Canadian Death Race

Description: Approx. 6km of pavement, the rest is trail with 3.5km of gravel road. Net elevation loss -500ft. Rolling hills with flat sections, several creek crossings and one significant downhill. This is the 2nd easiest relay section; some say it is the easiest.

Directions: The course will start in downtown Grande Cache. The race start will be led by police escort from Shand Ave. to Hoppe Ave. and along HWY 40 north to the Old Mine Road (a.k.a. the Grande Cache Land Fill Entrance) and double back up the hill on the trail paralleling HWY 40 on the North side. The course will continue past the Grande Cache Saddle Club and veer left at the first cut line. This is where the race will officially start (at 5km mark). The trail will lead around the golf course, down to the car graveyard and follow the old Grande Cache Highway (along the trail on the north side of highway 40 to the horse barns, then cross the highway to the south side and pick up the descending trail that follows the lake shore and comes out at Grande Cache lake boat launch. Follow the gravel road passing the Grande Cache Lake Co-op and turn east (i.e. at the left bend in the road stay straight heading east) on the quad trail approximately 200m before intersecting HWY 40. The trail from here is quad trail and loops out near the highway then goes back into the woods. Keep your head up for the Peavine Lake trail 400m later (every one always misses this) veering to the right (not the one with the fire pit that leads down to Peavine lake, the next one about 50m further on the main trail). Follow the winding quad trail fist down and then up to the top of the ridge and turn right to go out onto the ridge (spectacular view of Peavine Lake and the mountains of Wilmore Wilderness Park). After 50m on the ridge turn left on the small trail descending off the ridge. Pick up the main trail and turn right. After 150m cross Washy Creek and skirt the north end of the CN rail yard passing through a deep mud bog (watch the rocks) which enters the first full aid station and relay exchange zone.

Description: Approx.1km of pavement, the rest is dirt trail, with rocky sections, mossy/swampy in places, and approximately 6km of hard packed dirt “road.” Net elevation gain-500ft, but total elevation change is well over 6000ft. This section is characterized by long sustained climbing, with steep scramble and about 3km of very rough terrain with two creek crossings. The trail from Flood Mt. to Grande Mountain is the roughest section of trail in the Death Race, with treacherous footing, and many drop-offs. The power line down the front of Grande leading back into town will be the most dangerous section in the Death Race because of the extreme nature of the terrain while running downhill - steep rocky drop offs and unstable footing. This is the most technical section and is rated second hardest leg of the Death Race (although many rate this leg as the hardest of all).

Directions: From the 1st full aid station, racers will exit the rail yard and cross the highway (about 150m west of the train bridge) and proceed up the Flood Mountain Trail to the summit. As you approach the summit, keep a sharp lookout for flagging tape that denotes the steep but direct assent to the peak (we marshal this point on race day. Loop around the survey poll and follow the quad trail west from the summit around the back side of Flood Mt. and gain the Flood to Grande Trail survey line. This is a rough and steep section crossing Washy Creek and traverses the high country from Flood Mountain to Grande Mountain (crossing Carconte Creek). At the intersection of the survey line trail and the Grande Cache Radio Tower road there will be an emergency aid station available. Racers will proceed to the summit of Grande Mountain and down the front power line back into town (to the respective start/finish area) along the trail beside HWY 40, turning on Shand Ave. and taking the first left into the Grande Cache downtown square. This will be the 2nd full aid station, and the 2nd relay exchange zone.

Description: 5km of pavement, the rest is dirt road with several creek crossings (one creek runs right down the trail as you descend the first part of the Mine Rd., making for very slippery and rocky terrain for 30m. Further along you will come to the "Creek Trail," which is exactly that, the creek runs down the trail (the flow is against you, of course) stops momentarily as you ascend a small rise and then you pass through the lowest point in the race, hitting the very bottom of the Smoky River valley floor, with the corresponding knee deep water for 25m. If it’s a wet summer it's worse. If it's dry it's better (although wet feet are practically unavoidable). Net elevation loss of about 1000ft. This section is the fastest and easiest section of the race and one of the most beautiful, offering stunning views of the Smoky River valley.

