Red Deer Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K Road Race 2026

The Red Deer Woody’s RV Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K returns to central Alberta on Sunday, May 17, 2026 for its 26th running. Branded locally as Alberta’s Famous River Run, the event is staged in Red Deer and carried forward under the Woody’s RV World banner — a long-standing fixture on the province’s spring road-race calendar.

Runners can choose from a full marathon (42.2 km), a half marathon (21.1 km), a 10K and a kids race. Marathon and half-marathon fields start together at 8:00 a.m., with the 10K following at 8:15 a.m. Race package pick-up takes place the day before the race at Ecole Camille J. Lerouge.

What sets this race apart is its river-valley routing and strong community focus. Courses thread Red Deer’s park and trail system along the Red Deer River — passing Three Mile Bend, Riverbend, Mackenzie Trails and Michener (Ash) Hill — and return to a finish at Ecole Camille J. Lerouge. Every finisher receives a medal, on-course support includes GU20 sports drink and regularly spaced aid stations (roughly every 3 km), and the event raises support for the Red Deer Food Bank. Cash prizes for the top three men and women in each distance and on-site post-race snacks and massage add festival-style perks without losing small-race charm.

Runners who want race apparel should note shirts are ordered at the early-bird deadline (April 1), so register early to secure sizing and race-package items.

• Start and finish at Ecole Camille J. Lerouge School (5530 42A Avenue, Red Deer)
• Mostly flat on asphalt trails with roughly 3 km on packed dirt/gravel
• Landmarks include 67th Street bridge, Riverside Drive, Three Mile Bend Park, Discovery Canyon, Riverbend Loop, Mackenzie Trails and Michener (Ash) Hill
• Two short undulations on course: about 20 m elevation gain over ~150 m on each hill
• Aid stations located roughly every 3 km; kilometer markers posted every kilometre
• Chip timing for all distances (kids race excluded) and free bag drop at the start/finish area

• Scenic river-and-trail course: route follows the North and South Bank Trails along the Red Deer River and passes Three Mile Bend, Discovery Canyon, Riverbend and Mackenzie Trails
• Frequent aid and fuel: aid stations about every 3 km with GU20 sports drink supplied and GU Energy Gel at multiple marathon points (15km, 23km, 30km, 34km and 38km)
• All finishers receive a medal: Marathon, Half, 10K and kids race participants each receive a finisher's medal
• Charity partner: proceeds support the Red Deer Food Bank and its mission to improve local food security
• Prize money for top finishers: cash awards for top three men and women in each distance ($300, $200, $100)