Canadian Death Race 2025

This page is kept as a past race archive for the Aug 2, 2025 edition in Grande Cache, Alberta. Use the links below to find upcoming races in the same area or distance category. You can also browse the 2025 race calendar.

The Canadian Death Race is one of the world's most iconic ultramarathons, held annually in the rugged wilderness of Grande Cache, Alberta. Since its inception at the turn of the millennium, the event has attracted elite endurance athletes and adventurous runners from around the globe, all eager to test their limits against the formidable Canadian Rockies. The race is renowned for its grueling 118-kilometer course, which challenges participants with three mountain summits, over 17,000 feet of elevation change, and a dramatic river crossing at Hell's Gate canyon.

Racers must be prepared for rapidly changing and often extreme weather conditions, ranging from intense heat to cold and wet environments. The event is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one, demanding resilience, preparation, and determination. Completing the Canadian Death Race is a badge of honor, offering participants a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that few other races can match.

The Canadian Death Race course is a formidable 118 kilometers long, beginning and ending on a 4,200-foot plateau in Grande Cache. The route features a mix of pavement, singletrack trails, gravel roads, and quad trails, with rolling hills, flat sections, and multiple creek crossings. The most notable features are the three mountain summits that racers must ascend and descend, contributing to a total elevation gain of approximately 5,181 meters (17,000 feet). The course also includes the infamous Hell's Gate canyon river crossing, which can be a significant challenge depending on water levels and weather. Runners must be prepared for a wide range of conditions, as the weather can shift rapidly from hot and dry to cold and wet, adding another layer of difficulty to this already demanding race.

• 118-kilometer ultramarathon traversing three mountain summits
• Over 17,000 feet (5,181 meters) of elevation change
• Hell's Gate canyon river crossing at the confluence of the Smoky and Sulphur Rivers
• Diverse terrain: pavement, trails, gravel roads, quad trails, creek crossings
• Extreme and unpredictable weather conditions
• Four event options: 118k Ultra Solo, 118k Relay, Near Death Marathon (42k), Kids' Death Race