Home > Trail Races

Saskatchewan to host 2023 NACAC Mountain and Trail Running Championships

The race will be hosted in conjunction with the Beaver Flat 50K and features more than 2,300m of elevation gain

Photo by: @cmazier

For the first time, the province of Saskatchewan will host the North and Central American Mountain and Trail Running Championships, on Sept. 16. The championships will be held in Landing Provincial Park in southern Saskatchewan, and in case you thought the province was flat, the park features 2,300m of elevation gain over 50 kilometres, which will challenge the boldest mountain and trail runners.

Saskatchewan’s Landing Provincial Park from the north side of the South Saskatchewan River. Photo: W/C

The 2023 NACAC Mountain and Trail Running Championships will be hosted in conjunction with the Beaver Flat 50K, a popular trail race that isn’t just a walk in the park. “It’s hill repeats in the worst kind of way,” said race organizer Jeff Dudar in a press release. “There’s cacti, juniper bushes, rock, sand, snakes and water.”

The event, scheduled for Sept. 16, is expected to attract more than 500 athletes from Canada, the U.S., Mexico, El Salvador and beyond.

We are so excited about hosting this event. It’s a massive opportunity for us to provide exposure to Saskatchewan’s incredible trail running community, as well as to a really incredible gem of a spot: Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park,” said Dudar. “We are excited to take people by surprise—the Beaver Flat 50 is as tough as they come.”

Jeff’s brother, Warren Dudar, said he is looking forward to seeing international teams enjoy the hospitality of Swift Current, Sask.–the host city of 16,000, just two and a half hours west of Regina. “Landing Provincial Park has a difficult terrain,” said Warren. “It’s a similar elevation profile to many popular mountain races across the world.”

The 2023 NACAC Championships will feature two races: the 50K race on a course that winds through some of the most scenic and challenging terrains and boasts more than 2,300m of elevation gain, and the Classic Up and Down, a 10K event with 420m of elevation gain.

A trail runner descending the hills of Landing Provincial Park. Photo: Flemming Søndergaard/Strava

Spectators attending the event will have an opportunity to cheer on their favourite runners and enjoy Saskatchewan’s stunning natural beauty and Canada’s rich outdoor culture in the late summer.

For more information on the 2023 NACAC Mountain and Trail Running Championships or Beaver Flat 50K, check out here

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

The best trainers in Canada under $150

We curated the best performance trainers under $150 to meet your 2024 running goals, while staying on budget