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Trail Races Ottawa
Mad Trapper Trail and Snowshoe Series
With over 2 decades of experience, we're Ottawa’s home for singletrack trail racing, snowshoe races, and the world’s most technical backyard ultra.
Looking for trail races in Ottawa?
Mad Trapper Racing is an Ottawa-based trail race organization founded in 2002, hosting year-round trail, snowshoe, road, and backyard ultra events in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.
The Mad Trapper Trail & Snowshoe Series offers one of the most scenic and welcoming off-road running experiences in Eastern Canada. Just 40 minutes north of Ottawa in Denholm, Quebec, our private 164-acre forest features technical singletrack, wide forest roads, and open meadows — perfect for trail running near Ottawa, from 5 km fun runs to ultra-distance events.
Whether you’re training for your first trail race or looking fryour next ultra, you’ll find challenging terrain, friendly faces, and post-race food worth the drive.
Mad Trapper Events
And what makes them truly unique!
The Mad Trapper Snowshoe Series: The OG of Eastern Canada Snowshoe Racing
As the first snowshoe race series in eastern Canada (and second in all of Canada, right behind the Yeti), we’ve set the standard for winter adventure. With an indoor venue and the best post-race buffet around, the social might even beat the race itself!
Sponsored by Atlas Snowshoes, we’ve got rentals covered—no excuses! Join us for three epic races this season, including the famous Bushtukah Night Race.
Click HERE to learn more about the country's oldest snowshoe series - January 3 & 24, February 21, 2026
Mad Trapper Snowshoe Backyard Ultra: The World’s Only Snowshoe BYU
Experience the world’s only snowshoe backyard ultra, featuring two unique distances for maximum inclusivity. The regular loop is a 5.7km challenge, while the “Kristi Loop” offers a slightly shorter 5km option—both designed to be more accessible than a standard summer BYU. Whether you’re in it for multiple laps or just testing your limits, this race is your chance to tackle the snow-covered trails lap after lap in an event like no other.
Click HERE to see if a Snowshoe BYU is right for your - February 28, 2026
The Basset Ear Prediction Run: The ONLY Race of It's Kind
Predict Your Pace, Win the Race! Embark on an 8km journey along an undulating (a nice way of saying "hilly") country gravel road, free from the distraction of watches, phones or any timing devices.
Victory goes to the runner whose predicted time comes closes to their actual finish time, irrespective of when they cross the finish line. Yet, the real prize awaits at the end: indulge in freshly made Basset Ears, our World Famous Mad Trapper Brownies, and BEER!
Click HERE for the world's "Tastiest" race info - April 18, 2026
Mad Trapper Backyard Ultra: The World's Most Technical BYU
Celebrating its 6th year in 2025, the Mad Trapper Backyard Ultra was the first BYU in the region and has earned a reputation as the world’s most technical. This race isn’t just about outlasting your competitors—it’s about conquering rugged, relentless trails that push even the most seasoned runners to their limits.
Each lap challenges your strength, resilience, and mental grit. With no finish line and only one winner, it’s you against the trail, over and over, until there’s just one runner left standing.
Click HERE if you want do discover how far you can really go - June 20, 2026
Camp Fortune Classic: Pure flow singletrack - the way it was meant to be
Held at Camp Fortune in Chelsea, Quebec — just minutes from Ottawa — the Camp Fortune Classic delivers pure singletrack trail running in the heart of the Gatineau Hills. 3K, 5K, and 10K (two-loop) options.
This isn’t a ski-hill grind. The course winds through flowing mountain bike trails with rolling elevation, roots, rocks, bridges, and fully runnable terrain from start to finish. Technical enough to demand focus. Smooth enough to find your rhythm.
Click HERE to learn about the Ottawa OG Trail Race - July 4, 2026
The Mica Run: For the Dogs, WITH the Dogs
Join us at The Ark for the fourth annual Mica Run—a 3k, 5k, or 10k trail race dedicated to supporting dog rescues. This event celebrates trail running at its best, with scenic paths, natural terrain, and great company.
Bring your dog or come solo, and enjoy an epic post-race celebration with burgers, brownies, and ice cream. Friendly dogs are welcome on- or off-leash!
Click HERE if you love dogs! - September 5, 2026
Relentless Trail Race: The OG of Regional Trail Racing
With an 18-year legacy, Relentless is the OG of trail racing in the region, offering distances from 3k to 50k. Set against peak fall colors, runners experience pure single-track trails, with the 30k and 50k options featuring an 18k gravel road prologue for an added test of endurance.
Each twist and turn is designed to challenge, with meticulously cleared trails ensuring a true trail-running experience. Cap off the season with our epic post-race BBQ, a celebration as unforgettable as the race itself.
