It’s really hard…impossible, really…to put on a quality event for next to nothing. We couldn’t do it without the help of the qathet community. If you’re joining us from out of town or you’re a local, please recognise the following businesses and people:
Volunteers
You are many. Rain or shine, you come out on Shuffle day to help out. You attend planning meetings. You help organize. Hug a volunteer!
Cornerstone Partners
The elite tier of leadership donors whose $500+ contribution provides the foundation for our event’s ongoing success:
Tla’amin Nation
We are grateful to the Tla’amin Nation for allowing us to share their traditional lands and to aasheelth (Andy George) for coming out to the start to welcome participants.
Raymond James
Rene Babin is the manager of the Raymond James office in Powell River. For years, Rene has managed aid stations during the Shuffle, helped build huts on the Sunshine Coast Trail, and otherwise helped to make the area attractive to fellow lovers of the outdoors. Be sure to thank Rene and his team for the welcome at the Branch 10 aid station at the crest of Marathon Hill.
460 Realty
These folks know Powell River and go out of their way to do things that serve the local community. Agent Dustin Villeneuve, has served on the board of qPAWS (organizers of the Marathon Shuffle) and continues to help maintain the Sunshine Coast Trail. He and Team 460 manage the finish line of the Shuffle. They’re the ones who set up the tents, yell encouragement as you near the finish, confirm your finish times and offer you a seat if you need to catch your breath. They also manage the Lost and Found, so if you lost a special water bottle while out Shufflin’ they’ll hopefully have it for you at the finish.
When ‘ya gotta go, ‘ya gotta go… and at the start of the Marathon Shuffle when you get the butterflies, ‘ya gotta go NOW! Thanks to Rural Septic Services, you won’t have to go in the great outdoors because they provide three (3) portable toilets at the start and finish of the Marathon Shuffle. Thank you, Bonnie and Dan Robinson for helping out Shuffle participants in their time of need for many years!
In 2026, the Marathon Shuffle is grateful to receive a community impact grant from qathet’s only credit union. A special shout-out to FCU’s Jenna Lacey and Caitlin Bryant (a regular at the Saturday morning training events) for your help!
A big shout-out to Sarah at Point Group Hospitality (Coastal Cookery and Costa del Sol restaurants) for supporting our volunteers in 2026.
Community Partners
The grassroots local supporters who contribute up to $500 in funding or essential goods and services:
Shingle Mill Pub and Bistro
The Shingle Mill has been a close partner of the Shuffle since 1993. The Shingle Mill allows the event to use their two (2) upper parking lots for the finish line and parking. Park for free and get a bus to the start of the Shuffle. The Shingle Mill also offers every every participant and volunteers a drink and a convenient place for you to celebrate after the Shuffle. If you’re lucky, Tricia (who has been a key supporter of the event every year since 1993) will welcome you!
The Brick
Maintaining a strong sense of community is important to the folks at the Brick. Manager Derek Gibson pointed this out to Shuffle Manager Ean Jackson during the 2024 Marathon Shuffle. Had the heat and the long climb up to Scout Mountain got to Derek’s head? Apparently, it did, as the Brick has stepped up to provide a bus and some help at the finish line!
PRSAR (Powell River Search and Rescue)
This group of local volunteers is there for us if we need them. PRSAR members dedicate their time to help people when playing outdoors turns into misadventure. Representatives of PRSAR will be available to help during the Shuffle. Note: PRSAR is notified by the 911 service. If there’s a serious medical issue during the Shuffle (or anytime) please call 911.
The Dirt Monkeys
Yes, dirt monkeys thrive in the qathet region! Dirt Monkeys are the people who maintain the Sunshine Coast Trail. Starting just after New Year’s Day, they’re out most Tuesdays and Thursdays “Shuffle-izing” the Marathon Shuffle course. They clear fallen trees, drain mudholes, cut back the jungle and otherwise make sure the trail is in great shape for the Marathon Shuffle. Special kudos to Scott Glaspey, Monty Drake, Don Krompocker, Jim Stutt and Eagle Walz many of whom have been at it for over 30 years!
Since before the Marathon Shuffle was even an idea, family-operated Aaron had been serving the qathet community with purified water and eco-friendly products for years. Again this year, Aaron will be making sure that thirsty Shufflers will have crystal-clear water at the aid stations. Thank you, Coranne and Trevor Anderson!
Manager Terri Cramb and the team at Anytime Fitness have been enthusiastically managing the aid station at Appleton for years. You’re halfway home when you get there. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes!
Thank you, Chris Rueshmann, for stocking the Marathon Shuffle aid stations with nutritious bananas and oranges.
Frequent Marathon Shuffle finishers, parents to top finishers in the under-18 age group, (including the record holder of the ‘double shuffle’!) and aid station volunteers: a big shout-out to Katie and Joseph McLean for the custom number bibs!
Sharp saws mean clean trails. Thanks for keeping our saws sharp.
Thank you, Ryan Ogden, for helping make sure Shuffle participants were well fed while out on the course.
Best cinnamon buns ever! A big shout out to Nancy’s Bakery near the start of the Shuffle in Lund, BC for the carbo boost at the finish line.
A big Thank You!” to Robyn and Al Penner and the folks at West Wind Electrical for your help with getting participants to the start line in 2026.
Since 2016, the fine folks at Sunshine Coast Shuttle have been helping hikers, runners and mountain bikers get to and from their favorite trails in the qathet region (upper Sunshine Coast.) Manager of the Sunshine Coast Shuttle, Jesse Newman, has volunteered to help with the Shuffle since 2016. Note: Jesse is also the President of qPAWS, the organization that built and maintains the Sunshine Coast Trail and hut system.
Would you like to see your name and the name of your business here? Contact us to discuss how to make it happen!