Mad Trapper Racing: 20+ Years of Premier Trail Running in Ottawa & Gatineau
About the Founder: Mike Caldwell, Race Director and Trail Expert
I’ve been involved in endurance sports for over 35 years, starting with cross-country running in high school and continuing through triathlons, adventure racing, and ultrarunning.
In the late 80s, I competed in Olympic-distance triathlons and went on to complete three iron-distance races, including Vineman in California, Epic Dartmouth in Nova Scotia, and "The Canadian" in Ottawa.
My background also includes multi-day adventure racing, with events ranging from 24 to 72 hours, and pacing at two of the most demanding ultramarathons in the world: the Leadville Trail 100 and Hardrock 100.
Since 2002, I’ve directed over 150 trail and snowshoe races and welcomed more than 10,000 racers here at The Ark.
But Mad Trapper Racing wasn’t built from results or podiums.
It was built from a simple belief:
The best days aren’t measured by pace—they’re measured by the experience you have on the trail.
The Mad Trapper Mission: Technical Trail Standards and Community
At Mad Trapper Racing, every course is designed with intention.
We focus on technical trail running—singletrack, elevation changes, natural obstacles, and terrain that demands your attention. Many of our routes draw inspiration from the rugged terrain found in Gatineau Park, combined with the raw, private trail systems at The Ark.
These aren’t flat, fast courses.
They’re real trails.
At the same time, we believe racing should feel welcoming, not intimidating.
That’s why most of our events include accessible distance options like 3K and 5K races, alongside longer and more demanding courses. Whether you’re just getting started or building toward an ultra, there’s a place for you on the start line.
We’ve also worked to make our Backyard Ultra events more inclusive—both in summer and winter—by introducing what we believe is the world’s only “Kristi Loops.” These shorter loop options allow more runners to take part in the Backyard Ultra format without committing to the full distance.
The loops are named after Kristi Raz, a passionate ultrarunner who openly says she’s not the fastest—but always shows up. Over the years, we’ve watched her family grow up on these trails. Her sons started in our 3K races, and today, they’re completing 50K distances at the Backyard Ultra.
That’s what this is about.
Whether it’s your first race or your longest one yet, the goal is the same:
- Challenge yourself
- Support each other
- Leave with a story worth telling
That balance—technical standards and strong community—is what defines every Mad Trapper event.
Race Series Legacy: From the Ark to the Backyard Ultra
Mad Trapper Racing has been building trail running events in the Ottawa and Western Quebec region for over two decades.
It began in 2002 with the launch of the Mad Trapper Snowshoe Race Series—one of the first of its kind in Eastern Canada.
From there, the community continued to grow. Between 2004 and 2007, I served as Race Director for the Five Peaks Trail Running Series, hosting events at both Camp Fortune and The Ark.
When Five Peaks left the region in 2008, Mad Trapper Racing continued where it left off—expanding our own race series and continuing to host events at The Ark and Camp Fortune.
Over the years, the races have also been a way to give back.
From 2011 to 2016, we hosted the Power in Pink fundraising event, with proceeds supporting local women fighting cancer. The race was inspired by my friend Trish Massart, who was living with stage 4 colon cancer and became the first recipient of those donations.
More recently, we’ve continued that tradition through the Mica Run—a run for the rescues. It’s the area’s only dog-friendly trail race, where participants can run with their dogs (though it’s not required), and proceeds support local animal rescue efforts.
Key events and series include:
The Mad Trapper Snowshoe Race Series (est. 2002)
The Mad Trapper Trail Race Series (est. 2008)
Five Peaks Trail Running events (2004–2007, Race Director)
The Backyard Ultra at The Ark (first in the region, 2019)
The Basset Ear Prediction Run
Power in Pink (2011–2016, cancer fundraising)
The Mica Run (dog-friendly trail race supporting rescues)
Relentless (3k, 5k, 10k, 21k, 30k and 50k options - UTMB trail index races)
Over the years, these races have attracted runners of all levels—from first-time participants to experienced ultrarunners—helping build a strong and connected trail running community in the Ottawa and Western Quebec region.
Official Affiliations and Industry Recognition
Mad Trapper Racing events align with recognized standards in the global trail running community.
Our races are connected to and supported by organizations and partners that help ensure quality, consistency, and credibility, including:
UTMB Index events
ITRA (International Trail Running Association)
Bushtukah Great Outdoor Gear (long-time partner)
Atlas Snowshoes
Salomon
Sugoi
These affiliations help validate our races within the broader trail running ecosystem while maintaining the independent, grassroots feel that defines Mad Trapper.
Contact Mad Trapper Racing in Ottawa
Mad Trapper Racing is based in Western Quebec, just outside Ottawa, with events hosted at The Ark and in surrounding trail networks including the Gatineau region.
For race updates, event registration, and community news:
Website: madtrapperracing.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madtrapperracing/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadTrapperTrailandSnowshoe
Whether you’re looking to race, volunteer, or just learn more, we’re always open to connecting with others who share a passion for the trails.