Click HERE to learn more about the Mad Trapper Flagship event - October 3, 2026
What you need to know:
🏔️ All Mad Trapper races take place at The Ark — our private 164-acre trail venue in Denholm, Québec, just 40 minutes north of Ottawa across the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.
🚗 Free Parking is available on the road (one side only), directly across from the property.
🎽 Bib pickup happens on race day, so plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early.
🍽️ Post-race celebration: Every Mad Trapper race ends with our legendary buffet — fresh food, desserts, and good company. Bring a change of clothes so you can relax and enjoy it!!
Why Trail Runners Keep Coming Back to The Mad Trapper
For more than 20 years, The Mad Trapper has been more than just a race series — it’s a community. From first-time trail runners to seasoned ultramarathoners, everyone who races here leaves with muddy legs, a full belly, and a bigger smile than when they arrived.
This photo says it all — 2½-year-old Asher, our youngest competitor ever, proudly completed the 3 km course in just over an hour. Whether you’re chasing a 50K ultra or hiking your first 3K with family, The Ark in Denholm, Québec is where people of all ages and abilities come to experience trail running near Ottawa at its best.
Our trails are rugged, the food is homemade, and the friendships are real. So lace up, sign up, and discover why the Mad Trapper Trail & Snowshoe Series remains Canada’s most welcoming off-road race tradition.
Trail Racing for Every Season
Spring – Basset Ear 8K
Summer – Camp Fortune Classic
Summer Solstice – Backyard Ultra
Fall – Relentless
Winter – Snowshoe Series
About Mad Trapper Racing
The Ottawa–Gatineau region has become one of Eastern Canada’s most active trail running communities, and Mad Trapper Racing has been part of that growth since 2002.
Founded in 2002, Mad Trapper Racing is Canada’s longest-running trail race organization. Based in the Ottawa–Gatineau region, we deliver year-round trail races, snowshoe events, road prediction runs, and backyard ultras.
Unlike most race organizations, the majority of our events are hosted on our own private 164-acre property in Denholm, Quebec. This means meticulously maintained trails, controlled field sizes, smooth logistics, and a post-race celebration that feels more like a gathering of friends than a mass event.
Race Location: Ottawa & Gatineau Region
"The Ark"
285 ch. de Farrellton,
Denholm, QC
J0X 2C0
Frequently Asked Questions
Can beginner's or the non "hard core" complete your courses?
The Mad Trapper's #1 priority is inclusion and a terrific social experience. NOBODY will ever post their "PB" (personal best) time at any distance. Your mission while your here is to see how far you can push yourself, or if that's not your jam, how much you can enjoy the scenery. About 20% of my racers tell me they are going to "finish last"... but only a few of them ever do! We've had 7 year olds run our courses, people who have NEVER run before, and people with a child on their back! What's cool about Mad Trapper races is the "We're all in this together" attitude. There is no judgement, only support for your decision to participate.
What trail races are available in the Ottawa area?
The Ottawa–Gatineau region has a strong and growing trail running community. Local organizations such as BougeBouge, Ottawa Run (including the Grit & Grind event), and the Vorlage series host a variety of trail races throughout the year, from ski-hill challenges to larger festival-style events.
Mad Trapper Racing is the longest-standing trail race organizers in the region, directing events since 2002. Our races focus on smaller-field, grassroots experiences with technical singletrack, clearly marked courses, and a strong post-race community atmosphere.
While every race organization brings something different to the local running scene, Mad Trapper events are built around personal connection, thoughtful course design, and year-round racing — including trail, snowshoe, road prediction runs, and backyard ultras.
What's in it for "elite" athletes then?
Despite our "community minded" objective, if you doubt our course's ability to challenge you, you have a rude awakening ahead. Before scaring them off completely, we used get our fair share of "Ironman's" here. Ironman is a cakewalk compared to what is in store for you on our trails if you really want to push yourself. We've hosted multiple Olympians, World Champions, and even the World Spartan Ultra Beast Champion. If you really want to see what you're made of, come on out to Relentless or a Backyard Ultra to know for sure.
Are dogs allowed?
We currently have 5 dogs. And aside from Ricky Gervais, there may not be another bigger dog lover on the planet. But the reality is, there are some people with a deathly fear of dogs. So to respect those people, we have a "no dog" policy at all our events except the Mica Run. The Mica Run encourages EVERYONE to bring their dog(s). This is actually a doggie fundraiser, so everyone is welcome... well almost everyone. If you're afraid of dogs, you best stay home.
Are spectators welcome?
Yes, spectators are welcome. However.... please ask them to stay away from the buffet table. At this year's Relentless we had to dip into our own home food reserves to feed the last 50k'ers through because the spectators were helping themselves to the buffet all day long. And of course, not a single one offered us any compensation for the food they consumed. Oh the joy of dealing with the public... There's a reason my closest neighbours are a mile away.
