Test of Metal modifies registration

Organizers of the North Shore Credit Union Test of Metal announced this week changes to the registration process for next year's race. 'We recognized the need to tweak our registration process, so this year we're going to try something different with the hope that it will work a little better," said race director Cliff Miller. These changes include overselling the event by 200 entrants and eliminating the waiting list to allow more racers to know with certainty they are registered for the race by January 1, 2008. Another change is a "locals only" registration period from December 1 - 5. Two hundred spots will be open to local racers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration for those living from Furry Creek to D'arcy who can show proof of residency with a BC Driver's license or ID card as well as a secondary piece of identification will open at 6:00 pm on Saturday, December 1 and close on Wednesday, December 5 at midnight. The deadline for "locals only" delivery of paperwork is 4:00 pm on Wednesday, December 12 to Connections at 37710 2nd Avenue, Squamish, and must be made in person or sent by fax (604-892-3380). Miller said that one of the organizers' objectives for implementing this change is to ensure local participation.

"We have hundreds of local volunteers and thousands of local spectators, many of whom are out there to cheer on their friends and neighbours," he said. As in past years, the general registration starts at 6 pm on January 1 and is capped at 800 entries.

"It may seem that we're increasing the number of participants," said Miller, "but our data shows that approximately 20 percent of those who register will not ride. In the past, we've filled those spots through the waiting list, but feedback from riders indicates that they would like to know sooner rather than later that they're in the race so that they can begin their training."

Pro-Elite racers will still be able to register up to the day of the race. Cash prizes for the top five men and women will return for 2008 and the winner of each category will receive a free entry for 2009.