The Canadian Death Race 125km
On July 31, 2021, I returned to racing after over 1.5 years off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Similar to many of us, I registered for any races that looked like they might actually go ahead. The Canadian Death Race, just happened to be one of them. So, mid April, roughly 3 months prior to race day, when registration opened I jumped on board and secured my spot. Here is my recap, and if you want to see the behind the scenes, check out the Youtube video Matt put together from the race!
In the week leading up to the race I checked back on more details of the map, though admittedly the map on the race website is not the easiest to plan off of. It is hard to tell exactly where aid stations are and how long different climbs or descents are, but I had a general mental map.
Upon arriving in Grande Cache, Alberta (territory of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation, ᐊᓯᓂᐊᐧᒋ ᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ?) we completed check-in at the sports complex. Then we headed to the racers camping area, just across the highway. For anyone travelling to this race, the racer’s camping area was fantastic. It was quiet, a short drive to the start/finish area, and there are plenty of washrooms available (both outhouses and 1 real bathroom with multiple stalls). I went to bed around 10:00pm, allowing for a great nights sleep before the 8:00am race start.
After 1.5 years of consistent training and a ton of fun adventures, it was finally time to toe the start line. I want to start off with a huge thank you to Matt and Arya (doggo!) for crewing for me through this entire race and supporting me day in and day out on this wild journey of life that just so happens to have a few of these ultra marathons along the way. I am beyond grateful.
Here is how it went:
RACE DAY
Stage 1: Start line to Flood Mountain aid station (~14km, +300m | 8.5mi, 984ft)
This part will be brief as it was a smooth cruise starting off with a few kilometers on the road and then into double track trail. This year we were lucky that it had been so dry, as it was noticeable how muddy this section could be on a wet year.
Arriving to the aid station I stopped to do pre-cooling which included putting ice in my running bra and restocking on food and water. Here is my first return to a racing blooper! I ran away from the aid station without any of my hydration!! Upon doing a quick habitual pack check, patting my chest where the bottles should have been, I u-turned and went back, thankfully only about 30 seconds after leaving the aid station! Whoops, it has been a while! Stage 1 felt like a nice warm up, my main focus was letting myself run at a relatively easy effort and starting my fuelling right away.
Stage 2: Flood Mountain aid station back to town (start/finish area) (29km, +1900m | 18mi, 6233ft)
The start of aid station 2 goes through what appears to be rarely used (read as: race day use only) trails in a mix of dry forest and swampy terrain. This is where there were numerous reports of wasps in prior years and some this year that I found out about after the race. Luckily I passed through unscathed. The trail section is relatively short and then returns to being a forest service road and jeep track style trail.
This climb reminded me a lot of local training runs and I maintained an easy run up, up, and up, until it switched to single track where it was time to use a mix of hiking and running.
From the top, the trail returned to a jeep track style trail until eventually becoming single track. This single track is aggressively steep and I was taking it super easy to protect my feet and toes so early on.
Then, you guessed it, back up. Single track trails that are ankle deep mud start the next climb. This eventually transitions back to wider forest service road and eventually reaches the summit before another aggressively steep, loose and dry downhill. This involved much more timid descending that I would normally race with, again with the goal of remaining vertical.
This section ends back in town at the start finish area and it was really fun to get to feel to energy coming through. At this point I was the leading woman, with Priscilla (spoiler, 1st female, 4th overall) just moments behind me. She left the aid station first, but I reminded myself I wasn’t chasing her and did not need to even consider it this early on.
Stage 3: Start/finish area to Hamel aid station (19km, +600m | 12mi, 1968ft)
This section is a smoother, rolling terrain. Here Priscilla and I traded off between first and second, until creek crossings, where I happily stopped to soak myself. I noticed she was handling the heat without concern. I was truly thrilled to find each creek and did not even consider running past them. I also filled 2 bottles as I was drinking more than I had intended.
Another stop I happily took, was the one when I heard a bear in the bush. This is grizzly terrain after all. I couldn’t see it at this point, but heard continuous thrashing despite my noise making. I waited for the next runner to come up and then together we walked forward, but by this time the bear seemed to be gone. So, I ran onwards, and sure enough within a few seconds, I saw a black bear standing up on its hind legs off in the bush, just watching me and then it turned and ran away as I passed by. Good bear!