Directions: From the 2nd full aid station racers return to Shand Ave. via the Pine Plaza parking lot and follow the back alley between the hospital and residential houses. Turn right at the Legion toboggan hill - then proceed down the toboggan hill and across HWY 40 to the Old Mine Road (which is also the entrance to the Town landfill site. As you enter the Old Mine Road head straight past two roads on your left and proceed up, up the steep hill past "Raven’s Haven" and crest the incline some 300m later. From here it's all downhill to the Train Bridge. At the half way point racers will pass under the train bridge, then pass by a small sawmill (2.5km after the train bridge) where the dirt road widens (and blackens with coal dust) as it approaches the mine. Follow this road until the mine site comes into view and proceed to the Mine Bridge, crossing it onto the highway. From this point racers will head south on HWY 40 for about 3.5km to the North Hamel Access Field – a wide open field on the West side of the Highway (at this field will be the third full aid station and relay exchange zone).

Description: Mostly dirt trail and hard packed/gravel surface. Net elevation gain is zero, but total elevation change is well over 6500ft, which practically comes all at once. The ascent of Hamel is broken into two very, very long steady climbs, with one small reprieve as you gain the shoulder of Hamel at the mid-point. The descent is strewn with boulders and some deep ruts. Overall, the downhill is not that technical but watch your ankles as the fall will be on very unforgiving ground (read smash your melon - also re-read the waiver section about being in remote areas and not being rescued in time to prevent serious injury or death.) At the intersection of the Hamel and Beaver Dam cross trail turn right, keep your head up or you'll run right by the turn off. The Beaver Dam cross trail is flat-ish, the Ambler Loop is much the same and the decent down the Beaver Dam road is gravel (watch for animals and traffic). Turn right at the highway and head south to the Hell’s Gate Road access field (West side of road) across from the cement plant. This entire leg of the race is fantastically scenic.

Directions: From the third full aid station racers will follow the highway for 1km and then ascend a small dirt and rocky road on to the right. Immediately entering a small clearing, ascend the dominant and switch-backing trail veering right until a multi-trail intersection comes into view at a small flat clearing. Take the 2nd trail from your left hand side directly ahead (follow orange flagging tape and orange paint). Follow this trail (down for 400m) as it descends slightly working its way around the back of the mountain and then up the steep switchbacks to the forestry lookout tower that will be in clear view as you rise above tree line. The Trail is well marked with death race markers, paint and flagging tape, so keep your eyes open and follow them. You will pass the Hamel Escape station where racers may bail out if they have had enough. Watch for the steep switchback on the right (lots of people miss this) as you gain the final clover and shale covered slopes to the summit. At the forestry tower on the summit of Hamel runners must check-in to the tower first and then traverse part way out to the spectacular cliff bluffs at Hells Canyon to retrieve a prayer flag (proof that you have made the turnaround point) and back to the tower. Racers then head down the south access road and turn right onto the Beaver Dam/Hamel cross trail, which takes the short cut to the Beaver Dam Road. At the intersection of the Beaver Dam Road and the shortcut trail there is an emergency aid station. Racers will then complete the Ambler Loop (counter clockwise direction) and descend on the Beaver Dam Road to the highway. At HWY 40 turn right and head south following the quad track that parallels the highway in the ditch on the west side (absolutely no racers on the highway for this portion of the race.) Cross Gustavs Creek then Malcolm Creek and head straight for the 4th and final full aid station and the 4th relay exchange zone 400m after the creek at the Hell’s Gate Road access field (across from the cement plant).

Description: 1km pavement, 6km gravel road, one raft crossing, and the rest dirt trail, grass, and single track. Net elevation change of over 2500ft. For most runners this leg will be completed in darkness, with much of the trail under a heavy canopy of trees, eye protection is required if you will be navigating any of this leg at night (read: poke your eye out). This section is marked exceptionally well, and somewhat comically with reflective markers, flags and signs. (Running at night - we recommend you bring a halogen headlamp with brand new alkaline batteries. Flashlights are okay but not as good. Also, training on this relay portion during the daylight is highly recommended.)

