We are excited to be partnering with Merrell.
We share common values and a belief that everyone deserves to enjoy the outdoors!
We are also proud to announce that this event is sanctioned by Athletics Ontario.
Please note, the long sleeve shirts have now been ordered for this year's event. Any new registrants will not be guaranteed a shirt. We will do our best to get you a shirt if there are any extras after all of the participants have signed in on race day.
The Rugged Raccoon Trail Race is a trail race held at Wildwood Conservation Area in St. Mary's, ON, with a night time option. 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.
Saturday, May 7 2022:
10:00am- 5km run start
11:30am- 10km run start
2:00pm- 25km day race start
7:00pm- 25km night race start (sunset is at 8:33pm on May 7th). Everyone must be off of the course by 10:30pm. If you require more than 3.5 hours to complete the course (which many will), we will be offering an early start option, which will start at 5:30pm.
8:45pm- 5km and 10km NIGHT races
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 course is a lollipop course, which means that participants will run out for approximately 1.2km, complete a loop in the woods, and return on the 1.2km section back to the start. It will be run on the North side of the lake, which offers wider and less technical trails. However, we can almost guarantee that there will be some mud. This event starts at 10:00am and is NOT a night race.
-The 10k course is an out-and-back with a loop in the middle, which like the 5k, takes place on the North side of the lake and will be run clockwise. This event starts at 11:30am and is NOT a night race.
-The 25k night race will start at 7:00pm, which is 1.5 hrs 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 10:30pm. If you need more than 3.5 hrs to complete the 25km race, we are offering an early start option, which will start at 5:30pm. 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. There is also a 25 km daytime race, which starts at 2:00pm.
Everybody running at night will be required to have a headlamp or flashlight (minimum of 100 lumens but 200 lumens or more is recommended) for this race, regardless of the distance you are racing (headlamp is strongly encouraged over a flashlight).
Our friends at Fenix have provided us with a 15% off discount code on headlamps. These are excellent headlamps! www.everythingfenix.com
As this race takes place at the beginning of May, runners should be expecting some mud- in 2019 there was plenty! 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! Plan on getting dirty.
Course Marking:
In this event's first year, a lot of people went of course and ended getting in some 'bonus miles'- especially in the 5k race! This year, we are setting a lofty goal of having NOBODY go off course. You can register for this race knowing that it will be marked REALLY, REALLY WELL. We will have marshals on the course and will be using a ridiculous amount of reflective flagging. Now, only if we could do something about the mud!
Aid Stations:
There will be 4 full aid stations on the course. They will be at 4.5k, 10k, 15k, and 20k. Each will be fully stocked with great stuff and awesome volunteers. 5k runners will not hit any aid stations on their journey but will be the first ones back to the start/finish area, where there will be hot drinks and some snacks waiting. The 10k runners will hit the first aid station at 4.5k, run past it, and then return to it on their way back at about 6k. The 25k runners will hit each aid station once.
Runners can expect the usual ultra staples- water, an electrolyte drink (Skratch labs), pb & j, sweet and salty snacks.
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.
Registration fees
25 km Raccoon Attack Day Race (2:00pm) Closed
Online registration closed-
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CA$70.00Jan 5 – Feb 28
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CA$75.00Mar 1 – Apr 13
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CA$75.00
No race shirt
Apr 14 – Apr 30
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5 km Raccoon Scratch (10:00am) Closed
Online registration closed-
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CA$50.00Jan 5 – Feb 28
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CA$55.00Mar 1 – Apr 13
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CA$55.00
No race shirt
Apr 14 – Apr 30
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10 km Raccoon Bite (11:30am) Closed
Online registration closed-
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CA$60.00Jan 5 – Feb 28
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CA$65.00Mar 1 – Apr 13
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CA$65.00
No race shirt
Apr 14 – Apr 30
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25 km Raccoon Attack Night Race (7:00pm) Closed
Online registration closed-
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CA$70.00Jan 5 – Feb 28
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CA$75.00Mar 1 – Apr 13
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CA$75.00
No race shirt
Apr 14 – Apr 30
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Waitlist Closed
Online registration closed-
If the event you are hoping to participate in is full, feel free to join the waitlist.
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FreeJan 5 – Feb 28
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FreeMar 1 – Apr 13
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FreeApr 14 – Apr 30
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10 km Raccoon Bite NIGHT RACE (8:45pm) Closed
Online registration closed-
This is a NIGHT trail race. It will be dark and you MUST have a headlamp or flashlight. Sunset is at 8:30pm at this time of year. It should be fully dark by 9:00pm.
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CA$60.00Jan 5 – Feb 28
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CA$65.00Mar 1 – Apr 13
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CA$65.00
No race shirt
Apr 14 – Apr 30
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Event schedule
- May 7 10:00 AM EDT - 5k Day
- May 7 11:30 AM EDT - 10k Day
- May 7 2:00 PM EDT - 25k Day
- May 7 7:00 PM EDT - 25k Night
- May 7 8:45 PM EDT - 5k Night
- May 7 8:45 PM EDT - 10k Night
Contact information
- Event contact
- Jeff Rowthorn
- Website
- Visit website
