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Built on bad decisions in Boulder, CO.

Canadian Death Race 118km Ultra

Basic Listing
  1. Sinister Sports Inc.
  2. 2026 Edition

Three mountain summits, a river crossing by boat, and 24 hours to cheat Death in the Canadian Rockies.

Directions
Registration OpensOctober 10, 2025
DeadlineJuly 18, 2026
Register
All trail races in Alberta→
August 01, 2026
Saturday 8:00am MDT start
Grande Cache, AB
Canada
118 km
Loop Course
4,541 m
Elevation Gain
Open Registration
No lottery
No Service Requirement
Does not require trail or volunteer work
No Qualifier
No qualifier race required
Very Challenging
Experienced ultrarunners
Links
WebsiteInstagramFacebook
2000
Established
350
Field Size
11:36 M / 13:28 W
Course Record

What Makes It Great

The Canadian Death Race is a grueling 118km loop through the Canadian Rockies near Grande Cache, Alberta, traversing three mountain summits, thousands of feet of technical climbing and descending, and culminating in a mandatory river crossing of the Smoky River via boat at Hell's Gate canyon. The five-leg course gains over 4,700 metres of elevation, winds through remote wilderness, climbs the infamous Mount Hamell (where racers must retrieve a summit flag at the cliff bluffs above Hell's Canyon), and passes through the lowest point of the Smoky River valley before finishing back in Grande Cache town center. The race has been pushing competitors to their limits since 2000 and is one of Canada's most coveted and challenging ultramarathon finishes.

Difficulty

Advanced
8/10

Experienced ultrarunners

Technical Terrain
Steep Climbing
Technical Descent
River Crossing
Night Running
Remote Terrain
Variable Weather
No Pacers

Race Highlights

Mandatory Smoky River crossing
Every solo racer is ferried across the Smoky River by raft at Hell's Gate canyon — lose your Death Race Coin and you can't board the boat
Three Rockies summits
Course summits Flood Mountain, Grande Mountain, and Mount Hamell, requiring runners to retrieve a summit flag at Hamell's cliff bluffs above Hell's Canyon
Running since 2000
One of Canada's original ultramarathons, the Death Race has been punishing runners in the Canadian Rockies for over 25 years
Western States Qualifier
One of the few Western States 100 qualifying races in Canada, adding prestige and drawing serious ultra competitors
Night running through wilderness
Runners averaging more than 13 hours will tackle Leg 5's brushy singletrack and remote trails in full darkness

Canadian Death Race 118km Ultra

Grande Cache, AB, CanadaAugust 01, 2026

August 01, 2026
Course map for Canadian Death Race 118km Ultra
DistDistance118 km
GainElevation Gain4,541 m
LimitCutoff24 h
Steep ClimbingTechnical DescentRiver CrossingNight RunningRemote TerrainVariable WeatherNo Pacers

Entry Timeline

Registration OpensOctober 10, 2025
Registration DeadlineJuly 18, 2026
Race DayAugust 01, 2026

Lottery

This event uses open registration - no lottery entry required.

Qualifier

This event does not require a qualifier for entry.

Service Requirement

This race does not have a service requirement for entry.
118.0 km
Distance
Loop
Route
24h
Cutoff Time
1,299 m
Average Elevation
4,541 m
Total Ascent
4,541 m
Total Descent
2,060 m
High Point
904 m
Low Point
Course map
Launch Course Explorer

Aid Stations

LocationkmElevation
Start
Start
0.01,234 m
CP109
Checkpoint
10.01,140 m
Transition 200
Aid Station
14.01,202 m
CP219
Aid Station
32.01,708 m
Transition 300
Aid Station
43.41,202 m
CP316
Aid Station
61.4925 m
Transition 400
Aid Station
64.91,202 m
CP406
Checkpoint
69.91,488 m
CP410
Aid Station
73.91,878 m
CP423
Aid Station
86.91,428 m
Transition 500
Aid Station
100.11,202 m
CP510
Aid Station
107.1951 m
Smoky River Boat Crossing
Checkpoint
113.11,110 m
Finish
Finish
118.01,206 m

Sign in to see cutoffs, crew access, drop bags, and services for every aid station.

Dogs Allowed

Dogs are not permitted on the race course. Dogs are welcome at the venue and tent city camping area but must be kept on a leash at all times.

On-Site Camping Available

Tent City at MD Greenview (baseball field, 104 Ave + Memorial Drive). $50 weekend pass for tents and RVs, first-come first-served. Includes shower access at the Grande Cache Recreation Centre. Check-in Thu-Sat, check-out Mon by noon. Contact: Grande Cache Tourism 780-827-3300.

Crew Access Points

Pacer Rules

No Pacers Allowed

Crew Rules

  • Support crews are allowed only at designated Transition Areas (TAs). Crews may not meet runners at Checkpoints (CPs). Crew vehicles require a Race Parking Pass for entry to transition areas.
  • Support crews and relay teams are not permitted to meet their runners at Checkpoints. Accepting assistance outside a TA from anyone besides a registered racer or medic will result in disqualification.
Weather
Rapid Weather Changes

Conditions on Mount Hamell can shift from intense heat to cold, wet, and windy within hours — race director notes bad conditions on Hamell 'almost every year'

Cold/Hypothermia Risk

Nighttime temperatures in the Canadian Rockies can drop sharply even in August — crews and runners should carry warm layers

Heat Training Recommended

Daytime temperatures during the August long weekend can reach high temperatures on exposed sections and the lower valley

Gear Rules

Trekking poles allowed

Required Gear

  • Timing Chip (Assigned at registration. Must be worn and returned at the end of the race or face a $60 charge.)
  • Race Number (Must be visible on the front of your body at all times.)
  • Death Race Coin (Mandatory — carried at all times. Must be surrendered to the 'Grim Reaper' at the river crossing for access to the boat. Losing the coin results in a DNF.)
  • ID Bracelet (Assigned at registration; must be on person at all times.)

Recommended Gear

  • Headlamp with new batteries (Required to carry after 6:00pm. Halogen headlamp strongly recommended for Leg 5 in darkness.)
  • Full water bottle or hydration pack (Cups not provided at Checkpoints — bring your own container.)
  • Wind/water resistant jacket (Weather can shift from blistering heat to cold and wet.)
  • Toque or warm hat
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Clear eye protection (Required on Leg 5 due to dense forest and brushy trail in darkness.)
  • Whistle
  • Space blanket
  • Bear spray or bear banger (Only if you know how to use it. Bears and cougars are present in the area.)

Race Reports

Canadian Death Race – Run me Wild
By Run Me Wild • 2024
The Canadian Death Race 125km
By Pacific Pine Running Co. • 2023

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Register•August 01, 2026