Do it for the socks!

From jars of honey to the technical finisher socks, PYP is one sweet race! A challenging 12.5k loop through the Heights of Horseshoe in Craighurst, Ontario (Barrie area) awaits you, and runners can choose one of three distances to run including our 12.5k, 25k and 50k races, but what poison will you pick? Each loop presents challenging terrain and climbs that will elevate the heart rate of even the most experienced trail runner. You'll never know what the conditions will be on race day as the variability of Canadian spring weather has given us everything from t-shirt weather to snow! Proceeds from the race go to local social service organizations and the Copeland Forest Friends. Come for the day or stay in the area for the weekend and enjoy the many scenic vistas that Simcoe County has to offer.

Course Description

Out of the chute, start with a quick 500m stretch of logging road and find your place in the pack as you head toward the single track. Enjoy this flat, very runnable section until you pop out at our first aid station. Well, almost at our first aid station. Your first big climb up the ski hill stands between you and some tasty snacks, water, electrolyte and gels from Hammer Nutrition Canada. Continue across the ski hill until you start the descent into the valley, a beautiful rolling series of well maintained single track MTB trails and wide, super runnable and scenic cross country ski trails. When you hit a hill so steep you swear you're in the Rockies, you're almost at the second aid station. Just one more, long slightly uphill single track to blast up before you're there. Off you go again through more single track until you find Little Katie, everybody's favourite climb that gets you on your way to the top of the ski hill. Wave Hi to all the little people at the bottom of the ski hill and snake your way around the crest until you're back at the start. Grab some fuel, or rest for a while in the beautiful chalet at the Heights of Horseshoe before heading out on your next loop.

Choose 1 loop (12.5k), 2 loops (25k), or 4 loops (50k) and enjoy a day on the trails with our generous cut off time. Each loop gives you 343m of glute busting hills that lead to scenic views on our 98% trail based course! Finishers get our one-of-a-kind socks with a new design each year!

Aid Stations

Each loop has 3 aid stations and will stock pop, water, Hammer Nutrition Canada Heed (electrolytes), various candy assortments, chips, pickles and Hammer Nutrition gels. Additional foods like fruit and hot soup may be available.

Lunch

Your race registration comes with a lunch from the Heights of Horseshoe for when you have completed your race. Get those calories you burned back in you with a delicious boxed lunch. When you register you will be asked to make some lunch selections and help us identify any dietary restrictions you might have.

While we don't provide the option to buy more lunches for your family and friends, the restaurant inside the Heights is open during the race and your cheer squad can get a full service warm lunch including drinks.

Registration, Waitlist & Refund Policy

Registration

First come, first served basis.

Capacity

150 runners in each of our 3 distances. 450 runners total.

Wait List

Wait Lists open after all other race entries have sold out. Putting yourself on the Wait List is free and as runners withdraw or defer, runners on the Wait List will be given an opportunity to register for the race. The Wait Listed runners are offered a chance to register based on the order they were added to the Wait List. When opportunities to move off the Wait List come up, you will be notified via email and have 7 days to register from the time of the email being sent. Getting into the race from the Wait List depends on the amount of deferrals. Since we don’t have any control over this, your guess is as good as ours as to whether you'll get a chance to register for the race, but we keep the Wait List numbers low, so make sure you keep up your training! Wait Listed runners will only be charged if they accept the invitation to become a registered runner.

Refunds

We do not offer refunds. Runners can defer to the following year. Deferrals can be carried over for max 2 years. Deferrals can be made up to midnight EST on April 15, 2026.

Distance transfers

Runners can transfer distances leading up to the race up to midnight EST on April 15, 2026. If transferring to a longer distance, runners must pay the difference in registration cost. There is no refund for runners transferring to shorter distances.

Non Binary Category

We are happy to provide a non-binary category open to all individuals who identify as non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, or anywhere along the gender spectrum. It's your chance to showcase your strength, determination, and love for the great outdoors while running alongside a supportive and welcoming community.

PYP is Cupless

Eco-conscious race operation is very important to us and our race is cupless in unwavering support of the environment. Each year our waste footprint continues to be less than one garbage bag and every opportunity we can we continue to eliminate single-use items including no disposable drink cups at aid stations. We encourage participants to bring their reusable containers and hydration systems and they can be filled at the aid stations. This sustainable initiative not only champions the protection of the beautiful natural landscapes we run through but also inspires runners to be mindful of their ecological footprint, embodying the spirit of stewardship for our planet. Join us in this important endeavor as we race for a greener and more sustainable future. We have taken cues from many cupless races and will still have a cup available for warm liquids like soup.

PYP Swag

All participants will receive a jar of local honey and an epic shirt in their kits. Finishers in all distances will receive a pair of unique PYP run socks, but you must finish the distance registered to get your socks. Each year offers a new design for you to race towards, so, do it for the socks!

For more info on the race, please check out our About Us and FAQ page

Pick Your Poison (🅿️☠️🅿️) is a not for profit ultra trail race in support of mental health held annually in April in the Copeland Forest, Barrie, Ontario, Canada