WESTERN STATES ENDURANCE RUN - Our Quest for 2025 Qualifier Status

Audacious dreams illuminate a path toward historic potential.

We at Straw Dog Racing, on behalf of BRC Runners, are proud to announce that the Sulphur Springs Trail Race (SSTR) has an agreement in principle to become Ontario’s FIRST Western States Endurance Run (WSER) Qualifier - Starting as early as May of 2024!

We need your help to realize this audacious dream.

We are very excited to share that: Once we have 100@100 Mile Finishers (*must finish within 30 hours) at the 2024 SSTR, ALL 100 Milers finishing within 30 hours will be granted an entry Ballot in the December 2024 Bib Lottery for the 2025 running of the WSER 100 Miler.

It gets better:

Due to the elevation gain within our 100K Route: Once we have 100@100K Finishers (*must finish within 18 hours) at the 2024 SSTR, ALL 100K Runners finishing within 18 hours AND all 100 Mile Runners finishing within 30 hours will be granted an entry Ballot in the December 2024 Bib Lottery for the 2025 running of the WSER 100 Miler.

You have read this correctly! We need 100 Finishers in the 100K (18 hrs) AND/OR 100 Finishers in the 100 Miler (30 hrs) at the 2024 Sulphur Springs Trail Race to be granted Western States Endurance Run Qualifier Status.

Mauro Campanelli. Russell Thacker. Steve Connor.

Welcome to SSTR 2024

2024 Sulphur Springs Trail Races

Sat May 25th (100M, 100K, 50M, 50K & 100M Team Relay)

Sun May 26th (10K & 20K)

Course Description

This unbelievable 20K looped course is a hidden gem inside the Dundas Valley Conservation Area of Ancaster, Ontario.

With wildlife teeming through this old Carolinian Forest, and waterfalls cascading over rocks along the course, your legs may not even notice traversing the over 500M / 1500 ft of elevation per 20K loop. Expect to be challenged on this (mostly) double track trail system as you are supported with three fully stocked Aid Stations along the way.

This race is the Longest Running Ultra Race in Ontario, dating back to 1993. Our 2024 running of this race promises to be the best one yet! Don’t miss it!

2023 Race Recap Video

Have a peek at Nick Lobo's recap of his brother' Andrew's race:

Our Unique 100 Mile Solo Race

Our Unique 100 Mile Solo Race: 8 x 20K laps = 160K.

100 Mile Solo runners have 30 Hours to complete this race, and can earn UTMB qualifying points along the way. 100 Mile solo runners will also appreciate our unique finish line experience, as they are cheered on by the more than 700 runners who have joined the weekend for the 10K and 20K races. This creates a very energized finisher experience!

Western States Endurance Run (WSER):

Our Mission is to become the first Trail Ultra in Ontario to offer Ballots for entry into the WSER 100 Miler.

We have the course, the history, the safety record and the experience to be recognized for this privilege, now we just need YOU at the finish line!

Help us as we strive for 100 Finishers in our 100 Mile Solo Division!

Course Maps

2024 Sulphur Springs Trail Race Map - featuring 4 Aid Stations for your safety and enjoyment.

Link to Map: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19aOBNxeFgnsNLJsbB-QzW0O0he8kuzyE/view?usp=sharing

20KM GPX Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/140w0lyHLdfG-29hxGgyABwuE3MmxZD5l/view?usp=share_link

10KM GPX Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LV76tBqBsM4W-Ktw67x5zpR7GhAoXV1K/view?usp=share_link

Race Day Photos

Race day photos are complimentary - courtesy of Arc'teryx & Sue Sitki Photography

100 Mile Team Registration

Team Captain must register Team Name, themselves and pay registration fee for the whole team by clicking register under RELAY TEAM CAPTAIN
Each team member then joins the team using Team Name and Code provided by their Team Captain under RELAY TEAM MEMBER REGISTRATION (team members pay the captain as required).
Teams can consist of 2-8 members.
Runners order is as agreed upon by the team.
Laps are 20K. (there is no place to switch out runners during the lap. Runner must complete the entire lap.
Timing chips are passed from runner to runner at the end of the loop (at the start/finish area).
Teams do not have any gender designation (ie all male, mixed, etc) All teams are classified the same class - mixed - regardless of the make up of runners.

