The Canadian Death Race

Grande Cache, Alberta, Canada
05 Aug, 2017 (Sat)
Event size: 1000 - 4999 participants (Max 1500 participants)

Trail running

42.195 km, 125 km

About the event

The Canadian Death Race takes place every August Long Weekend in Grande Cache, Alberta, Canada. This year, Adult Race Day is Aug 5, 2017.

Since the start of the millennium, elite racers have come to the Canadian Rockies to cheat Death in one of the world's toughest adventure races. The 125 km course begins and ends on a 4200 foot plateau, passes over three mountain summits and includes over 17,000 feet of elevation change and a major river crossing at the spectacular Hell's Gate canyon at the confluence of the Smoky and Sulphur Rivers. Extreme athletes, individually and in relays, push themselves to the limits of their endurance against the breathtaking background of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Each year, well-trained and totally committed, they battle heat, cold, altitude and themselves. Finishing is the prize. And the bragging rights are priceless....

Races offered by this event

Canadian Death Race Ultra Marathon

05 Aug, 2017 (Sat) - 08:00
Trail running
125 km
17000 ft of elevation gain
Race size: 100 - 249 participants
The race begins and ends in Grande Cache, Alberta. The five legs may be run individually or in relay teams of two to five members. Alternatively, the first two legs can be run individually as a marathon. The first leg is the shortest at 19 km, the second is the most technical, the third is considered the easiest section, the fourth is the longest at 38 km, and the last leg to the finish line is of (comparatively) intermediate difficulty. Included below are the cut off times for each leg. Cut off times are set for safety purposes and are strictly enforced for that reason. If a team's Racer does not make it in by the cutoff time, as a courtesy, the next Racer can begin at the cutoff time without the coin and timing chip. However, the time to do the leg will not be scored and ultimately the Leg 5 Racer will not be able to cross the river (since he will not have the coin).

First leg, 19 km: The Downtown Jaunt
Approximately 6 km of initial pavement, followed by trail and 3.5 km of gravel road. It includes a net elevation loss of 500 feet, rolling hills with flat sections, several creek crossings, and one significant downhill. The course will start in downtown Grande Cache at the start/finish line, and the race officially begins at the 5 km mark, after passing the Grande Cache Saddle club. It then continues past Grande Cache Lake and Peavine Lake, mainly on quad trails, and includes a section along a ridge with a spectacular view of Peavine Lake and the mountains of Willmore Wilderness Park. After crossing Washy Creek and skirting the north end of the CN rail yard through a deep mud bog, enter the first full aid station and relay exchange zone. Cut off Time: 12 Noon

Second leg, 27 km: Flood & Grande Mountain Slugfest
Includes about 1 km of pavement. The rest is dirt trail with rocky and swampy sections, and approximately 6 km of hard packed dirt road. Net elevation gain is 500 feet, but the total elevation change is well over 6000 feet. This leg of the race is characterized by long sustained climbing with about 3 km of very rough terrain and two creek crossings. The trail from the summit of Flood Mountain to the summit of Grande Mountain is the roughest piece of trail in the Death Race. The power line down the front of Grande Mountain leading back into town is the most dangerous part of the entire course. This is due to the steep, rocky drop-offs and unstable footing while running downhill. The Slugfest is the most technical section and is rated the second hardest leg of the Death Race (although many rate this leg as the hardest of all). The Near Death Marathon course bypasses the Flood Summit Loop but otherwise is the exact same Legs 1 and 2 and finishes at the Start/Finish Line at the end of Leg 2. Cut off Time: 5:30 pm.

Third leg, 19 km: Old Mine Road (or “City Slicker Valley”)
Includes 5 km of pavement: the rest is dirt road with several creek crossings. One creek runs right down the trail as you descend the first part of the Mine Road; making for very slippery, rocky, terrain for 30 meters. This section passes through the lowest point in the race, hitting the very bottom of the Smoky River valley floor, with knee deep water for 25 meters. (If it’s a wet summer, it's worse.) With a net elevation loss of about 1000 feet, this section is the fastest and easiest of the race and one of the most beautiful, offering stunning views of the Smoky River valley. Cut off Time: 7 pm.

Fourth leg, 38 km: Hamel Assault
This is mostly dirt trail and hard packed gravel. While the net elevation gain is zero, the total elevation change is well over 6500 feet, which comes practically all at once. The ascent of Mount Hamel (elevation: 6,986 feet) is broken into two very long climbs, with one small reprieve as you gain the shoulder of the mountain at the mid-point. You will pass the Hamel Escape station where racers can bail out if they've had enough (Cut off Time 10:15 pm). At the forestry tower on the summit of Mount Hamel, runners check in and then continue toward the spectacular cliff bluffs at Hell's Canyon, where they must retrieve a prayer flag as proof they have made the turnaround point. The descent is strewn with boulders and deep ruts. The downhill is not that technical, but any falls will be on very unforgiving ground. (Read the waiver section about being in remote areas and not being rescued in time to prevent serious injury or death.) This entire leg is fantastically scenic. Cut off Time: 4:15 am

