The Bob McIntosh Memorial Trail

Alice Lake

Nov 24

The Bob McIntosh Memorial Trail is smooth and well-packed, although the mellow flow through mature second-growth forest can be dusty after a long dry spell.

The trail is 1.2 kilometres of single-track that is wide enough for two. It is popular with hikers and bikers so be aware of opposing and overtaking traffic.

This trail was completed in 2000 by McIntosh’s many friends, with a goal to honour the champion triathlete who was killed in December 1997 while calming a party at a neighbour’s home.

McIntosh moved to Squamish in 1989 for better access to our formidable trail system and to enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. He competed in two World Triathlon Championships and was once the captain of the Canadian team.

In Squamish, Bob trained with a group of friends on weekly “fat burner” runs and often spoke of one day hosting a local triathlon.

After his untimely death, these friends began the work of fulfilling this dream. The inaugural Squamish Triathlon was held in 1998 with 201 entries and 51 relay teams.

Squamish Titans, who train and compete as swimmers, cyclists and runners, organized and hosted this event for the first 17 years. After a one-year hiatus, the 18th Squamish Triathlon will be held next year, and will be organized and hosted by Run Squamish. Jen Segger of Run Squamish says, “We have some fresh ideas… Our goal is to provide a great day of racing for both locals and visitors while showcasing the great town that we live in.”

The annual Robert W. McIntosh Scholarship is awarded to a Squamish student who demonstrates strong abilities in athletics, academics and citizenship. It has been awarded annually since 1998 and the $1,000 was won this year by Alexandra Wade.

This fund is topped up each year with money raised at the Squamish Triathlon. You can help by participating as a volunteer or donor.

McIntosh’s widow, Katy Hutchison, has been a strong advocate for restorative justice over the past two decades. She has told her story in sessions at many schools and in all media forms.

Her desire to move forward with healing and compassion is the true model for restorative justice. This process focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with the victims and the community. This type of reconciliation has its roots in the traditional healing methods of indigenous people, who repaired community harm by involving families and the village.

This is in stark contrast to our punitive method where the aim is to punish the offender and satisfy legal targets rather than restore lives. Her book, Walking after Midnight, and her riveting TED video provide strong reasons for using restorative justice in repairing the damage to victims and the community. For more information, visit katyhutchisonpresents.com.