A TRAIL RACE & AN ADVENTURE
We are very excited to be offering a unique trail race that is unlike any of our other events. Here are a few of the features that makes this race extra cool:
– The 50km event (actually about 51.8km) is a point-to-point race. We will bus participants from the finish line parking lot all the way to the start and then the runners will run the entirety of the Toronto Bruce Trail section. The 50km course will have a 10 hour cut-off. PLEASE NOTE: We consider this an intermediate level course. It is tough but beautiful. Although there aren’t any specific qualifications, this is not recommended for runners who have not completed a 50km already (try the 27.5km event – you’ll love it!). Trail shoes are mandatory.
– The 25km event (actually about 27.5km) is also a point-to-point race that, although shorter, offers an incredible experience along some of the most incredible sections of the Toronto Bruce Trail. The 25km course will have an 8.5 hour cutoff. This is also a difficult course but, due to the 8.5 hour cutoff, it is manageable for runners with some trail running experience. Plan on being out at least 1 hour longer than your typical 25k race.
– NEW THIS YEAR: We will also be offering a 10km OUT-AND-BACK race. Participants will start at Kelso Conservation and run 5km (through Hilton Falls Conservation Area, across Sixth Line, and along the escarpment before turning around and heading back to Kelso Conservation Area. This will be a hilly and challenging 10km course.
– In addition to a sweet finisher’s medal, runners who complete the 50km event will also earn a Toronto Bruce Trail Club End-to-End patch.
50km Race Course
The 50km race course is actually more like 51.8km. Participants will run the entirety of the Toronto Bruce Trail Club (50km) plus a little over a kilometre at the beginning and the end.
Part of what makes this course so incredible is the wide variety of terrain types on the course. Participants will experience lots of groomed trails where you can experience some magical running flow, challenging technical trails, rocks, roots, short sections of road, and plenty of short but punchy hills to climb and descend. There will be bridges, countless boardwalks, and stiles (small ladders to get over fences). The scenery will be beautiful and the course will be memorable. Did we mention rocks?
In our opinion, what makes this course challenging is not the elevation gain (about 800m for the 50km event) but rather the technical sections of the course, which will have even the most experienced trail runners walking through the most rocky sections.
Please keep in mind that participants will follow the permanently marked white blazes, which will be painted primarily on trees but also on rocks, and posts. The course is marked in a way that when you pass a blaze, you can usually see the next blaze. If you miss a blaze or can’t see any blazes, don’t travel more than 100m before backtracking. Please keep in mind that thousands of people follow these blazes successfully every year. If you go off course, it is usually because you are distracted or fatigued. A good rule of thumb is that the Bruce Trail marks where you SHOULD go and not where you SHOULDN’T go. By this we mean that unless you are clearly directed to turn, just stay on the trail that you are on and follow the white blazes. For the majority of the course, participants will find that there is only 1 trail to follow anyways.
We highly recommend buying and downloading the Bruce Trail app and/or downloading the following GPX file to your watch, if your watch has that capability.
25km Race Course
The 25km race will actually be more like 27.5km and will start on Sixth Line between Silver Creek Conservation Area and Limehouse Conservation Area. Participants will get to experience one of the most unique trail running experiences in Ontario as they pass through the magnificent “Hole in the Wall”, which will have runners travelling through a cave and then up a ladder. This section has the potential to get a little congested so please be patient and enjoy the unbelievable scenery that surrounds you.
Runners will have the opportunity to run through the Speyside section, which is beautiful but has some very rocky and rooty sections. Those of you that are trying to run fast will likely not enjoy the rocky section very much and will be cursing the Happy Trails Team, but those of you who are there to enjoy the experience and take in the scenery with some really cool people and don’t mind slowing down through this part will love Speyside!
Participants will get to enjoy a wide variety of terrain types including beautiful flowing single track, countless bridges and boardwalks over and around streams and creeks, very challenging technical rocky sections, and a long stretch along the edge of the Niagara escarpments from which participants will be able to see Toronto on a clear day.
Runners will also get to run across the very high quarry bridge and will pass the site of the first blaze that was painted on the Bruce Trail.
This really is a stunning course but is also quite challenging. It will likely take longer than you expect but we are pretty sure that you are going to love this adventure!
There will be 3 aid stations along the way.
10 km Race Course
The 10km race course will start and end at Kelso Conservation Area. There is plenty of parking (included) available for all participants.
The route will have participants running the final 5km of the 25k and 50k courses, in reverse, and then turning around and running back to the finish line. Please note, like the 25k and 50k courses, this is not your typical 10k race. It is hilly and there are some technical sections to the course.
There will be one aid station on the 10km course.
Aid Stations
There will be aid stations approximately 8-12km apart. The aid stations will be stocked with your typical trail race food (pickles, PB and J, chips, cookies, and other sweet and salty snacks), water, pop, and an electrolyte drink. Please keep in mind that this event, like all Happy Trails Racing events, is a cup-less event so you will need to have a collapsible cup or bottles to fill at the aid stations.
We recommend carrying at least 1L of fluids for this race.
We are proud to announce that this event is sanctioned by Athletics Ontario.
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