Tally in the Valley Trail Race 2024

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: THIS IS FOR THE 2024 EVENT!

THIS YEAR THE COURSE WILL BE RUN IN A COUNTER-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION. We switch directions every year. That means that we will be running downhill on the rail trail this year. Personally, I find this direction more difficult but I seem to be in the minority as most people say that this direction is easier.

Come and join us at the Dundas Valley Conservation Area for Tally in the Valley, a race unlike any other in the area.

Race Information:

Participants will run a 7km loop through the unique Carolinian forest in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. The loop is primarily made up of groomed double track trails with rolling hills and approximately 130m of elevation gain per loop. Although there aren't any major climbs on this course, the constant rolling hills will wear you down in the later stages of the race.

Check out the following video for a look at the course:

Choose between running a single loop (7k), 3 loops (21k), 23 loops (100 miles), or run for 6/12/24 hours and see how many loops you can complete in the time provided. Runners who complete 23 loops (100 miles/161km) will earn themselves a custom belt buckle while all other participants will also be recognized for their hard work with a custom finishers medal.

Looking for something a little different? Try "The Gong Show"! This is an elimination style event, inspired by the Big's Backyard Ultra, that we are super stoked about. Participants will be given 1 hr to complete the 7km loop. Runners who successfully complete the loop within 1 hr (which may seem easy at first but will eventually become very challenging), will wait at the start line until the gong is hit, marking the time cut-off for the loop AND the start of the next loop. Please note: regardless of how fast participants complete their loop, they can't start their next loop until the gong is struck, which will be every hour on the hour. Participants remain in the event until they can no longer finish a loop within 1 hour OR until the race reaches 24 hours. If there is more than 1 runner to start the final loop after 23 hours, the first runner to complete the final loop will be the winner. However, ALL runners that make it to the 23 hour mark will receive a custom belt buckle since they will have run 100 miles. This race is awesome to watch as there is quite a bit of strategy involved. Ideally, runners will want to run a comfortable pace and conserve energy but will also want to leave themselves some time to fuel-up at the aid station and have a short break before heading out for another loop. If you are planning on running the Gong Show Event, you might want to watch the following video for some tips:

In the 6/12/24 hour races there are no DNF's (Did Not Finish). Each runner that starts the race will be recognized for the distance that they complete, regardless of when they stop. In the last 30 minutes before the completion of each timed event, we will have race volunteers stationed at different points on the course to mark how many kms into the loop the participants are when the time is up.

Course Description:

To view a course map, click here, but I wouldn't trust the elevation gain listed. Our watches consistently show 130-140m of gain per loop, not 59m as indicated on the map. Either way, it's runnable!

Counter-Clockwise Loop:

The first 2-2.5km are the most challenging on the loop. This section is made up of rolling hills- no big hills but you will feel them! Once you get to the trail centre, you will have a 2km stretch of rail trail that is slightly downhill the entire way. This is a great spot to recover from the hills. If it is a sunny day, this section will be hot since there isn't a lot of shade. After exiting the rail trail, runners will run down a short but steep hill and will be at the lowest point of the course. The remaining 2.5km is mostly small rolling hills. Although it is entirely runnable, there is definitely more uphill than downhill in this section. This will bring runners back to the Start/Finish area.

Clockwise Loop:

The first 2.5km are completely runnable and very scenic. This section has plenty of gentle rolling hills followed by a steeper climb at the 2.5km mark. The next 2km are basically flat (an ever so slight incline) and take place on an old railway line- don't worry, the tracks have all been removed and this is the easiest section of the course (although it is the easiest section physically, most runners claim that this is the most challenging section mentally). Even though this section is technically the easiest, it is also the section that has the least amount of tree cover, which can be a factor on a hot July afternoon. This leads runners to the trail centre where they can fill up their bottles with cold water without even stepping off the course at the conveniently located "drinking water tap" around the 4.75km mark. The remainder of the course is considered the most challenging part of the loop as the final 2km are the hilliest section. Again, no major climbs, but for the remainder of the loop, runners will find themselves climbing or descending with hardly any flat sections at all.

Aid Stations:

There will be one aid station on the course, which will be located at the start/finish area. Stock up in between loops. There will be water, an electrolyte drink (Skratch Labs), and all of your typical ultra running fare including sweet and salty snacks, pb and j sandwiches, potatoes, and chips. The menu will change as the day goes on. Last year there was grilled cheese, quesadillas, McDonalds fries, and Mr. Noodles. There will also be portable toilets located at the aid station.

For those of you interested in running in the "Gong Show" elimination event, you can hang out at the aid station (start/finish area) after finishing the loop until the gong is hit, at which point you need to get moving if you want to make the next cut-off! The faster you finish your loop, the more time you have to rest and fuel-up.

