The Rugged Raccoon Trail Race is our first night-time trail race. For those of you who enjoy running in the woods at night, this might just be the event for you! It is also a great opportunity for runners who are training for an upcoming 100k/100mi race that will require you to run through the night.
This race is in support of 'Ontario Nature'. Their Nature Guardians Youth Program supports youth and teens who are leading conservation initiatives such as:
- Offering hands-on opportunities for meaningful engagement and community involvement through outdoor events and campaigns
- Developing the knowledge, tools and networks youth need to create lasting, positive change through conservation action
- Providing insight on volunteer, education and career opportunities to help youth grow the skills, experience, and confidence needed to make a difference
Do you want to race for free? Raise $150 or more for 'Ontario Nature' and we will refund your entry fee. We'll also have mad respect for you!
Race Details:
There will be 3 distance options to choose from: 5k, 10k, and 25k
-The 5k race will start at 9:00pm, which is 30 minutes after sunset and the time of night when it really starts to get dark. Runners will be required to have their lights on for the duration of the event. The 5k course is an out-and-back on the North side of the lake, which offers wider and less technical trails.
-The 10k race will start at 8:45pm, which is 15 minutes after sunset, but it will still be light enough to see without a light source for the first 15 minutes. Civil twilight ends at approximately 9:00pm on race day, which means that you will definitely need to turn your lights on by this time. The 10k course is an out-and-back, which like the 5k, takes place on the North side of the lake and will be run clockwise.
-The 25k race will start at 7:30pm, which is 1 hr before sunset. This will allow you to have the opportunity to get into your trail running groove before it gets completely dark. Sunset happens at 8:30pm on race day. The time cutoff is 11:00pm. If you need more than 3.5hrs to complete the 25km race, we are offering an early start option, which will start at 6:00pm. Participants that start early, will count as official finishers but will not be eligible for time-based prizing. The 25k course is 1 full loop around the lake. Participants will start by heading clockwise on the North side of the lake, which is primarily wider and less technical. This will allow the field of runners to spread out before hitting the single track trails on the South side of the lake.
We designed the race this way on purpose for safety purposes. It is ideal to start with a little bit of light and give your eyes a chance to get use to the fading light. As a general rule, runners should turn on their lights BEFORE they need to.
Everybody will be required to have a headlamp or flashlight (minimum of 70 lumens but 100 lumens or more is recommended) for this race, regardless of the distance you are racing (headlamp is strongly encouraged over a flashlight). We will do our best to find a headlamp sponsor that can offer our participants discounts on high quality lamps.
As this race takes place at the beginning of May, runners should be expecting some mud. We can't guarantee it but we're pretty sure there will be some sloppy sections. If that worries you... GOOD! We encourage you to step out of your comfort zone- that's when the magic happens!
Race Swag:
All participants will receive a rad 3/4 sleeve shirt that looks pretty badass!
All finishers can expect a sweet finisher award as well.
In addition, our friends at the Canadian Trail Running Co are creating really awesome special edition race gear for all of our events this year. You can check them out and order them online by clicking on their logo below:
Aid Stations:
Runners can expect the usual ultra staples- water, an electrolyte drink (Skratch labs), pb & j, sweet and salty snacks.
We will be using our re-usable EcoCups at the Rugged Raccoon Night Race. They can be washed, sterilized, and re-used over 100 times and then recycled. We are grateful to our sponsor, DKOS (www.DKOS.ca), for helping us make this green initiative possible. They are made of rigid plastic and you throw them in the receptacle after using them, just like you would with a disposable cup. We will collect them, wash and sterilize them, and re-use them at our next event.
Camping at Wildwood:
Do you want to keep the good times rollin' after the race?
The good people at Wildwood are graciously offering us a wonderful deal on camping, which is available Friday- Sunday. They are reserving a large group area for us and offering us $35 per night per site within the group area (reg $49). Maximum of 6 people per site including children and infants. Either one trailer or up to 3 tents per site. One vehicle included per site. Any additional vehicle is $14 per day and if bring a motorized boat it is $15 per day. This fee is payable directly to the park when you arrive at Wildwood.
If you would prefer to book a more private site away from the smelly trail runners, you can contact the park, mention you are with the Rugged Raccoon race, and you will save the reservation fee ($14 saving) 519-284-2292 Ext. 434.
We will be sending out an email towards the end of April to collect information for those interested in camping.
Refund Policy:
Happy Trails Racing has a new policy regarding race refunds/transfers: register with confidence knowing that you can take advantage of our early bird pricing and, if you need to back out, you can do so up to 30 days before the race with a 100% race credit that can go towards any future Happy Trails event. It doesn't expire. From 30 days out to 15 days out, you can back out with a 50% race credit. Participants are also welcome to transfer their bib without any penalty up to 15 days before the race. Please keep in mind that everything we need to order to have you at our race is done so at least 30 days out.
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
5k Raccoon Scratch Closed
Online registration closed-
Get a taste of night-time trail running by running 5k. Watch out for raccoons!
-
CA$40.00Feb 7 – Feb 28
-
CA$50.00Mar 1 – Mar 31
-
CA$50.00
No Shirt
Apr 1 – Apr 28
-
10k Raccoon Bite Closed
Online registration closed-
10k of night-time trail running at its finest. Hopefully you're not afraid of the dark!
-
CA$60.00Feb 7 – Feb 28
-
CA$70.00Mar 1 – Mar 31
-
CA$70.00
No Shirt
Apr 1 – Apr 28
-
25k Raccoon Attack Closed
Online registration closed-
Come and run the longest distance offered; 25k!
-
CA$70.00Feb 7 – Feb 28
-
CA$80.00Mar 1 – Mar 31
-
CA$80.00
No Shirt
Apr 1 – Apr 28
-
25k Raccoon Attack- Early Start Option Closed
Online registration closed-
Please sign up for the early start if you need more than 3.5 hours to complete the 25k course. The early start will begin at 6:00pm. Participants who take advantage of the early start will still have an official time, and be official finishers but will not be eligible for time-based prizing.
-
CA$70.00Feb 7 – Feb 28
-
CA$80.00Mar 1 – Mar 31
-
CA$80.00
No Shirt
Apr 1 – Apr 28
-
Waitlist (once event is sold out) Closed
Online registration closed-
-
FreeFeb 7 – Feb 28
-
FreeMar 1 – Mar 31
-
FreeApr 1 – Apr 28
-
Event schedule
- Sat, May 4, 2019 6:00 PM - 25k Early Start
- Sat, May 4, 2019 7:30 PM - 25k
- Sat, May 4, 2019 8:45 PM - 10k
- Sat, May 4, 2019 9:00 PM - 5k
Contact information
- Event contact
- Jeff Rowthorn
- Website
- Visit website
