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Mad Tapper Racing
Mad Trapper Events
And what makes them truly unique!
The Mad Trapper: 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.
January 4 & 25, February 22, 2025
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!
April 12, 2015
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!
September 6, 2025
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.
October 11, 2025
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.
June 21, 2025
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.
March 1, 2025
What you need to know:
ALL Mad Trapper races take place at "The Ark" - 40 minutes north of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, Ottawa
Parking is on the road, one side, across the street
Bib pickup is race day, so arrive at least 30 minutes early
We have the best post race celebration/social/buffet anywhere so bring a change of clothes so you're comfortable!
Where We At????
"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'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.