Pacers:

Gong Show: No pacers in the Gong Show elimination event.

6 Hour: No pacers in the 6 hour.

12 Hour: Pacers are strongly discouraged in the 12 hour day race, but allowed in the 12hr night race. Since the course is 7km, there will be a lot of participants out on the course. However, we don't ever want our participants to be in any danger so if you feel like you need one for safety reasons, by all means, go for it but only in the last 4 hours of the 12hr day event. If you feel like you will need a pacer for safety reasons before this, please message the race director before registering. Participants over the age 65 are welcome to have a pacer at any time. Pacers must sign a waiver and will have to pay the park admission fee at the gatehouse when they arrive on site.

24 Hour and 100 Miles: Pacers will be permitted, if necessary, at 9pm. Pacers must sign a waiver and can only join their runner at the start/finish area. Pacers cannot mule (carry anything for their runner).

Race Swag:

All participants will receive a really cool and buttery-soft t-shirt that you can wear around town to show everybody that you're a bad-ass. (Please note: t-shirt design is subject to change depending on supplier availability).

One of the improvements that we are working towards at Happy Trails Racing is offering gender specific shirt sizing (when possible). For events that offer shirts, such as this race, we are trying to offer our participants the best fit possible.

Runners will now have the option to choose either a Unisex Shirt or a Women's Cut Shirt during the registration process. The title "Women's Cut" is the actual name of the cut. Any person is welcome to choose whichever option they wish.

The race shirt cut-off date is July 1. If you register after July 1, you probably will NOT receive a t-shirt.

Participants in the 7k, 21k, 6hr, 12hr, and 24hr events will all receive a rad race medal (the 2023 medal, bib, and sticker are posted below), unless you run 100 miles, in which case, you will earn yourself a SWEET belt buckle! Participant in the Gong Show get NUTHIN' unless they run 100 miles or win the event. That's part of the fun!

Couch to Tally 7km Run Clinic:

We are excited to once again offer the very popular Happy Trails Racing "Couch to Tally Run Clinic"! This clinic is designed to get you off the couch and running 7km in time for the Tally in the Valley 7km race on July 28, 2024. The 12-week program will be led by our experienced run crew; Kathryn, Nadia, and Tina. This program is meant for people with little/no running experience (or for those who are starting over).

What we will provide:

- A 12-week training plan that includes 3 runs per week (1 group run + 2 self-directed runs) plus optional cross-training suggestions;

-One in person group run each week, scheduled for Tuesdays at 6:30pm, where we will explore trails in the greater Hamilton/Burlington area;

-Entry into the 7km race at Tally in the Valley on July 28, 2024; and

-A safe and supportive environment with like-minded individuals to keep you motivated and moving towards your goals!

What you need to be successful:

-The ability to walk for at least 1 hour before the clinic starts;

-Commit the time to the training plan;

-Have a positive attitude; and

-Have a good pair of running shoes (trail specific shoes are not required for this clinic).

Note: Running is physically demanding on the body, please consult your doctor if you have any injuries, illnesses or concerns prior to registering for the clinic.

The details:

The clinic will run for 12 weeks from April 30 to July 16, 2024. We anticipate that you will need to commit approximately 4 hours per week to training to get the most out of this program, however, this will vary based on your goals, starting point, and ability. We will start with walk/run intervals and will increase the running portion of the interval over the course of the 12-week program.

The Tally in the Valley 7km race will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 10:00am in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. The run clinic fee includes your entry to the 7km race.

In person group runs will be on Tuesdays at 6:30pm. The locations will vary as we explore different trails in the Hamilton/Burlington area. Each weekly group session will last approximately 1- 1.5 hours (including warm-up and cool-down) depending on the distance of the run, speed of the group, and trail conditions. No one will ever be left behind on a group run, there will always be a run lead and a run sweep. We will notify you each week of the location for the run and we will always choose a location with free parking. We will run in all weather conditions except lightning.

If you would like more information or to discuss if this clinic is the right fit for you, please email Tina at tina@happytrailsracing.com.

Post Race Food:

We understand that people have different dietary restrictions, needs, and preferences. Because of this, rather than include the cost of a post-race meal that you may or may not enjoy/ be able to eat, we do not include meals in our race registration fees. We do this to give you the biggest bang for your buck and to try to enhance your experience the best that we can.

Refund Policy:

Happy Trails Racing has a 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. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate cancellations within 30 days of the race. However, participants are welcome to transfer their bib to someone else without any penalty up to 5 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.

Race Reports:

Check out the following Race Recaps: