Death Race
Since the start of the millennium, racers have come to the Canadian Rockies to cheat Death in one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons.
Sinister Sports hosts the 118km course, which begins and ends on a 4200-foot plateau, passes over three mountain summits, and not only includes over 17,000 feet of elevation change but a major river crossing at the spectacular Hell’s Gate canyon at the confluence of the Smoky and Sulphur Rivers. The 42km Near Death Marathon could be the toughest marathon you will ever run. It covers the first 42 km of the 118km course and has an impressive elevation gain of 7,000 feet. Each year, extreme athletes push themselves to the limits of their endurance against the breathtaking background of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Well-trained and totally committed, they battle heat, cold, altitude, and their own demons. Finishing is the prize and the bragging rights are priceless.
Date/Start Time:
August 5-6, 2023
- Friday
- 1:00 pm-8:00 pm – Racer Check-In & Package Pickup (Arena, Rec Centre)
- 7:00 pm – Volunteer Meeting (Curling Rink, Rec Centre)
- 8:00 pm – Racer Meeting (Main Stage, Central Park)
- Saturday
- 8:00 am – Race Start (Central Park)
- 5:30 pm – Near Death Marathon Cutoff
- Sunday
- 8:00 am – Race Ends
- 1:00 pm-1:45 pm – Kids Race Check In
- 2:00 pm – Kids Race Begins (Central Park)
- 5:30 pm – Awards (Arena, Rec Centre)
Host Site:
Community Recreation Centre / Central Park
Grande Cache, AB
Distance:
42km Half Death Marathon, 125km Ultra & Relay
Elev. Gain/Loss:
2,132m/6995′ (Marathon) | 5,181m/17,000′ (Ultra)
Duration:
- Marathon – 9.5 hours
- Ultra – 24 hours
1,000 racers*
- Solo = 350 spots reserved until March 15 with up to the maximum on the first day of registration
- Near Death Marathon = 200 spots maximum
- Relay registrations will make up the balance of registrations
*Note that we reserve the right to raise or lower the registration cap without notice.
Registration Opens:
Solos – October 1, 12:00hrs (MST)
Teams – October 1, 14:00hrs (MST)
Registration Deadline:
July 18, 23:59hrs (MST) or when full
Support Crew:
A support crew (someone to move your gear and food) is not required but is recommended for solo runners.
Aid Stations (CPs):
CPs are located throughout each stage of the race.
- All stages will have at least one CP but supplies vary
- Runners are not allowed to cache gear at CPs (picking up or dropping off) but they are encouraged to leave garbage here
- Most CPs are staffed – some have snack food and drinking water available
- Support crews and relay teams are not permitted to meet their runners at CPs
Drop Bags:
Solo competitors may leave a drop bag for each TA. One bag is required per TA as they are not moved during the race. Drop bags MUST be submitted at check in on Friday before the race.
Categories:
- Female Solo – Ultra
- Female Junior – Ultra
- Female Masters – Ultra
- Male Solo – Ultra
- Male Junior – Ultra
- Male Masters – Ultra
- Female – Marathon
- Female Junior – Marathon
- Female Masters – Marathon
- Male – Marathon
- Male Junior – Marathon
- Male Masters – Marathon
- Co-ed Team
- Female Team
- Male Team
