Three mountain summits, a river crossing by boat, and 24 hours to cheat Death in the Canadian Rockies.
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.
Experienced ultrarunners
Grande Cache, AB, CanadaAugust 01, 2026


| Location | km | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
Start Start | 0.0 | 1,234 m |
CP109 Checkpoint | 10.0 | 1,140 m |
Transition 200 Aid Station | 14.0 | 1,202 m |
CP219 Aid Station | 32.0 | 1,708 m |
Transition 300 Aid Station | 43.4 | 1,202 m |
CP316 Aid Station | 61.4 | 925 m |
Transition 400 Aid Station | 64.9 | 1,202 m |
CP406 Checkpoint | 69.9 | 1,488 m |
CP410 Aid Station | 73.9 | 1,878 m |
CP423 Aid Station | 86.9 | 1,428 m |
Transition 500 Aid Station | 100.1 | 1,202 m |
CP510 Aid Station | 107.1 | 951 m |
Smoky River Boat Crossing Checkpoint | 113.1 | 1,110 m |
Finish Finish | 118.0 | 1,206 m |
Sign in to see cutoffs, crew access, drop bags, and services for every aid station.
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.
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.
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'
Nighttime temperatures in the Canadian Rockies can drop sharply even in August — crews and runners should carry warm layers
Daytime temperatures during the August long weekend can reach high temperatures on exposed sections and the lower valley
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