The Foxtail Rail Trail Race (Paul Turkstra Memorial) 2027

This event is Sanctioned by Athletics Ontario

We are thrilled to announce that we are partnering with La Sportiva for all of our events this year. Not only will La Sportiva be at our races with their demo fleet of shoes to try but they will also be giving away 2 pairs of shoes at every event!

The new date is April 17th, 2027.

Shake off that rust and enjoy the only trail in the area that won't be covered in mud!

last year's race shirt:

This is definitely our fastest trail race and probably the fastest 50k trail race course in Canada. The course is as close to flat as you will find and the trail is wide, groomed, and accessible. All distances are run on an out-and-back course with plenty of aid stations along the way. The scenery is quite nice and runs alongside conservation land, lush forests, ponds, creeks, and more. For much of the race, there will be kilometer markers on the route.

This is a great opportunity to run a personal best or to try a new distance.

-5k, 10k, 25k, and 50k finishers will all earn a really nice custom made finisher's medal (below is from a previous year).

Runners can carry a cell phone during the race. You will likely have cell service for the entire event- make sure your battery is fully charged.

Race Swag:

Runners will receive a t-shirt, a teeny tiny race bib that you don't have to cut or fold, some other race goodies, chip timing from Chip Time Results, race photos from Sue Sitki, and a very cool race medal.

Runners will have the option to choose either a Unisex Shirt or a Women's Cut Shirt during the registration process. The title "Women's Cut" is the actual name of the cut. Any person is welcome to choose whichever option they wish. Please note, the women's cut shirts do tend to fit a bit small so you may want to size up.

Location:

The Dundas Valley Conservation Area is the perfect starting point for an event like this. They offer some great services and the spectators will have plenty to do while they wait for friends/family to finish. Have a look around inside the Trail Centre, which is where the race starts and finishes. Spectators are also welcome to enjoy the trails by going on a hike. This will be a real community event and will be fun for the entire family!

The Race Registration Fee includes entrance into the Conservation Area for the participants. All crew and spectators will be asked to pay a reasonable entrance fee at the park entrance gate.

Course Description:

All of the events will start and end at the Dundas Valley Conservation Area Trail Centre.

5k: Start at the Dundas Valley Trail Centre and head East on the Hamilton-to-Brantford Rail Trail to Sanctuary Park, which is 2.5km. This will be the turnaround point. Runners will then run back to the Trail Centre and will finish where they started.

Click here for the 5km GPX File.

10k: Start at the Dundas Valley Trail Centre and head East on the Hamilton-to-Brantford Rail Trail to the 'Hammer View Aid Station', which is just past the Main St. West bridge, and then return to the Trail Centre. Please note, this course is approximately 10.4km.

Click here for the 10km GPX File.

25k: Start at the Dundas Valley Trail Centre and head East on the Hamilton-to-Brantford Rail Trail to the 'Hammer View Aid Station', which is just past the Main St. West bridge, and then return to the Trail Centre, where the 'Headquarters Aid Station' is located. Participants will continue West on the Rail Trail to the 'Opossum's Landing Aid Station', which is just before Hwy 52. They will then return to the Trail Centre where they will cross the finish line.

Click here for the 25km GPX File.

50k: Repeat the 25 km course twice!

Map/Elevation:

The elevation profile resembles a pancake at first glance. With that being said, there is definitely a slight grade and, even though it is only about 1%, you can certainly feel it after a while. The last 7.5km of the 25km and 50km races will be ever so slightly downhill so you can finish with a smile.

The course will be well marked and there is NO WAY you can get lost on this course.

Aid Stations:

There will be an aid station or water drop every 5-8km along the course. The aid stations will offer your typical ultra-running aid station goods. Sweet and salty snacks, water, electrolyte drink, PB and J, and more. If you have run a Happy Trails Racing event in the past, expect the same. We like to overdo it a bit at our aid stations and try to have something for even the pickiest of eaters!

Please note that all Happy Trails Racing events are cup-less so you will need to have a collapsible cup or bottle to fill at the aid stations.

Drop Bags:

Participants can have a drop bag at the start/finish area of each loop.

Pacers:

Nope!

If you are over the age of 60 and would like a pacer for safety reasons, or if you have a medical condition in which you would benefit from having a pacer, we will allow it but please let us know. If this is the case, the pacer can join for the 2nd half of the race.

All vehicles must be parked in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area parking lot.

Poles:

You are welcome to use them but, other than using them to trip runners ahead of you, they likely won't be of any help on this course.

Post Race Food:

We understand that people have different dietary restrictions, needs, and preferences. Because of this, rather than include the cost of a post-race meal that you may or may not enjoy/ be able to eat, we do not include meals in our race registration fees.

Refund Policy:

Happy Trails Racing has a great policy regarding race refunds/transfers: register with confidence knowing that you can take advantage of our early bird pricing and, if you need to back out, you can do so up to 30 days before the race with a 100% race credit that can go towards any future Happy Trails event. It doesn't expire. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate cancellations within 30 days of the race. However, participants are welcome to transfer their bib to someone else without any penalty. Please keep in mind that everything we need to order to have you at our race is done so at least 30 days out.

Also, please note that we don't have waitlists. If spots open up they will be available on Race Roster so check back occasionally.

Fundraising:

The Foxtail Rail Trail Race is being held in memory of the Race Director's cousin, Paul Turkstra, who passed away after a brief battle with melanoma cancer in October 2021. Paul was a dedicated father, coach, and friend known for his positive attitude and was ALWAYS in a good mood. He was a great human and was gracious and thoughtful right to the very end. We miss Paul dearly.

Race Reports: