Races
Fat Dog
British Columbia. Cascade alpine. One hundred twenty miles. Fat Dog is the classic Canadian mountain ultra.
120 mi+33,015 ft-31,755 ft48 hours2,789 ft to 7,661 fttech 5/106 stations2026 canceledCanadian CascadesWSER qualifierAugust
Distance120 mi
Gain+33,015 ft
Loss-31,755 ft
Altitude2,789 ft to 7,661 ft
Technicality5/10
Air35°F to 85°F
- Start2,805 ft
- High7,542 ft
- Low2,805 ft
- Finish4,065 ft
- Canada at mile 0.0
- Fat Dog mile 24 at mile 24, cutoff 9.600000000000001 hours
- Fat Dog mile 48 at mile 48, cutoff 19.200000000000003 hours
- Fat Dog mile 72 at mile 72, cutoff 28.799999999999997 hours
- Fat Dog mile 96 at mile 96, cutoff 38.400000000000006 hours
- Finish Canada at mile 120, cutoff 48 hours
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop1,660 ft-15.0% over 2.1 mi
Night miles32 misunset near 19:00 local
The cruxCathedral Provincial Park alpine sections (near mile 78)
Course DNA
The Course
Fat Dog runs 120 mi through Canada. +33,015 ft gain and -31,755 ft loss. Surfaces skew 85% trail / 15% forest road. Cathedral Provincial Park alpine sections. High point near 7,661 ft. Low near 2,789 ft. August temps run 35°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 60.
The Work
Train for 33,015 feet of climbing across 120 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 48 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 78.
Kit
August in Canada: plan for 35°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 48 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 30. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 85% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 60.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 30. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 60. Cathedral Provincial Park alpine sections near mile 78 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 40 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Fat Dog finish lines.
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