Races
Canadian Death Race
Grande Cache, Alberta. Canadian Rockies gorge. Sulphur Skyline. One hundred eighteen kilometers of hurt.
73 mi+1,084 ft-1,045 ft24 hours837 ft to 885 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookCanadian RockiesWSER qualifierAugust
Distance73 mi
Gain+1,084 ft
Loss-1,045 ft
Altitude837 ft to 885 ft
Technicality5/10
Air35°F to 85°F
- Start837 ft
- High885 ft
- Low837 ft
- Finish876 ft
- Leg 1 finish Grande Cache at mile 12, cutoff 4 hours, crew
- Leg 2 Slugfest at mile 29, cutoff 9.5 hours, crew, drop bag
- Leg 3 Ambler Loop at mile 40, cutoff 14 hours, crew, drop bag
- Leg 4 Hamel at mile 53, cutoff 19 hours, crew, drop bag
- Boat crossing (Sulphur Gates) at mile 66
- Finish Grande Cache at mile 78, cutoff 24 hours, crew
Geometryderived
Steepest drop36 ft-0.3% over 2.1 mi
Night miles25 misunset near 19:00 local
The cruxSulphur Skyline and the Grande Cache gorge (near mile 48)
Course DNA
The Course
Canadian Death Race runs 118 km through Canada. +1,084 ft gain and -1,045 ft loss. Surfaces skew 70% trail / 25% scree / 5% road. Sulphur Skyline and the Grande Cache gorge. High point near 885 ft. Low near 837 ft. August temps run 35°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 37.
The Work
Train for 1,084 feet of climbing across 118 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 24 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 48.
Kit
August in Canada: plan for 35°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 24 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 18. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 70% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 37.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 18. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 37. Sulphur Skyline and the Grande Cache gorge near mile 48 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 24 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Canadian Death Race finish lines.
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Sources (1)
- Canadian Death Race 125 km aid station chart: https://canadiandeathrace.com/