sanctioned by the FQA

Brave the lake in winter at day

New for 2024, the SUNNY Traverse, presented by Arc’teryx, is one of the longest events in the CRYO Races. The only one of its kind, the SUNNY Traverse allows those ready for the challenge to run in winter, on the magnificent Lac St-Jean. The SUNNY Traverse adventure begins in the middle of the day, giving athletes more time and clarity to cover the proposed 37 km distance.

Athletes will set off from the Centre Vauvert-sur-le-Lac-Saint-Jean in Dolbeau-Mistassini on a groomed and marked trail, interspersed with refreshment points, which will lead them to a grand finale at the marvellous Chalets et Spa Lac St-Jean site in Chambord. In the middle of lac Saint-Jean, on the endless whiteness. It’s a truly exotic experience. The SUNNY Traverse is designed for athletes who want to get the most out of the CRYO Races experience, but are in less of a hurry, thanks to less restrictive time limits than the STARRY Traverse, which takes place in the evening. In concrete terms, participants have a maximum of 7 hours to complete the Traversee.

No selection criteria are required, but it is strongly recommended to have participated in winter races (Micro-CRYO or similar winter races) or long-distance races beforehand. Running on a frozen lake in the middle of winter represents a major challenge that really shouldn’t be overlooked, and is nothing like a trail or road race in terms of the effort required and the mental strength required.

Each participant is commited to raising $1,000 for the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation, which helps young cancer patients regain their well-being by offering them the chance to take part in a therapeutic adventure expedition. Please note that fundraising is mandatory. Only participants who have completed 100% of their fundraising will be able to set off on February 24.

In all, a maximum of 100 people will have the chance to take on this major challenge next February.

Are you ready to brave the cold and the expanse of the lake?

LOGISTICS

SUMMARY SCHEDULE

10:30 a.m. Departure of the shuttle bus (provided for all athletes from Chambord finish to Vauvert race start).

12:45 p.m. Meeting of athletes at the starting site.

1:00 p.m. Departure of the SUNNY Traverse.

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT

IMPORTANT: THE LIST OF MANDATORY EQUIPMENT IS THE SAME FOR ATHLETES ON THE STARRY TRAVERSE, SUNNY TRAVERSE OR MICRO-CRYO. AS WEATHER CONDITIONS ON LAC ST-JEAN CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY, THIS EQUIPMENT COULD COME IN HANDY AT ANY TIME!

For the start of your event, we strongly recommend that you wear multi-layered clothing that allows you to easily add or remove layers as needed, depending on weather conditions. To increase your visibility to the CRYO race team once you’re on the lake, we recommend that you wear colorful clothing if possible.

In addition to the clothing you’ll be wearing at the start of your race, here’s a list of mandatory equipment to carry with you throughout your race.

Running shoes suitable for cold weather (trail or winter shoes) No road or street running shoes will be accepted.
Lined insulating coat (ideally synthetic).

👍🏼The Thorium hoody jacket

👍🏼The Cerium hoody

👍🏼The Atom hoody + wind jacket

👎🏼 Atom hoody alone (as it does not provide sufficient protection)

IN YOUR RACE BAG, WHICH YOU’LL NEED TO CARRY WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE EVENT, YOU’LL NEED THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF CLOTHING:

• • Second lined insulating coat that you won’t be wearing in the first place. This coat can be made of down since you shouldn’t wear it when doing physical activity;
  • Windproof coat, if not already worn;
  • Spare gloves or mittens;
  • Spare neck warmer or tubular scarf;
  • Spare tuque;
  • Spare socks;
  • Long running pants, which the organizers may require you to wear depending on weather conditions;
• Cell phone with fully charged battery (plan to keep it as warm as possible with hand warmers);
• Survival blanket;
• Foot and hand warmers;
• Eye protection, ski goggles as this is the only option that doesn’t fog up;
• Whistle;
• Reflective strips on your clothing;
• Race rucksack that can hold all your extra gear and allow you to add clothes that you can remove as needed;
• Necessary medication (asthma, EpiPen, etc.);
• Health insurance card;
• Reusable glass (to reduce waste, no glass is available at refueling stations. You are responsible for bringing your own bottles, glasses or any other container of your choice);
• Headlamp with at least 100 lumens maximum charge (bring spare batteries or a second lamp);
• 2 lights (bike light style) set to flashing mode (one on the bag + one on the front).

SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT

• Gaiters ;
• Insulated liquid container ;
• Snowshoes (depending on trail conditions) – (It is possible to leave a pair of snowshoes in the drop bag for Traversée athletes);
• Crampons (depending on trail conditions);
• Energy supplements.

DROP BAG: STARRY Traverse athletes may drop off a clearly marked bag (first name, last name and distance) with a change of clothes and food at registration and bib pick-up. Bags must not exceed a capacity of 20 liters. Please identify your bag clearly. Bags will be available at the 3rd aid station, with 13 km to go.