PLEASE NOTE

Refer to Race Web site and Runner's Guide for full details of Race Rules and Information.

NO CUPS at aid stations. Bring your own reusable cups/water bottles etc.
NO PETS are allowed in any event or in the start/finish area.
NO STROLLERS are allowed in any event or in the start/finish area.
Aid stations have a variety of foods; however, we cannot accommodate all dietary restrictions. If you have specific needs, bring what you need.
Although trails will be marked, all runners are expected to have reviewed the course map and directions and latest version of the participant guide and make themselves familiar with these documents. Downloadable GPX files are in the Runner's Guide and on the maps on-site as well.
Race and medical officials have the right to withdraw any runner at any time if deemed necessary (no refund will be issued).
Hiking Poles are permitted for use by runners racing distances 50 Miles or longer. Be careful with their use.

Race Videos

Here are some links to videos on YouTube that may help you visualize the course and how some runners experience race day

2017 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG6pQU_jSkw
2017 - 200 miles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kzwUSJGSYk
2016 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSvZgSojEZg

Charity

With donations, we Support the Fit Active Beautiful Foundation as well as the Hamilton Conservation Foundation.

Please consider making a donation to support these tremendous charities.

Our Green Finish Line of Cedar trees, are donated immediately after the race to the Hamilton Conservation Authority These trees are planted in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area for us to enjoy as runners for years to come.

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Name: Sulphur Springs Trail Race 2024
Start: 2024-05-25T06:00:00-04:00
Location: Morgan Firestone Arena, Ancaster, Hamilton, ON, Canada

The Highest Degree of Difficulty: This aptly named Strava segment ascending Martin Road up to Aid Station #1, will become a familiar site for all of our runners. The 100 mile solo runners will climb this segment a total of 8 times on their journey.

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2024 Sulphur Springs Swag Shop is NOW OPEN!

We have a HUGE selection of SSTR Merch for you to choose from.

All purchases will be brought to the Race Site for Pickup.

Final day for orders: April 28th, 2024.

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Aid Stations: We are a CUP FREE event – please bring an appropriate container to collect and consume fluids from the Aid Stations. Let’s keep it green. There are FOUR Aid Stations on the course (see map), where you will find Skratch Labs Hydration plus water to fill your own bottles. For the Long Distance events, food will be available all day and night at the Aid Stations, including items such as hot chicken soup, gummies, chips, cookies, boiled potatoes and watermelon. The food will change as the event progresses through the night. Port-a-potties will be stationed at each Aid Station, with a large number at the Start/Finish area.

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Safety: Onsite First Aid and Medical Support will be available all weekend through our partnership with Odyssey Medical, a company with a long history of successfully supporting events and races just like ours. Runners are self-supported and are expected to bring appropriate gear for changing weather conditions, lights (and spares) for night time safety and nutrition to sustain their efforts.

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Charitable donations: Please consider making donations on the left side of this page. We are proud to support FAB (Fit Active Beautiful) Foundation – helping young women in Hamilton’s low income communities to become strong women.

We also support the Hamilton Conservation Foundation and their efforts to preserve and maintain the beautiful trail system for all to enjoy.

Our Green Finish Line Chute is made up of 30 Cedar trees, which are donated to the Dundas Valley Conservation Area for planting after Race Weekend.

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This event is hosted by the Burlington Runners Club. We Love new members!

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The 2024 event is once again directed by

Straw Dog Racing: Steve Connor, Mauro Campanelli & Russell Thacker

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2024 Finisher Medals and 100 Mile Belt Buckles: All New for 2024 - Images are coming soon!

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2024 Race Day Photography:

Provided by Sue Sitki Photography - the best around!

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We are proud to be an Athletics Ontario Sanctioned event!

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THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS and SPONSORS for 2024!