I felt the heat of day coming on in this section and the final few kilometers were exposed on a gravel road and then alongside the highway. I was looking forward to cooling off at the aid station and preparing to head up Hamel.
Stage 4: Hamel (38+km, +2400m | 24mi, 7874ft)
Leaving the aid station I took more water than I had been throughout the day, packed ice in my shirt (tucked in), ice in a bandana tied on my neck, and ice in my run bra. I took all the snacks, as it was getting to that point where I wanted to ensure calories were being consumed and not dropping off (though admittedly they did a little!).
The climb up Hamel starts with a jeep track trail through the forest, it was hot but thankfully covered. Then up top it becomes an exposed gravel forest service road and eventually turns to a shale double wide trail. The ridge up top is stunning and was so fun to run before descending.
The downhill was loose, dry, and slick! I again remained conservative. The next section is flowy and at this point in the race, seemed to really go on for quite a while. I think knowing the trails better in this area would have helped with mentally mapping out where I was, and where I was trying to get to. After the next remote aid station there is a 5km loop on forest service road and double wide trail, before a long descent on the gravel road. Then there are a few kilometers until the aid station and before heading into the final leg.
Through this area I was still feeling good, though noticing the distance and heat. I remained curious about the route, kept on taking gels, and celebrated being out on a race course with so many other people! I thought this section was closer to 40km, but that might have just been the 30 degree heat (86F) and smokey air (AQI of Unhealthy on race day) getting to me, or maybe it really was!
Stage 5: Aid station to Finish line (22km, +800m | 14mi 2624ft)
The final stage of the race is not to be underestimated. Although much, much shorter, it has some of the steepest grade climbs of the day! It also has some of the most challenging terrain. This year, the trail up until the boat (yes, there is a boat racers get to take!), was very overgrown. It made moving quickly quite challenging as it was tough to see the ground underfoot. I focused on moving safely, eating, and staying strong as at this time I knew I was in 2nd for women and 5th overall - I wanted to hold onto that.
The boat crossing is early on and it was SO COOL. I proudly turned in my silver coin that racers must carry up until this point. Without it, no boat and no finish, a DNF at the river! Within 3 minutes I was across the river and heading into the final 12-15km. I worked to climb up the steep climbs, run where it was smooth and prepare for my final miles in the dark.
Here is is, the next “return to racing” moment - my headlamp did not work! It was getting dark, I knew light would help and despite checking my headlamp, charing it fully, testing it in days prior, it didn’t work. Why, I will never know for sure! But what I do know for sure is next time I will carry a back up with me. Thankfully in was not so dark and I could make out most of the terrain while safely running along. Thankfully a relay racer (Andy Reed from Canmore, AB) caught up to me and before realizing who it was I said, great I’ll stick with you, I have no light. Upon hearing his voice, I realized, that would definitely not happen, so off he went and I still took great comfort in knowing he was just ahead of me and maybe scaring off any wildlife around.
Once the trail ends it is 3km up a final climb on the forest service road and less than a kilometer back into town to the finish line! Coming in to the finish line was so rewarding and I was ecstatic to have completed The Canadian Death Race! I maintained my 2nd place in the women’s field and 5th overall as a soloist. I felt tired of course, happy to sit and cool off (even to get cold!), and ready to eat a few servings of noodles!
This day was 15 hours of trail racing experience that will be a building block in many of my goals ahead, including my next race, the UTHC 125km in Quebec this September! This race was all about the experience and seeing what happened, so maybe I let myself step back from the racing aspect, but I like to think I set myself up for what is ahead, time will tell!
My gear for race day *I wouldn’t change a thing about this list below & am so grateful for the support as part of the Brooks Run Happy Team*:
Brooks Atmosphere Sleeveless
Brooks Chaser 5inch short
Brooks Catamount trail shoes (2 pairs due to water crossings)
Brooks Drive 3 pocket run bra
Brooks Run happy visor
One final capture from the day that truly sums it up: Miso from a carton is life! If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it.
