Pick Your Poison Trail Run 2026

This page is kept as a past race archive for the Apr 25, 2026 edition in Barrie, ON. Use the links below to find upcoming races in the same area or distance category. You can also browse the 2026 race calendar.

Pick Your Poison Trail Race lands each spring in the Heights of Horseshoe, just north of Barrie, Ontario. The 2026 edition takes place on April 25 and is directed by Trish Mintz and Rhonda Marois — a race team that has carried the event forward since it began in 2010. Now in its sixteenth year, PYP has grown into a well-loved community fixture for early-season trail runners in Simcoe County.

The event runs a single-loop 12.5K course through the hills of Copeland Forest; that loop is the building block for all distances. A 12.5K is one loop, the 25K is two loops and the 50K is four loops. Start times on race day are staggered: 8:00 a.m. for the 50K, 8:30 a.m. for the 25K and 9:30 a.m. for the 12.5K. All distances observe a 5:00 p.m. finish cutoff, with 50K runners required to begin their final lap by 2:30 p.m.

Pick Your Poison emphasizes community and inclusion as much as it emphasizes tough spring trail running. The race operates as a not‑for‑profit and donates proceeds to local mental health programs and the Copeland Forest Friends. Runners can expect spring‑variable conditions — everything from t‑shirt weather to mud and even late snow — challenging climbs, hand‑crafted awards and thoughtful race swag (past years have included technical finisher socks and local artisanal items). On-course fueling is backed by community partners and a full post-race boxed lunch is provided via a meal ticket.

Registration for PYP uses Race Roster; the race caps the field at 450 runners (150 per distance). For 2026 the event lists as sold out but maintains a Race Roster waitlist and a deferral policy for entrants who need to move their entry to a future year.

• Start/finish at The Heights of Horseshoe, 1106 Horseshoe Valley Rd., Horseshoe Valley (Heights of Horseshoe venue in Copeland Forest).
• Single 12.5K loop through the Heights of Horseshoe and Copeland Forest — 25K is two loops, 50K is four loops.
• Trail terrain with challenging climbs, spring‑variable conditions (mud, wet roots, occasional late snow) and scenic vistas across Simcoe County.
• Three aid stations per loop stocked with water, electrolytes, candy, chips, pickles and sometimes PB&J sandwiches and hot soup; Hammer Nutrition provides Heed and gels at aid stations.

• Women-owned and inclusive: Directed by Trish Mintz and Rhonda Marois with explicit policies for equal prizes, gender-specific shirts, a non-binary category and accommodations for other-abled athletes.
• Looped 12.5K course: The same challenging 12.5K loop is used for all distances — 12.5K (one loop), 25K (two loops) and 50K (four loops).
• On-course fueling partner: Hammer Nutrition supports aid stations with Heed and gels alongside water, electrolytes and snacks.
• Charity-focused PYP: Operates as a not-for-profit with proceeds going to local mental health programs and the Copeland Forest Friends.
• Post-race meal and tangible swag: Every runner receives a boxed lunch ticket at the finish; past editions have included technical finisher socks and locally made products.