Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run

Overview

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Distance: 30 miles / 48km

The Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run is a challenging 30-mile trail race from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove on the North Shore of Vancouver, BC, Canada. The run is not-for-profit, produced entirely by volunteers and raises funds for North Shore Search and Rescue.

This is one of North America's oldest ultramarathons, started by a group of 8 runners in 1989. Trailrunning has grown significantly over the years and we work hard to maintain a grassroots, community vibe. Currently, participants are chosen through random selection - see further details below.

Course

Ascent: 8000' / 2438m

Descent: 8300' / 2529m

The course traverses Baden Powell Centennial Trail between Whyte Lake and Deep Cove on Vancouver’s North Shore. The trail is subject to annual maintenance and the course may have slight changes year to year. Any changes are communicated in advance as much as possible, and on the day of the event the course is always well marked / flagged.

You can download a GPX file of the 2025 route at kneeknacker.com

You can view an image of the classic course map in our Runner’s Guide

Schedule

Details

Start: 6:00 AM, Whyte Lake Parking Area, West Vancouver, BC

PILOT PROGRAM FOR 2026: Early Start Option

For 2026, runners may choose an Early Start beginning at 5:30 AM, which is 30 minutes before the official 6:00 AM start. This option must be selected through your RaceRoster account no later than 11:59 PM on June 15. Participants in the Early Start Option will not be eligible for placement or prizing. Details on your Race Roster registration page, which will remain accessible after the registration process.

Finish:

Panorama Park, Deep Cove, North Vancouver, BC

Parking (near finish area in Deep Cove only - there is NO PARKING AT THE START LINE):

Parking for runners taking the free 4:45a, 4:50a, 4:55a shuttles to the start: Seycove & Cove Cliff school parking lots in Deep Cove. For further details visit kneeknacker.com / Runner’s Guide

Later in the day, parking for volunteers and spectators in Deep Cove is very challenging. Please check this website for tips: https://www.dnv.org/streets-transportation/summer-parking-deep-cove

Aid Stations:

The course has 9 aid stations, for further details visit kneeknacker.com / Runner’s Guide

Drop Bag:

Runners can bring a small drop bag to the start for transport to the Cleveland Dam aid station. Bags will then be transported to the finish line.

Cupless:

To reduce waste, our event is cup-free. Please bring your own cup for fluids at aid stations and at the finish line.

Poles:

Hiking / trekking / running poles are NOT ALLOWED.

Aid Stations and Cutoffs:

10-hour overall cutoff time and multiple aid station cutoff times.
Full details at kneeknacker.com / Runner’s Guide

10 Essentials:

We encourage everyone to always carry the 10 Essentials for backcountry safety in your pack – whether you’re out training or adventuring on your own or with friends, or participating in an organized event, you can never predict what might happen. Learn more about the 10 Essentials in this article by North Shore Rescue.

Pregnancy Deferral, Race Rules and Prizing:

Full information regarding pregnancy deferrals, complete race rules and prizing details are at kneeknacker.com

Results

Race results for previous years are available at kneeknacker.com

Register for Random Selection

Register for random selection for a chance to participate in the 2026 Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run from 7am Pacific Time Dec 15, 2025 until 11:59pm Pacific Time Jan 31, 2026.

Random selection will take place Feb 2, 2026. Selected participants will be informed “live” online via the Knee Knacker Facebook page between 7pm - 9pm Pacific time, and subsequently via email.

There is no fee to register for random selection. You will be asked to provide payment information. If selected, you will be charged the registration fee of CAD $175 plus RaceRoster fees and any merchandise or add-ons if applicable.

You may withdraw your registration (before or after the random selection date) by logging in to RaceRoster.com and editing your registration.

Race entries are non-transferable and non-deferrable except for pregnancy.

Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run and RaceRoster do not provide refunds.
During the registration process there is an option to purchase registration refund protection.

After the random selection, there are NO FURTHER SPOTS available to participate in this event.