Golden Ultra 2026

Golden Ultra 2026

Presented by TransRockies Race Series
Trail Running
Canada
Sep 11–13, 2026
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About This Event

Golden offers both multi-stage and single-day ultra options through diverse mountain terrain surrounded by six national parks in British Columbia’s Kootenay Rockies. The stage race format divides into Full Pint and Half Pint distances, each delivering distinct challenges across three days.

Day 1 climbs Mount 7 with a vertical kilometer test—1,000 meters over 5km for Full Pint participants or 500 meters over 3km for Half Pint. The ascent rewards runners with sweeping views of Golden and the Columbia River Valley from one of the area’s most recognizable peaks.

Day 2 presents the longest challenge: a 60km ultra-marathon for Full Pint or 30km for Half Pint. The route follows the Kicking Horse River through forests, alpine meadows, and rocky ridges, incorporating technical sections with steep climbs and fast descents that demand constant attention to footing and terrain.

Day 3 concludes at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort with a 22km run (10km for Half Pint) up and down ski slopes. The finish line sits at the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, Canada’s longest freestanding timber-framed structure, where crowds create a festival atmosphere.

Aid stations throughout each stage stock water, electrolytes, and medical supplies with volunteer support. Professional timing by Sportstats provides detailed results for each stage and overall standings. Free shuttle service eliminates parking concerns, while bag drop allows runners to focus purely on performance.

The event combines competitive racing with Golden’s mountain town culture. Single-day options on Saturday or Sunday accommodate various schedules, making the challenging terrain accessible to both stage race veterans and first-time ultra participants seeking technical mountain running in a supportive environment.

TransRockies Race Series

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The TransRockies Race Series is a unique multi-sport event series spanning Road cycling, MTB, and Trail events throughout North America.  Many of their events are multi-day, and all take place in spectacular destinations. It currently features 10 events over nearly 40 days annually across Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, and Utah. TransRockies Events feature best-in-class participant support and a fun social atmosphere. TransRockies Race Series has been operating challenging and unique endurance events since 2002. Starting with the TransRockies Challenge mountain bike stage race in 2002, it added the TransRockies Run trail running stage race in Colorado in 2007. The TransRockies Run, a multi-day, point-to-point trail running race that invites runners to challenge themselves on the rugged trails of the Colorado Rockies, has become one of their most popular offerings. Participants cover distances ranging from 120 to 200 miles over the course of several days, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

TransRockies Race Series sets itself apart as an event producer by its geographic coverage and the quality and uniqueness of the single and multi-day events it runs. The series is also known for the Moab Rocks Mountain Bike Stage Race, which combines classic Moab single track with slickrock and magnificent desert scenery, offering a fun and challenging experience for mountain biking enthusiasts. With a focus on providing a unique race experience, the TransRockies Race Series has become a staple in the endurance racing community, attracting athletes from all over who seek adventure, camaraderie, and the satisfaction of completing a demanding physical challenge.

The TransRockies Race Series currently operates ten events over 40 days annually in Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, and Utah. Strambecco covers several of their events, including Moab Run the Rocks, Moab Rocks, Moab Fondo Fest, which includes the Gran Fondo Moab and Gravel Fondo Moab, Golden Rush, Gran Fondo Badlands, TransRockies Single Track-6, TransRockies Run, TransRockies Gravel Royale, TranSelkirks Run, and the Golden Ultra.

We consider their races and events to be some of the best out there and have been featured in a handful of our popular ‘Best’ articles, including the best road cycling race events in the Southwest, the best MTB race events in the Southwest, the best gravel cycling race events in the Rockies, the best Mountain Bike Events in the Northwest, and the best cycling race events in all of Canada.

 

 

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