onto the bridge (photo 3 below) and turn right after the bridge. In 1.2km after the bridge, there is a minor fork in the path. Stay right towards the solar panels (photo 4 below) and carry on to Pitt River Rd (photo 5 below). Stay on the sidewalk and cross OVER the Coquitlam River. Once over the river, take a hairpin turn onto the path (photo 6 below) that takes you to the other side of Pitt River Rd (time lapse video below). Once past the parking lot, stay left onto the paved trail and you will soon be at your destination in Gates Park.
Leg 4: expect to wait briefly at Coast Meridian
From the south side of Gates Park, head west and make your way around the perimeter of Gates Park. Stay on the paved path and continue under the CP rail bridge, then the Lougheed Hwy bridge, then carry on the path until you get to the "Blue Bridge" (photo 1 below). Turn right up the path. A flagger will meet you and stop traffic for your passage onto Patricia (photo 2 below). Continue on Patricia and through Oxford while making a slight jog to the right and left (photo 3 below) to stay on Patricia. Continue on Patricia and onto a small path through a park (photo 4 below) and continue on Patricia crossing Wellington. As you get close to Coast Meridian, an attendant will push the traffic light button to reduce any wait time. Be patient and thank the attendant. Cross Coast Meridian, continue straight onto the gravel path, and turn right as you are now about 300m to the finish line where the cheering crowds await your arrival. Congrats, your team has now completed the 24.3km Poco Trail Relay.
From the south side of Gates Park, head west and make your way around the perimeter of Gates Park. Stay on the paved path and continue under the CP rail bridge, then the Lougheed Hwy bridge, then carry on the path until you get to the "Blue Bridge" (photo 1 below). Turn right up the path. A flagger will meet you and stop traffic for your passage onto Patricia (photo 2 below). Continue on Patricia and through Oxford while making a slight jog to the right and left (photo 3 below) to stay on Patricia. Continue on Patricia and onto a small path through a park (photo 4 below) and continue on Patricia crossing Wellington. As you get close to Coast Meridian, an attendant will push the traffic light button to reduce any wait time. Be patient and thank the attendant. Cross Coast Meridian, continue straight onto the gravel path, and turn right as you are now about 300m to the finish line where the cheering crowds await your arrival. Congrats, your team has now completed the 24.3km Poco Trail Relay.
SPONSORS: THANK YOU!!
Gold Sponsor:
Silver Sponsors:
Bronze Sponsors:
