The Maddest Trail & Snowshoe Racing Series
Technical, flowy trails. Legendary finish-line feasts. World-famous brownies. And the kind of community that turns first-timers into regulars.
Proudly supported on and off the trail
These brands and organizations support the Mad Trapper community and connect our races to the wider trail-running world.
Canada’s original trail & snowshoe race series
For nearly 25 years, Mad Trapper has been bringing runners and snowshoers together on the trails just north of Ottawa. Since 2003, the formula has stayed pretty simple: challenging, technical trails, genuine hospitality, great food, and a welcoming community that keeps people coming back.
Real trails. Relentless terrain.
These aren’t ski resort climbs where the decision is obvious. Mad Trapper trails live in that uncomfortable middle ground — hills that are just runnable enough to tempt you, but steep enough to make you question whether you should. Add roots, rocks, mud, twists, turns, and technical descents, and the challenge never really lets up. New to trail running? Start with the 5K or 10K. Looking for more? Work your way up to the 21K, 50K, or 50 miler.
A feast is waiting at the finish line
When you make it back to The Ark, the reward is more than a medal. Mike and Monique are waiting with hearty homemade snowshoe chili, summer burger BBQs, world-famous brownies, and deep-fried Basset Ear pastries. Add a cold beer, a few good stories, and a finish-line crowd that sticks around, and the post-race celebration becomes part of the Mad Trapper experience.
Come for the trails. Leave as part of the family.
Mad Trapper is more than just races. It’s a gathering. Runners swap stories inside The Ark, share a homemade meal, and celebrate together long after the finish. You may arrive knowing no one, but you won’t leave that way.
More Than a Race. A Whole Experience.
Technical Trails
The Ark
Camping Zone
Feast
Brownies
Cold Beer
Index Points
And much more...
Tough trails make better stories
5.0/5.0
Based on many Facebook reviews
Laura Wheeler
Val-des-Monts, QC
My first race ever. Great participants - very welcoming for a newbie. Lovely hosts with great food & drink when we finished.
Paula Walmsley
Chelsea, QC
A great snow shoe race with a fun group of people!
Cody Taylor
Cornwall, ON
You feel like you’re part of a family when you run one of mad trappers race. Great memories I had, and more to come 👊
its_marlowes_world
Ottawa, ON
I have been following the Mad Trapper on Facebook forever, but I've never been to one of his races before Saturday when I made the trek up to the Arc.
My race plan was to take it slow and easy and have fun
It's a tough course, super twisty and very technical and most of the second half was all uphill but it was a fun morning and I enjoyed it a lot.
If you're in the Ottawa/Gatineau area, Mad Trapper races are worth it just for the BBQ and brownies afterwards🤣
Irina Krasteleva
Ottawa, ON
Great hosts, food and drink. Feels like we all are part of one big sporty family
itsmehazelsmith
Denholm, QC
My 5km race/hike was physio approved. I may have even run a little bit 🤫 Recovery has been as expected, and I’ll take it 50km is nothing for @doylejsmith these days 💪🏼
Dee Braxx
Ottawa, ON
This was my second ever Trail Run and thanks to Mad Trapper I will be doing So many more! I’m hooked. The trails out here are breathtakingly beautiful and insanely ‘relentless’ but even more than the trails is the organizer who knows how to put together an incredible experience for all. I definitely felt like I was part of a community getting to chat and laugh with other participants pre and post race. So happy to have had this experience and meet such awesome people! Plus the food, beer, and prizes were all pretty great too!! Definitley recommend!
runk2j
Ottawa, ON
The start at today’s Mad Trapper Snowshoe Race. Just listen to the crunch of those snowshoes! Thanks to Mike and Monique for another great event
Andrew Shortt
Ottawa, ON
Best trail course around, tough and fun! The support and org is excellent.
Benoit Levesque
Gatineau, QC
Wow! Une course unique,un endroit où l'aimant de la nature ou le coureur de la forêt y trouve son compte. Une expérience que tout coureur devrait mettre à son agenda. Beau sentiers,bel accueil et de la bonne bouffe. See you 2018
hoppycanuck
Ottawa, ON
OMG what a fun time!
The course was a lollipop out-n-back through the woods. There were some monster climbs, a couple of sweet downhill segments, and some gorgeous single track through the trees and across a couple of ponds.
Start and finish were in a big cozy indoor space and post-race lunch was a pot of chili with all the fixings, chips, delish brownies and date squares (thanks Monique!!). What a feast! 😋
Brenda Ross
Ottawa, ON
Been going to the Mad Trapper races for about 3 years. Felt welcome from the onset with the low key environment and the hanging around after with good food and beer helps with the experience.