March 23, 2018
Found in “Activities, Travel and places”
Maybe you’ve got a few road 10Ks or marathons under your belt, and you’re ready to trade sidewalks for switchbacks. Or maybe you’ve been trail running for years and you’re ready to tackle your first ultra.
Whether you’re aiming for a personal best or just want to have a good time, trail races are a fun way to test your speed, skills and mental toughness. While there are hundreds of trail races in Canada, these ones stand out, thanks to their challenging terrain, incredible alpine views, community spirit and world-class competition. Here are our bucket-list trail races, in order of their 2018 dates.
1. Sulphur Springs Trail Race
Ancaster, ON
A local favourite since 1993, the Sulphur Springs Trail Race loops through the forested trails of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area outside Hamilton, ON. The non-profit race offers a wide range of distances, and proceeds support trail conservation and maintenance, as well as free running programs for girls in lower-income communities.
Distances: 10km, 25km, 50km, 50 miles, 100 miles for solo runners; 100-mile relay for teams of up to eight runners
Date: May 25–27, 2018
2. MEC Vancouver Trail Race Three
West Vancouver, BC
Climbing over 2000m, the 55km course at MEC Vancouver Trail Race Three takes runners from sea to sky, racing through lush coastal rainforest to enjoy city views of Vancouver. At the finish line, you’ll find chip-timed results and free massages, coffee and bananas, and the course is accessible by public transit. At $40, it’s an incredibly affordable way to tick an ultra off your bucket list.
Distances: 15km, 55km
Date: June 3, 2018
3. Tour du Lac Brome
Knowlton, QC
Now in its 40th year, the Tour du Lac Brome draws thousands of runners from across the country to compete in a full weekend of road and trail races. Known for its festive and family-friendly atmosphere, the Tour’s courses wind through the countryside of Quebec’s Eastern Townships, just an hour from downtown Montreal. If you want to push your limits, take the Lac Brome Challenge and combine a Saturday trail race with a road race on Sunday.
Distances: 2km, 4.5km, 9km (as well as many road options)
Date: June 15–17, 2018
4. Canadian River Valley Revenge Ultra
Edmonton, AB
“Revenge is a dish best served twice,” claim the organizers of the Canadian River Valley Revenge Ultra, which is why they offer both summer and winter trail races. These urban ultras wind through thick forest and along sheer cliffs on singletrack and doubletrack so challenging, you’ll forget you’re in the heart of Edmonton.
Distances: 5km, 25km, 50km, 50 miles, 100km, 100 miles; 25km relay, 50km relay
Date: June 15–16, 2018; January 2019
5. The Limberlost Challenge
Township of Lake Bays, ON
Just outside the borders of Algonquin Provincial Park, the rugged trails of the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Preserve play host to The Limberlost Challenge. The course loop passes pristine lakes and fascinating rock formations, and organizers promise “a post-race meal that you will write home about.” Plus, a portion of the proceeds supports Trails Youth Initiative, an adventure-based learning organization for youth in Toronto.
Distances: 14km, 28km, 56km
Date: July 7, 2018
6. Sinister 7
Crowsnest Pass, AB
With a punishing 6321m of elevation gain and an elevation profile as jagged as the Rocky Mountain peaks surrounding the course, the Sinister 7 is not for the faint of heart. Traverse the remote, rugged wilderness of Alberta’s Crowsnest Pass, where the views might distract you from the complex, technical terrain. And if you really want to make it a banner year, run the Canadian Death Race (see below) and the Black Spur Ultra to complete the Sinister Triple.
Distance: 100 miles (open to single runners or teams of up to seven)
Date: July 6–8, 2018
7. Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run
North Vancouver, BC
Named one of the toughest races in North America by Running Wild magazine, the Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run (or Knee Knacker) is legendary for its terrain and its views. Racers traverse Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove through Pacific Northwest rainforest, across rocky slopes and past spectacular scenery. After 4876m of vertical climb and descent, your knees will be knackered, but the finish-line festivities help temper the pain.
Distances: 30 miles
Date: July 14, 2018
8. Broken Goat
Rossland, BC
When the course description warns you that you’ll summit two peaks before reaching the first aid station, you know you’re in for a challenging race. Broken Goat is a point-to-point route along the 7 Summits ridge trail, with 45km of flowy alpine singletrack offering 360-degree views of the surrounding West Kootenay peaks.
Distances: 12km, 25km, 50km, 1km kids’ race
Date: July 21, 2018
9. MEC Montreal Trail Race Four: Mont Tremblant
Mont-Tremblant, QC
Ready to run up a ski hill? Tackle the formidable MEC Montreal Trail Race Four at Mont Tremblant and enjoy technical trails and incredible views. A variety of distances means the whole family can participate, and at only $15–$25, it’s an affordable way to challenge yourself with a longer race.
