4 amazing Alberta trail races

We bring you four amazing trail races in Alberta. Two are for the hardest of hard-core ultra-trail enthusiasts, and two are not. For the armchair ultra-trail enthusiast (believe us, it’s a thing), the Canadian Death Race and Sinister 7 are to be read about and dreamt about. Rundles Revenge and 5 Peaks Canmore Trail Race are for introducing your out-of-town guests to trail running for the first time. They are family-friendly and beginner-friendly, with your choice of 7K or 12.5K distances (plus a kids’ race).

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfv5dfylhg1/

Canadian Death Race

Date: August 3-4, 2019
Location: Grande Cache, Alta.
Distances: 42K, 125K

This 19-year-0ld race has grown to 1,000 entrants has an international following. It is now organized by the same folks who put on the Sinister 7, and is one of the jewels in the Sinister Triple Crown (which also includes the Black Spur Ultra in Kimberley, B.C.). Albertans Jessica Laird and Doug Howson became the first-ever Sinister Triple Crown title holders last year. The 125K route features three mountain passes, a stream crossing and almost 5,200m of elevation gain. The 2018 defending champions are Jayden Dalke of Ferintosh, Alta. and Christi Richards of Missoula, Montana.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk3p1chDcpU/

Sinister 7

Date: July 5-7, 2019
Location: Crowsnest Pass, Alta. (Coleman, Alta.)
Distance: 100 miles (160K)

Sinister 7 is a 7-stage solo or team race in some of the most stunningly beautiful and difficult terrain in the Canadian Rockies. It has a 30-hour cutoff, and the women’s and men’s course records (held by Alissa St. Laurent and Dave Proctor, both from 2015) are both 18 hours and change.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoIVBx_AXoH/

RELATED: Dave Proctor introduces last-person-standing ultra

5 Peaks Central Alberta Race #2–Canmore

Date: Saturday, June 8, 2019
Location: Canmore, Alta.
Distances: 7.5K, 15.5K, half-marathon

This race takes place at the Canmore Nordic Centre, the home training facility of some of the best cross country skiers in Canada. Runners are treated to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Rockies as the course winds between majestic peaks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkeZ3EDgB5L/

Rundles Revenge

Date: Sunday, June 23, 2019
Location: Canmore, Alta.
Distances: 7.5K, 12.5K, kids’ race

Like the 5 Peaks Race #2, Rundles Revenge is situated at the Canmore Nordic Centre, and is a great way to gently introduce your kids or your friends to trail running. (The previous day features mountain bike racing on the same courses.)