THE BBS AND NICKEL DISTRICT CONSERVATION AREA INVITE YOU TO
Cantrell at the 2025 Barkley Marathons, above, and the 2025 Big’s Backyard Ultra, left
An Evening with
Lazarus Lake
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In honour of Vince Perdue
Join us for an intimate evening with Gary Cantrell (also known as Lazarus Lake) at Collège Boréal on January 21, 2026
Featuring Laz as guest speaker, a lively question and answer session, and the opportunity to meet Laz one-on-one.
This event will recognize and honour Northern Ontario running legend Vince Perdue, who is credited with establishing the modern running community in Sudbury and, through numerous events, has generated significant funds for local charities.
The evening’s goal is to raise funds to rename a prominent peak on the Lake Laurentian 10K loop as “Perdue Peak.”
Who Is Vince Perdue?
Vince began running in 1979, but his leadership in the local running scene took off in 1995, when he launched a lunchtime running club from the Cambrian Fitness Centre. This club became the predecessor of the Sudbury Rocks!!! Running Club.
Starting with just 20 runners, the club has grown to include hundreds of members over the years and remains active and vibrant today. It also led Vince to co-found the Sudbury Rocks!!! Marathon, which now welcomes more than 2,000 participants annually and has raised over one million dollars for local charities.
In addition, Vince has been deeply involved with many other local events, including the July 1 Firecracker 5K, the Salvation Army Santa Shuffle, the Sudbury Fitness Challenge series, the CIBC Run for the Cure, Sudbury’s own Barkley Marathon, and the BB Backyard Ultra.
Vince is renowned for having run a marathon in every Canadian province and territory and recently surpassed 100,000 miles of lifetime running.
Who Is Lazarus Lake?
Lazarus Lake (real name Gary Cantrell) is a legendary endurance race designer and director, best known for founding some of the world’s most infamous ultramarathons, including the Barkley Marathons, Big’s Backyard Ultra, Strolling Jim 40 Mile Run, the Last Annual Heart of the South (HOTS), and the Vol State 500K—all known for their extreme challenges.
Once a fringe figure known only within the ultrarunning world, Cantrell gained international recognition after the 2014 documentary The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young. He has since developed a global following as Backyard Ultras spread across the world—including Sudbury’s own BB Backyard Ultra, now the largest Backyard Ultra in Canada.
Laz’s visit to Sudbury underscores how deeply Vince’s story has resonated with an icon of the international running community and further establishes Sudbury as a growing hub for endurance running in Canada.
The Lake Laurentian 10K loop is one of Greater Sudbury’s most beloved hiking and running trails. Along this route lies a stunning 360º lookout that will be renamed Perdue Peak.
From the top of this ridge, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the cityscape—a favourite spot for Vince and his late wife, Lise Perdue, who was his soulmate and running partner.
The Nickel District Conservation Foundation will install signage and a commemorative plaque in honour of Vince and Lise, supported by donations that will ensure the long-term maintenance of the trail and the memorial.
