Name: Sulphur Springs Trail Race 2026
Start: 2026-05-23T06:00:00-04:00
Location: Morgan Firestone Arena, Ancaster, Hamilton, ON, Canada

Sulphur Springs Trail Race 2026

2026 Sulphur Springs Trail Race

Saturday May 23rd 2026

100 Mile 100K 50 Mile 50K Trail Races

100 Mile Team Relay (max 8 runners)

50 Mile NIGHT Relay (max 4 runners)

Sunday May 24th 2026

10K & 20K Trail Races

Join us for another exciting weekend of trail racing. This event sells out every year, and has an atmosphere that is unparalleled on the Ontario Trail Racing scene.

The race uses a looping course that traverses over 500m/1500ft of elevation gain per 20K loop. Nestled in the town of Ancaster, Ontario, the Dundas Valley is home to a beautiful old Carolinian forest, complete with a (mostly) double track trail network that will challenge you and reward you at the same time. Don't dare miss this event, it is Canada's oldest Ultra trail event, and quite likely it's largest. It is also Ontario's only WSER 100 Qualifier!

SSTR 2026 Managed by the team at

This is a BRC Event.

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 1992. Our 2026 race promises to be another great one - get your bibs early, this race sells out!

The Sulphur Springs Trail Race Map - featuring 4 Aid Stations for your safety and enjoyment. Note: Our 50K route starts with a 20K loop, followed by 2x20K loops.

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 fruit. 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.

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

Sulphur Springs is a 2027 Western States Qualifying Race

We are proud to be selected as a Western States Qualifying Race for 2027. We accept this honour with gratitude and respect for all of those runners who are seeking a bib at the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) .

As we embark on our 3rd year as a qualifying race, we look forward to seeing more and more SSTR runners on the start AND finish lines of the WSER100.

For runners to earn a ballot for the 2027 WSER:

2026 SSTR 100 Mile Finishers must complete our 100 Mile event in under 30 hours

2026 SSTR 100K Finishers must complete our 100K event within 18 hours

Runners who finish within the above guidelines, will earn a ballot in the December 2026 Lottery for the 2027 running of the WSER 100 Miler.

Please NOTE: 2026 SSTR Runners can ONLY earn a ballot in the event they have registered to start.

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 and a WSER 100 Miler entry ballot 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 unique and 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 of 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.

We will send an email when the Swag Shop is up and running. Runners are encouraged to 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 SSTR Swag Shop, you will enjoy the best 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, please pre-order by April 26th, 2026. We are proud to partner with Axis Gear.

ALL Runners TAKE NOTE:

Refer to the Race Website and the 2026 SSTR Runner's Guide for full details on Race Rules and General Race Information. Here are some very important elements of the 2026 SSTR for all runners to understand.

NO CUPS at aid stations. Bring your own vessel/reusable cups/water bottles etc.
NO PETS are allowed in any race event.
NO STROLLERS are allowed in any race event.
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 the use of your poles around other runners.
We appreciate you!

SSTR 2026 Runner's Guide

For rules, regulations, route map files and to answer MOST of your questions, please refer to the 2026 SSTR Runner's Guide. If you still have questions, email Mauro at sulphursprings@burlingtonrunners.com

2026 Sulphur Springs Trail Race Sponsors

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

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

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

In concert with your donations from the race registration page, we also support the Fit Active Beautiful Foundation and the Hamilton Conservation Foundation financially.

In addition to financial support, 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.

We were proud to be a 2026 Athletics Ontario Sanctioned event. We have submitted for our sanctioning, and we are awaiting our 2026 logo.

Event schedule

Wed, May 20, 2026 11:00 a.m. - Race Kit Pickup: 1100-1800; TBA
Thu, May 21, 2026 11:00 a.m. - Race Kit Pickup: 1100-2000; TBA
Fri, May 22, 2026 10:00 a.m. - Race Kit Pickup: 1000-1300; TBA
Fri, May 22, 2026 3:00 p.m. - Race Kit Pickup; 1500-2000; On Site @ Start/Finish Line
Sat, May 23, 2026 5:00 a.m. - Race Kit Pickup; 0500-0630; On Site @ Start/Finish Line
Sat, May 23, 2026 5:45 a.m. - START 50 MILE ONLY
Sat, May 23, 2026 6:00 a.m. - START 100K ONLY
Sat, May 23, 2026 6:15 a.m. - START 100 MILE & 100 MILE RELAY
Sat, May 23, 2026 7:00 a.m. - START 50K ONLY
Sat, May 23, 2026 6:00 p.m. - START 50 MILE NIGHT RELAY
Sun, May 24, 2026 5:30 a.m. - Race Kit Pickup; 0530-0800; On Site @ Start/Finish Line
Sun, May 24, 2026 7:30 a.m. - START 20K ONLY
Sun, May 24, 2026 8:00 a.m. - CUTOFF: START OF LAST LOOP: 100M;100K;50M
Sun, May 24, 2026 8:30 a.m. - START 10K ONLY
Sun, May 24, 2026 12:00 p.m. - CUTOFF: 100K (or DNF)
Sun, May 24, 2026 12:15 p.m. - CUTOFF: 100M (or DNF)
Sun, May 24, 2026 2:00 p.m. - RACE WEEKEND ENDS - site and course 100% cleaned up