Per event’s Facebook page (3/4/22): “Due to the major flooding on the Berg Lake trail in 2021, the trail will be undergoing repairs. We look forward to running the Mount Robson Marathon again in the future. The event will be taking a break for 2022, until the repairs are complete.”
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The Mount Robson Ultra Marathon will be an “out-and-back” run on the world famous Berg Lake Trail. The route passes through several different environmental zones and has its turn-around point just past the the shores of magnificent Berg Lake, truly making this marathon a one-of-a-kind experience.
The ultra marathon has an elevation gain of 825m/2,700ft over the 25km to the turn-around point. The section from Whitehorn Campground to Emporer Falls Campground climbs steeply and almost continuously through the Valley of a Thousand Falls for about 5km, with an elevation gain of about 500m/1650ft. Most runners will find themselves walking much of this section.
The Berg Lake Trail is the most heavily used backcountry trail in the Canadian Rockies, with over 2,000 overnight users each year. The trail is very well maintained, and is mostly hardpacked ground with very few exposed roots or protruding rocks.
Half Marathon
The half marathon takes racers along the Robson River to the shores of Kinney Lake. The turn-around point is on a broad outflow plain below the towering slopes of Mount Robson. Although runners will be halfway to Berg Lake, they will encounter less than 1/4 of the elevation gain of the ultra marathoners.
The half marathon has an elevation gain of about 180m/600ft over the 10.55km distance to the turn-around point. Most of the elevation gain is spread evenly along the 4km between the Berg Lake Trailhead and Kinney Lake. There are only two short sections (perhaps 200m each) of what could be considered steep uphill.
Kinney 12K
The Kinney Lake 12km event takes runners from the Mount Robson Visitor Information Centre along the Berg Lake trail. After an initial 2km of paved road, runners start up the trail along the Robson River. Participants can expect the next 4km to travel up a wide gravel path of a moderate grade, until they reach the turnaround at the Kinney Lake outflow bridge.
Flatlander 5K
The Flatlander 5K run takes takes racers from the start-finish at the Mount Robson Visitor Centre and along the Robson River. The turn-around point is before the base of the first climb up “Avalanche Hill”. It is a great first-timers event that still takes in the spectacular scenery of Mount Robson.
The Flatlander 5K has minimal elevation gain. The first 2km (approximately) take runners from the towering view of Mount Robson at the start-finish along a flat paved road to the Robson River crossing at the Berg Lake trailhead. Then runners start up a wide low grade section of the Berg Lake Trail for less than a kilometre to the turn around point. Then they head back to the finish line.
Maximum number of event registrants
50K Ultra Marathon – 175
Half Marathon – 175
Kinney Lake 12K – 100
Flatlander 5K – 50
LESS