Fifth and final leg, 22km, The River Crossing
Includes 1 km pavement, 6 km gravel road, and a river crossing. The rest is dirt trail, grass, and single track. Net elevation change of over 2500ft. This section runs from the Northwest end of the Hell’s Gate Access Road southward to the Sulphur Gates Road - across from the Hell’s Gate emergency aid station. It crosses the Hell’s Gate road and heads down to the Boat Launch road. Runners will be ferried across the Smoky River. There is an emergency aid station on the west bank of the river. From the raft crossing, racers will proceed up the east shore of the Smoky River and follow the trail to the Sulphur Rim trail. The course passes the Firemen's park, heads up Firemen's Park Road and continues to the Finish line in the Grande Cache town square. Please note: For most runners this leg will be completed in darkness with much of the trail under a heavy canopy of trees, so eye protection is required. Although this section is well marked with reflective markers, flagging tape, and signs, we recommend you bring a halogen headlamp with brand new alkaline batteries. Daylight training on this part of the course is highly recommended.
Last boat: 6 am End of Race: 8 am Course closes: 9 am
Western States qualifier
On site
Trail
Extreme
Mountain range

Near Death Marathon

05 Aug, 2017 (Sat) - 08:00
Trail running
42.195 km
The race begins and ends in Grande Cache, Alberta. The five legs may be run individually or in relay teams of two to five members. Alternatively, the first two legs can be run individually as a marathon. The first leg is the shortest at 19 km, the second is the most technical, the third is considered the easiest section, the fourth is the longest at 38 km, and the last leg to the finish line is of (comparatively) intermediate difficulty. Included below are the cut off times for each leg. Cut off times are set for safety purposes and are strictly enforced for that reason. If a team's Racer does not make it in by the cutoff time, as a courtesy, the next Racer can begin at the cutoff time without the coin and timing chip. However, the time to do the leg will not be scored and ultimately the Leg 5 Racer will not be able to cross the river (since he will not have the coin).

First leg, 19 km: The Downtown Jaunt
Approximately 6 km of initial pavement, followed by trail and 3.5 km of gravel road. It includes a net elevation loss of 500 feet, rolling hills with flat sections, several creek crossings, and one significant downhill. The course will start in downtown Grande Cache at the start/finish line, and the race officially begins at the 5 km mark, after passing the Grande Cache Saddle club. It then continues past Grande Cache Lake and Peavine Lake, mainly on quad trails, and includes a section along a ridge with a spectacular view of Peavine Lake and the mountains of Willmore Wilderness Park. After crossing Washy Creek and skirting the north end of the CN rail yard through a deep mud bog, enter the first full aid station and relay exchange zone. Cut off Time: 12 Noon

Second leg, 27 km: Flood & Grande Mountain Slugfest
Includes about 1 km of pavement. The rest is dirt trail with rocky and swampy sections, and approximately 6 km of hard packed dirt road. Net elevation gain is 500 feet, but the total elevation change is well over 6000 feet. This leg of the race is characterized by long sustained climbing with about 3 km of very rough terrain and two creek crossings. The trail from the summit of Flood Mountain to the summit of Grande Mountain is the roughest piece of trail in the Death Race. The power line down the front of Grande Mountain leading back into town is the most dangerous part of the entire course. This is due to the steep, rocky drop-offs and unstable footing while running downhill. The Slugfest is the most technical section and is rated the second hardest leg of the Death Race (although many rate this leg as the hardest of all). The Near Death Marathon course bypasses the Flood Summit Loop but otherwise is the exact same Legs 1 and 2 and finishes at the Start/Finish Line at the end of Leg 2. Cut off Time: 5:30 pm.
On site
Trail
Extreme
Mountain range

Reviews

No reviews yet.
Be the first to share your experience!
Write a review
Stay22 logoStay22 logo

Find hotels near The Canadian Death Race

News: Trail running

Read more
NewsResults

Results: St. Laurent kills in Canadian Death Race

07 Aug, 2015 (Fri)

Credit : Michael Kalus 125K results Alissa St. Laurent not only beat the men, she beat them bad in The Canadian Death Race through the mountains of Alberta, Canada. St. Laurent (13:51:21) came in almost an hour and a half ahead of more than 100 runners who braved the 125km multi-terrain race which has been going on in the Canadian Rockies of Grande Cache since 2000. Runner-up Graham Glennie took the top spot for the men with a time of 15:17:29. Following Glennie and finishing two-three for the men were Doug Howson (15:51:53) and Adrian Harvey (16:03:49). Harvey cut more than 40 minutes from his eighth-place finish a year ago. Rounding out the women’s top three were Wendy Copp (16:35:59) and Mallory Richard (17:07:17). Top 10 Men 1 Graham GLENNIE 15:17:29 2 Doug HOWSON 15:51:53 3 Adrian HARVEY 16:03:49 4 Ryan LAKHRAM 16:06:29 5 Scott GOOSNEY 16:09:37 6 Christopher AUBREY 16:17:00 7 Greg SOLTYS 16:23:51 8 Mark JOHNSON 16:35:19 9 Kris BUTLER 16:37:03 10 James GARDNER 16:50:22 Top 10 Women 1 Alissa ST. LAURENT 13:51:21 2 Wendy COPP 16:35:59 3 Mallory RICHARD 17:07:17 4 Jami CREGO 17:11:45 5 Nicki HAUGAN 19:17:50 6 Baily HAUGAN 19:17:55 7 Kimberley STARK 19:31:17 8 Meghan KISS 20:29:38 9 Karen JOHANSEN 21:10:49 10 Carrie MANITOPYES 21:23:37 Complete Results
Ahotu event page:
1 min read
Join us today
Sports

The price shown is converted as an approximate cost in your selected currency. Exchange rates may change while completing your purchase. Always check with your issuing bank for an exact exchange rate.

© Ahotu is a World's Sports Group owned service and brand. All rights reserved.