Distances: 5km, 10km, 20km, 40km
Date: July 29, 2018
10. Canadian Death Race
Grand Cache, AB
Billing itself as “one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons,” the Canadian Death Race is just as serious as it sounds. With 5180m of elevation gain, gruelling ascents and long distances between aid stations, it’s as challenging as it is scenic. The last leg includes a rushing river, and in a nod to Greek mythology, runners must carry a special coin to pay for safe passage across it to reach the finish.
Distance: marathon, 125km (open to single runners or teams of up to five)
Date: August 3–6, 2018
11. Yukon River Trail Marathon
Whitehorse, YT
Now in its 20th year, the Yukon River Trail Marathon is a formidable out-and-back race on rugged singletrack along the mighty Yukon River. Its elevation profile “resembles a monster’s jagged set of teeth,” according to one runner, and the views are so stunning that for safety reasons, organizers remind runners to “keep your eyes on the terrain, not the scenery.”
Distances: half marathon, marathon, marathon relay (with legs from 8 to 13km)
Date: August 5, 2018
12. Brookvale Ultra Trail Races
North Wiltshire, PEI
Tackle the Nordic ski and technical singletrack trails in and around Brookvale Provincial Park for a hilly race through beautiful woods. Previous racers highlight the Brookvale Ultra Trail Race’s seamless organization, challenging course and energetic volunteers.
Distances: 10km, 25km, 50km
Date: August 5, 2018
13. Fat Dog 120
Manning Park, BC
Named one of the world’s nine toughest ultras by Outside magazine, the Fat Dog 120 sends runners up a gruelling 8682m of elevation – nearly the height of Mount Everest (8848m). Travelling through three provincial parks, the course offers stunning views of BC’s Cascade Mountains and “sumptuous aid stations.”
Distances: 40 miles, 50 miles, 70 miles for solo runners; 120 miles for solo runners or teams of up to nine
Date: August 10–12, 2018
14. Squamish 50
Squamish, BC
With a start line right on the beach and more than 3350m of elevation gain, the Squamish 50 certainly lives up to the Sea to Sky hype. The course is 85% singletrack and offers incredible views of surrounding glaciers, peaks and Howe Sound. If you’re feeling ambitious, tackle the 50-miler on Saturday and the 50km race on Sunday to earn the coveted limited-edition Squamish 50/50 trucker hat.
Distances: 23km, 50km, 50 miles, 50/50 (50 miles on Saturday, 50km on Sunday)
Date: August 18–19, 2018
15. Ragnar Trail Cottage Country
Oro-Medonte, ON
Prefer trail running as a team sport? Try the Ragnar Trail Cottage Country relay race, where runners complete loops of varying distance and difficulty over the course of two days and one night. While one teammate is on the trails, the rest can lounge at the team campsite, hang out at the central bonfire or admire the impressive costumes coming through the finish.
Distance: 192km relay for teams of 2 to 8 runners (no solo runners)
Date: August 24–25, 2018
16. 5 Peaks: Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler, BC
One of the most scenic races in the 5 Peaks series (and that’s saying something), the Whistler Blackcomb course takes runners through alpine meadows and across boulder fields while offering panoramic views. Like all 5 Peaks races, this one’s cup-free, so make sure to bring your own water bottle or hydration bladder.
Distances: 6.6km, 10.6km (kids: 1km, 3km)
Date: August 25, 2018
17. MEC Ottawa Trail Race Three: Calabogie Peaks
Calabogie, ON
Go toe to toe with elite trail runners at MEC Ottawa Trail Race Three, which is also the inaugural Athletics Ontario Provincial Trail Running Championships. Combining technical singletrack, rocky ridge lines and an ascent up a ski run, the course offers stunning views from the summit of Calabogie Peaks.
Distances: 5km, 13km
Date: September 9, 2018
18. Beaver Flat 50
Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park, SK
Yes, you can run a rugged trail race on the prairies – the Beaver Flat 50 has an elevation gain of 2300m. Billing itself as a “hilly hard-as-hell trail run,” the race takes place on narrow animal trails full of rocks, sand, juniper and cacti.
Distances: 5km, 10km, 20km, 50km
Date: September 15, 2018
19. XTrail Mont Orford
Sherbrooke, QC
Test yourself against the technical terrain, creek crossings and serious elevation gain at XTrail Mont Orford, and be rewarded with flowy singletrack and 360 views. The 23km race is the headliner here, but shorter and less technical courses offer options for newer trail runners or the rest of the family.
Distances: 5km, 11.5km, 20km, 23km, 1km (kids)
Date: October 13, 2018
We know these races are popular, so if you like the look of one that’s already sold out this year, put the registration open date on your 2019 calendar. In the meantime, check out the MEC Race Series for lots of other trail race options.
See you on the trails!
