4 Weeks Out: Race Day is Almost Here! šāāļøš„
- Chris
- Mar 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 26
April 25, 2026 is coming fast, and we are READY.
The countdown is on, just four weeks until we hit the trails and find out what we're made of. Whether you're toeing the line for the 50K, the 25K, or the 12.5K, the moment you've been training for is almost here.
š£ Important Update: New Start Wave Times
We've made some changes to the start times, so please take note and update your race day plans accordingly:
Distance | Start Time |
50K | 8:00 AM |
25K | 8:30 AM |
12.5K | 9:00 AM |
Lock these in. Set your alarms. Tell your crew.
These are the times that matter.
š on-site Complimentary Massage Therapy
This year we are absolutely thrilled to welcome the Registered Massage Therapy students of Oxford College from the Barrie CampusĀ to the finish line experience. That means complimentary massage therapyĀ available to every single attendee from runners, crew to spectators, all of you. Multiple massage beds will be set up and ready to go, so after you've crossed that finish line and left everything out on the trail, you can actually recover like you mean it.
This is a massive addition to the š æļøā ļøš æļø experience and a huge thank you goes out to Oxford College for making it happen. š
šØ Make It a Weekend: Exclusive š æļøā ļøš æļøĀ Rates at Horseshoe Resort
Why drive home after pushing your limits all day? Horseshoe ResortĀ has put together exclusive rates for Pick Your Poison runners so you can make this a full weekend experience. Arrive fresh, race hard, and recover in style.
They have secured a room block under "Pick Your Poison"Ā ā no pressure, no commitment on numbers, just great rates held for our community.
Room Type | Rate |
Horseshoe Room (2 Queens or 1 King) | $189 |
Deluxe Room (2 Queens or 1 King) | $209 |
Loft Suite (1 King) | $239 |
Slopeside Condo (2 Bed ā King + 2 Singles, full kitchen & living area) | $349 |
All rates subject to 9% Resort Fee + HST.
The Slopeside CondoĀ is a standout for groups or families and includes a full kitchen, dining area, living room, and a king primary suite with ensuite. Perfect for a crew that wants to settle in and make a weekend of it.
š To book, call Horseshoe Resort at 1.800.461.5627 and mention "Pick Your Poison"Ā to access these rates.
Make it a full weekend experience: trails, community, finish line, complimentary massage, and a proper recovery. Don't just race here, make a weekend of it and support local!
š Give Your Medals Homes they Deserve
While š æļøā ļøš æļø doesn't 'give out medals, you've probably got lots lying around in boxes or drawers. Let's talk about giving them a better place to live.
Evans Tree WorksĀ is crafting authentically sustainable, artisanal medal hangers and they're available to order right now. Choose from 4 beautiful wood types, each one a piece of craftsmanship worthy of finish line moments to remember.
Here's how it works:
š Browse the collection & purchase ā Shop | Pick Your Poison
š¦ Then pick it up at our race at Heights of HorseshoeĀ on April 25
Order early, these are handcrafted and won't last. The perfect race day souvenir, ready and waiting for you at the finish. Evans Tree Works is our race trophy and award artist.
šŗļø Know Your Course
We've just posted a first ever, elevation profile analysis of our course. The terrain will challenge you and Little Katie will have you questioning the choices you made - and that's the whole point! With 4 weeks left, see if you can get out on some trails and hills these next couple of weeks. Your legs (and ankles) will thank you on race day!
š Gear Check! Don't Leave It to the Last Minute
Four weeks out is the perfect time to audit your kit. Here's what to nail down now:
ShoesĀ ā If your trail shoes are looking tired, break in a new pair now, not the week before.
HydrationĀ ā Know your vest or handheld setup and practice with it on long runs. š æļøā ļøš æļø is a cupless event meaning you need to provide our aid station volunteers some way of giving you Hammer Nutrition Canada electrolytes to drink!
NutritionĀ ā This is not the time to experiment. Stick with what your stomach knows. We'll have our regular food including pickles, cookies, potatoes and for clean energy without the bonk, Hammer Nutrition Canada gels.
LayersĀ ā April mornings can be cold at the start line. Have some layers available.
PolesĀ (50K runners) ā If you're using them, practice now. Poles engage your scapula, and triceps and can take some practice to make sure you don't whack anybody with them while in aid stations.
Drop bagsĀ ā Permitted at the start/finish line, and no size limit (we have the whole parking lot!)
We're Looking For Volunteers!
Did you miss getting registered for this year's š æļøā ļøš æļø? Do your friends and family want to check out what this whole trail scene thing is all about and maybe try it themselves one day? We need volunteers to help with all sorts of fun roles from helping runners at aid stations to helping with kit pickup.
All volunteers are guaranteed race entry the subsequent year, so drop us a line here and let's talk about how you'd like to contribute to this great community event!
New this year is our Pick Your Volunteer Experience (PYVE), and initiative to make volunteering as much fun as running the race!
The Final Push
Your last big training block is wrapping up in the next couple of weeks. From here, it's about staying healthy, running smart, and trusting the work you've put in.
We'll see you on the trails on Saturday, April 25, 2026. šļø
Have questions? Contact us here, check out our FAQ or reply to the runner's email you received. We're here for you.
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