The Falling Water Trail Marathon is a unique trail racing event on the Beaver Valley Section of the Bruce Trail. The race is named after the Falling Water section of the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail that participants will get to enjoy. It’s not a fast course and it will almost certainly be the most challenging marathon you will ever run but the views will be spectacular!
This course is not meant for beginners. Although there are not any specific qualifying standards for this event, runners should definitely have experience running on trails. The course is rocky, rooty, and very hilly. Your feet will probably get wet and aid stations will be further apart than many of our other events, due to the challenging terrain. Although it is a “marathon”, it is not a Boston Qualifier and if that irritates you, this probably isn’t the race for you! Seriously, this race is tough. There will be waterfalls, steep climbs, and incredible views. The scenery will make the challenge worth it!
This race supports The Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club.
In order to maximize the runner’s experience and protect the trails, we are limiting the race to only 90 participants (in each event). The Marathon will take place on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday.
Race Details
It’s tough. Like, really tough.
APPROXIMATELY 42.2k but let’s be honest, this is trail running and, therefore, not exact. We could probably make it exact, but what’s the fun in that? We are willing to sacrifice accuracy for the most aesthetically pleasing route. Not a Boston Qualifier and proud of it!
This course has nearly 5,000′ of elevation gain and another 5,000′ of elevation loss. There are a few big climbs that will be difficult but it’s the hundreds of little rollers that will break you down! Poles are permitted.
Almost all of the race takes place on the Main Trail of the Bruce Trail (except for the trail crossovers). The course is permanently marked with blue blazes on the crossover trails and white blazes for the rest of the course (runners absolutely MUST have an understanding of how to follow blazes). We will further mark the course with orange flags and ribbons. Our markings will be done sparingly but we will do our very best to clearly mark all important turns. When in doubt, follow the white blazes!
The race will start and finish at the Beaver Valley Ski Club. Runners will complete a short (6.5k), but challenging, out-and-back section that will spread out the runners before participants make their first crossing through the valley (East bound). This section, which takes place on the crossover trail (blue blazes) will have participants tackling one of the most challenging climbs of the day. Runners will then head South and cross back to the West side via Campbell’s Hill and Graham’s Hill. This will involve a run down (about 1k) to the low-point of the valley followed by a LONG climb back up the other side. This climb is approximately 1.5k long and is tough. Oh yeah, you’re going to have to complete the climb again towards the end of the race!. It is runnable, but only if you are a black-belt hill ninja- It is on road (quite rough and sketchy road, however) so that makes it a bit easier, right?. Runners will then head South all the way to the Southern-most point of the course, just beyond Hogg’s Falls. Runners will then head North all the way back to that dreaded Campbell’s Hill/Graham’s Hill crossing, which they will do again. Once runners are back on the West-side of the valley, they will venture back North to the Beaver Valley Ski Club to the finish line. Easy peasy.
You will laugh, you will cry, you will probably say you are never running again, and then you will go online and register for another race. Sound familiar?
Those of you who are racing it as hard as you can will definitely suffer. No way around that. Those of you who are taking it easy will also suffer, but, hopefully a little less and you will get to appreciate the amazing scenery. Beaver Valley in September… amazing. Take some pictures along the way!
Race Swag
Participants can expect a very unique finisher’s medal and a piece of race apparel. Last year we did backpacks, and they were awesome. in 2019, we did socks. We may do socks again but we aren’t entirely sure so we are going to take both your preferred sock size AND your shirt size just in case. You will probably get one or the other but who knows? Maybe we will give you something totally different. It’s too far away for us to think about at the moment!
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