At Happy Trails Racing, we really try our best to offer a wide range of trail running experiences. Most of our events are perfect for all experience levels, including runners that have never done a trail race before.
THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE RACES!
This race is hard. Like, really hard.
With multiple major climbs, this course will have participants reaching the highest point of the entire 900km long Bruce Trail. Two of the climbs will have participants climbing close to a 1000 feet on each climb. The climbs are steep and the descents are nasty. In total, runners in the 66.6km event will climb close to 6000 feet.
This isn't going to be easy, but it is going to be memorable!
Believe it or not, we started working on this race in 2019. It was difficult to plan because we really tried to figure out a way to make it achievable for all ability levels. We threw that plan out the window and here we are!
Highlights of the race:
-Bombing down the steep slopes of the Devil's Glen Ski Club (but also climbing up!)
-Crawling through (literally crawling through) the "keyhole" on the "Keyhole Side Trail".
-Running along side the Mad River
-Passing the "Freedom Rock" and "Best Caves"
-Climbing the hills of the Pretty River Valley Provincial Park up to the highest point on the Bruce Trail (66.6k only)
-The entirety of the race takes place on the Bruce Trail (with some short, but special, sections on Side Trails with Blue Blazes)
-This event will support the Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club. $20 from each registration will go directly to the club.
The Beast- 66.6km. A little bit of heaven and a little bit of hell!
This course is the real deal. You need to do some hill training for this beast. This is not your typical trail race and you won't find anything else like this in the province. Expect some seriously slow kilometres and don't expect to make up any time on the descents - they are long and steep. The kind that of descents that jam your toes into the end of your shoes and cause you to lose toenails a couple weeks after the race.
It's probably going to be hot. There will probably be some bugs. You will earn your finisher's medal with this race.
Runners will get to do it all - Devil's Glen Ski hill climb and descent, crawl through the keyhole (or take the longer way around), ascend the brutal climbs of Pretty River up to the highest point of the Bruce Trail and then shuffle down.
There are 4 "major climbs" and lots of "medium climbs". In total, there will be close to 6000' cumulative feet of climbing.
The cut-off time for this event is 13 hours, which is 5.12km per hour (a 11:43/km). It will be dark by 8:30pm on race day and all runners must be off the course before dark.
The Half Beast- 33.3km
With around 2500' of elevation gain, this course will test your limits. Two major climbs and descents, the same hot and buggy conditions as the full course, and you will still have to crawl through the keyhole (or take the longer way around).
As you can see by the elevation profile below, you are pretty much always going up or down so don't expect to just settle into a comfortable pace and check off the kilometres- this will be work. Also, for those of you who have not yet experienced descents like these, they are tough - long, steep, and quad-crushing.
The cut-off for this event 12 hours, which means that it is suitable for experienced hikers. There is plenty of time to get it done for those who are willing to put in the work!
The Mini Beast- 15km
There is really nothing "mini" about this. As you can see by the elevation profile, runners will have one major climb and descent. The cumulative elevation gain is close to 1200' and most of that comes at you all at once in the first 5km of the race.
Those who take the climb "slow and steady" will be rewarded and will get to really enjoy the view from the top. Participants will also crawl through the keyhole trail (or take the longer way). Again, like with the other events, be prepared for a hot day,
This course will take most participants 2-4 hours to complete and is definitely the best option for participants without a lot of trail running experience. It will be challenging but will also offer great views, truly unique landmarks, and awesome aid stations.
Don't Lose Your Key!
All participants will receive a Skeleton Key before the start of the race. You will be required to show your key at various checkpoints throughout the race. It's a really cool keepsake after the race but, be warned, if you lost your key - your race is over!
Whatever you do, DO NOT LOSE YOUR KEY!
You'll learn more about this after you register.
Aid Stations
We will punish you with the course but reward you with the aid.
The aid stations will offer plenty of support. Electrolyte drinks, salty snacks, sweet snacks, pickles, pb and j, and much more. Most importantly, the aid stations will have friendly and encouraging volunteers that are there to support you.
Aid Stations will be less than 10km apart so you can carry a little less on those climbs. However, keep in mind that a lot of this course is highly technical and hilly so you should expect some very slow kilometres. Be prepared.
Please keep in mind that this event, like all Happy Trails Racing events, is a cup-less race so you will need to have a collapsible cup or bottle to fill at the aid stations.
Race Swag
We have some really cool stuff planned for this one. Participants can expect a really great race kit that will include:
-Race Bib
-Race Sticker
-Race Shirt (softspun, available in unisex or women's cut, badass design)
-Skeleton Key (you'll learn more about this but you will have to carry it at all times)
-Finishers will earn a rad Finisher Medal. Again, super cool design for this one!
-Race Photos from our favourite race photographer, Sue Sitki
Plus, you can feel good knowing that $20 from your registration fee went directly to the Bruce Trail Club!
SCHEDULE:
6:30am - Race Kit Pick-Up for the 66.6km runners. This process will be fast so don't feel like you need to arrive super early.
7:30am - 66.6km race starts
7:45am- Race Kit Pick-Up for the 33.3km runners.
8:30am- 33.3km race starts
8:45am- Race Kit Pick-Up for the 15km runners.
9:30am- 15km race starts
8:30pm- Race Cut-off
Refund Policy:
Happy Trails Racing has a great 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.
Also, please note that we don't have waitlists. If spots open up they will be available on Race Roster so check back occasionally.
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
The Beast- 7:30am Start Opening soon
Registration opens in 6 days 22 hours-
-
$116.62
Opening Day Pricing
Mar. 1 – Mar. 1 -
$122.07
Early Bird Pricing
Mar. 2 – Mar. 31 -
$127.51
Regular Pricing
Apr. 1 – Jul. 22
-
The Half Beast- 8:30am Start Opening soon
Registration opens in 6 days 22 hours-
-
$100.28
Opening Day Pricing
Mar. 1 – Mar. 1 -
$105.72
Early Bird Pricing
Mar. 2 – Mar. 31 -
$111.18
Regular Pricing
Apr. 1 – Jul. 22
-
Mini Beast- 9:30am Start Opening soon
Registration opens in 6 days 22 hours-
There is nothing "mini" about this. 15k with one major climb and nearly 1200' of elevation gain.
-
$83.94
Opening Day Pricing
Mar. 1 – Mar. 1 -
$89.39Mar. 2 – Mar. 31
-
$94.83Apr. 1 – Jul. 22
-
Contact information
- Event contact
- Jeff Rowthorn
