FAB Foundation

Raised: $1,205.00

Goal: $2,000.00

60%

Hamilton Conservation Foundation

Raised: $3,520.00

Goal: $6,000.00

59%

Welcome to SSTR 2025

2025 Sulphur Springs Trail Race

Sat May 24th (100M, 100K, 50M, 50K & 100M Team Relay)

Sun May 25th (10K & 20K)

2025 SSTR RUNNERS GUIDE

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 feet of elevation per 20K loop. Expect to be challenged on this (mostly) double track trail as you are supported with 4 fully stocked Aid Stations along the way.

The Sulphur Springs Trail Race 100K and 100 Mile events are now Western States Endurance Run Qualifying Races. We are proud to be the newest in Canada and the First race in Ontario to serve as a WSER 100 Qualifier. More details are available below.

This is the longest running Ultra Race in Ontario, dating back to 1993. Our 2025 race promises to be the best ever, be sure to grab your bib early; we are planning to sell out again this year!

The 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

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

2024 Race recap:

2023 Race recap:

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

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

Your 2025 Sulphur Springs Trail Race Partners and Sponsors

We at Straw Dog Racing, on behalf of BRC Runners, are proud to announce that the Sulphur Springs Trail Race (SSTR) is officially Ontario’s FIRST Western States Endurance Run (WSER) Qualifier.

Through your help, we have now realized this audacious dream, and we look forward to seeing an SSTR finisher on the start line of the WSER100 as early as June 2025.

All 100 Mile Finishers (*must finish within 30 hours) at the 2025 SSTR, will be granted a Ballot in the December 2025 Bib Lottery for the 2026 running of the WSER 100 Miler.

PLUS!

Due to the elevation gain within our 100K Route: All 100K Finishers (*must finish within 18 hours) at the 2025 SSTR, will be granted a Ballot in the December 2025 Bib Lottery for the 2026 running of the WSER 100 Miler.

Pre-order your SSTR Swag, and we will have it ready for you at Race Kit Pick Up. We aim to cut down on shipping and packaging to keep with our sustainability goals. By pre-ordering on the online Swag Shop you will enjoy the most selection of colours, sizes and designs.

There will also be an on-site Swag Shop on race weekend, however, it will only offer the most popular items, with disappearing quantities and sizing options. To guarantee that you get what you want, pre-order HERE.

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

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 finishing loop experience, as they are cheered on by the more than 700 runners who join the weekend for the 10K and 20K races on Sunday morning. This creates a very energized finisher experience!

Our '100 Mile Club' offers our 100 Mile solo runners an opportunity to store gear, rest between loops, fuel up with special foods and drinks, and a place to keep their pacers happy and dry.

Western States Endurance Run (WSER):

Our Mission was to become the first Trail Ultra in Ontario to offer Ballots for entry into the Western States Endurance Run WSER 100 Miler. And the 2024 finishers helped achieve this for all of us going forward! We take this privilege very seriously, and we promise to deliver a safe, enjoyable and rewarding race weekend. Come and qualify for the WSER 100 at this amazing race.

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.
Runner 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).
An ankle timing chip is passed from runner to runner at the end each 20K loop (in the start/finish area).
Teams do not have any gender designations. All teams are classified as mixed - regardless of the makeup of runners.

ALL Runners TAKE NOTE:

Refer to the Race Website and 2025 SSTR Runner's Guide for full details of Race Rules and Information.

NO CUPS at aid stations. Bring your own vessel/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).
Poles are permitted for use by runners racing distances 50 Miles or longer. Be careful with their use.

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 Juniper trees, are donated immediately after the race to the Hamilton Conservation Authority These trees are planted in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area for all of us to enjoy for years to come.

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Name: Sulphur Springs Trail Race 2025
Start: 2025-05-24T06:00:00-04:00
Location: Morgan Firestone Arena, Ancaster, Hamilton, ON, Canada

The Highest Degree of Difficulty: This aptly named segment of the course, 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 to the finish line. This is sponsored by Degree antiperspirant - helping you to make marks that count.

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2025 Sulphur Springs Swag Shop - NOW OPEN!

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

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

Final day for orders: April 25th, 2025.

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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 entire race weekend 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 Juniper trees, which are donated by Sakura Gardens 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 2025 event is once again Directed by

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

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We are proud to be an Athletics Ontario Sanctioned event!

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A QUICK GLANCE AT OUR 2025 PARTNERS and SPONSORS!

Event schedule

Tue., May 20, 2025 11:00 a.m. - Race Kit Pickup - TBA
Wed., May 21, 2025 11:00 a.m. - Race Kit Pickup - TBA
Thu., May 22, 2025 11:00 a.m. - Race Kit Pickup - TBA
Fri., May 23, 2025 2:00 p.m. - Race Kit Pickup -On Site
Sat., May 24, 2025 5:00 a.m. - Race Kit Pickup - Onsite
Sat., May 24, 2025 5:45 a.m. - START 50M ** NEW **
Sat., May 24, 2025 6:00 a.m. - START 100K ONLY **NEW **
Sat., May 24, 2025 6:15 a.m. - START 100M & 100M RELAY ** NEW **
Sat., May 24, 2025 7:00 a.m. - START 50K
Sun., May 25, 2025 5:30 a.m. - Race Kit Pickup - Onsite
Sun., May 25, 2025 7:30 a.m. - START 20K
Sun., May 25, 2025 8:00 a.m. - CUTOFF: START OF LAST LOOP: 100M;100K;50M
Sun., May 25, 2025 8:30 a.m. - START 10K
Sun., May 25, 2025 12:00 p.m. - CUTOFF: 100K (or DNF)
Sun., May 25, 2025 12:15 p.m. - CUTOFF: 100M (or DNF)
Sun., May 25, 2025 2:00 p.m. - RACE WEEKEND ENDS - site and course 100% cleaned up