Directions: From the 4th full aid station racers head into the woods at the north west end of the Hell’s Gate Access Road Field and follow this tight twisty trail, to a larger well-developed trail that heads south. This trail will exit onto the Sulphur Gates Road across from the Hell’s gates emergency aid station about 5km later. Cross the Hell’s Gate road and head down to the Boat Launch road which is located on the east side of the road across from the first parking lot. Now descend down to the river, staying left at the fork. You will be ferried across the Smoky River by the professional river guides from Wild Blue Yonder White Water Rafting, who all volunteer their time! There will be an emergency aid station on the west bank of the river only, at the first parking lot. You will be given an embossing card to stamp at the mailbox embossing station about 7km hence (*if the new timing system is in effect this procedure will be replaced by a remote timing station, where racers will have to punch in to register at as usual as they pass). From the raft crossing, racers will then proceed up the east shore of the Smoky River and follow the trail up to the Sulphur Rim trail. From the Rim trail, passing the mail box embossing station (must stamp your embossing card, or register at the timing station with individual timing device if new timing system is in place), them 2.5km later pass the Firemen's park, and head up the Fireman's Park road, and onto 104th street. From 104th street turn right onto Hoppe Ave. From Hoppe Ave., enter the Chalet Foods/Subway parking lot and follow the pavement and pylons to the finish in the downtown square (North Parking lot – just follow the noise and cheering!).

Hey! What were you thinking?

Please note that this is an adventure race and the great distances between aid stations, the remoteness of the territory, and the rough terrain will require racers to carry an adequate supply of water, food and safety equipment (see equipment check list). Be prepared for wildlife. The racers that finish the Death Race under the cutoff times will be well trained and well prepared. Plan the finish of the race from the very first steps at the race start. Take more food and water then you think you will need. This is not a 5km race with aid stations at every kilometer. This is a wilderness adventure race of epic proportions.

We cannot stress enough that you have a well thought out strategy in place for making it to the end of this monster. In 2001 we took a racer off of Grande Mountain for dehydration and then on Hamel Mountain we had to rescue about 8 people for hypothermia - this is typical mountain weather so prepare yourself. Here are a couple of my favorite stories from the last few years that, in retrospect, give me a chuckle. I hope that the people that I'm talking about can also now laugh at their predicament:

In the Death Run of 2000 at the end of leg three I was stopped by an athlete, on a relay team, in a world of hurt. The runner had only brought one small water bottle for a 22km stretch in scorching 36C heat. Well of course this was less then half the amount needed, and as such the person was quite delirious from dehydration. I sat back and listened to a lively and animated lecture over the need for more water stations because it was too tough going for a 22km stretch without aid stations. When the lecture was over I asked if they had read the Death Warrant (Waiver) that they signed. The racer said, “yes, but I though you guys were kidding.” Well folks, this is the Death Race and we ain’t kidding. Bring water - lots. Bring food - lots. And train really, really hard. No kidding!

In the Death Run of 2001 a particularly strong athlete was on course to set a new record and win. These racing elite's are typically victim of their own humility and so it was with him. Summitting in only shorts and a tank top a terrible weather front moved in and . . . to make a long story short . . . as he was bundled up by search and rescue his last words to his rescuers were, "this race puts the lives of racers in danger." Which I think is actually an overstatement but the racer certainly didn't help the situation by not carrying a jacket.

In the Death Run of 2002 two racers saw a bear and ran for cover. They were paralyzed with fear and didn't want to risk moving. By the time search and rescue caught up with them the bear had long since moved on but in their hysteria they still "saw a bear," cleverly disguised as a shadow. I believe the words, "come on out of the bushes guys, you're embarrassing yourselves!" had the appropriate calming effect. What was unpleasant was the argument that ensued where the two racers wanted more time to complete the race. Sorry guys, racing in the mountains is a very unpredictable business and we have time cutoffs for a variety of safety and logistical reasons. You might time out because of weather, you might time out because of an injury, and you may even time out because of a bear. It may break your heart to be taken off the course but lets not pull kick and scream over it. Besides we don't want you to embarrass yourself.

It is the "Death Race" but we aren't out to kill anyone. But be warned this race is very unforgiving to those that are not prepared. The winner of 2001's Death Ride took me aside at the awards presentation and said that, "Every race organizer wants to bill their race as the toughest, and so after a while you read race information with a grain of salt, but you guys weren't kidding. This is the hardest race I've ever done, and I've done a few (including, La Ruta, Leadville 100, and I Did a Bike). This is the first race I've done that truly felt epic." Now I'm not saying that this is the hardest race out there, it's probably not, but it is one tough race. Almost everyone that does the race says it was harder then they thought. Makes me laugh when people ask, "come on, how hard can it be?" - the answer is Hard! How bad can it be? - Bad! How tough can it be? Tough! The question really is, "how tough are you?"

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Canadian Death Race Course Description & Directions