Cancelled Event
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
BVU CANCELLED
To everyone who signed up, supported, and believed in the Bow Valley Ultra—thank you. This event was built with heart, care, and deep-rooted connection to our community and trails. We followed the path we were given, acted in good faith, and poured everything into bringing a 100 mile experience to our incredible backyard. While we won’t be moving forward, the dream remains.
To our racers and community: your early support, trail stewardship contributions, and trust in something brand new meant the world. You reminded us why we do this.
To our partners—including Alberta Parks, Public Lands, SRD, the Town of Canmore, Three Sisters Parkway, Cochrane Search and Rescue, RunUphill, Arcteryx Alberta, Born Brewing, Canmore Brewing Company, Rviita, Coros Canada and more: your belief and collaboration carried us further than you know. We are forever grateful, and we’re proud of how we showed up for the trails, for our people, and for a vision rooted in integrity and community.
We will host a low-key, unmarked BVU Fun Run on the original race weekend. Similar to our early year zero scout run during 2024, there will be no formal start, limited aid, and participants will be responsible for their own logistics - but just like that run, it'll be a similar celebration of fitness, good vibes and a life changing community. Stay tuned to Lewiston Ultra Events & RunUphill for details.
While this chapter closes, the heart behind it will carry forward in everything we do and dream.
REGISTRATION
Registration Cost: $310 CDN (+GST & UltraSignup fee)
*Payment Methods: We accept most major credit cards; however, AMEX (American Express) and Discovery cards are not accepted.
Refund & Transfer Policy:
*Registration fees are non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-deferrable to another Lewiston Ultra Event or future event.
*In the unlikely event that final permits are not approved, refunds will be issued, minus committed admin, Stripe, and UltraSignup fees.
Permitting Note:
We are collaborating with Alberta Parks, Friends of Kananaskis Country, Bragg Creek Trails, and the Town of Canmore to finalize permits for this exciting inaugural event. While we are strongly confident in our planning, sustainability measures, and strong partnerships, final approval is still pending at this point.
ABOUT THE RACE
The inaugural Bow Valley Ultra (BVU) is hosted in Kananaskis, beginning and ending in the beautiful town of Canmore, Alberta.
The BVU is purposefully scheduled during the shoulder season to boost local tourism, highlight the stunning fall colors, and provide an incredible opportunity to experience the beauty of the Bow Valley trails. As a single-distance event, it celebrates the iconic 100-mile challenge while complementing the existing local trail racing community.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (to register for the BVU, racers must meet the following criteria):
COMPLETE A QUALIFYING RACE:
Finish a minimum 50-mile trail race between January 1, 2024, and August 31, 2025 (there are no vertical gain or technical criteria for the qualifying race). A trail race in this context is defined as a race that occurs on at least 75% natural non-paved surfaces.
*The BVU Qualifying Race Form is available at www.lewistonultraevents.com, along with submission details.
*Submitted forms will be reviewed, and racer status will be updated on a public roster. Racers who do not complete and submit their qualifying race form by the deadline will be removed from the event. Results must meet these conditions:
*The run must be completed within the official cutoff times of the event.
*Completing 50 miles or more as part of a last person standing event is acceptable if the distance is clearly listed in the results.
*Completing a fixed time event is acceptable provided at least 50 miles is completed within 12 hours.
*Virtual events, FKTs, classic lines, stage races, and Fat Ass runs are not accepted. Qualifying races must be fully permitted from all relevant land management agencies. Races that illegally utilize public lands, avoid permitting requirements by keeping a small start list or “require suggested donations” will not be accepted.
TRAIL WORK REQUIREMENT:
In the spirit of giving back to the trail community, all BVU racers are required to complete at least 8 hours of trail work in the same calendar year as the event, prior to August 31, 2025. Trail work in this context is defined as either work on a trail used by a trail running race, or construction work on a new/existing natural-surface trail under the supervision of a formal trail maintenance organization under permit by the appropriate land management/stewardship agency (no pirate trails!).
*Local racers are encouraged to volunteer with Bragg Creek Trails or Friends of Kananaskis Country.
*The BVU Trail Work Form is available at www.lewistonultraevents.com, along with submission details.
*Submitted forms will be reviewed, and racer status will be updated on a public roster. Racers who do not complete and submit their trail work form by the deadline will be removed from the event.
*We realize that not all prospective racers live in a situation that permits them to volunteer with a local land management/stewardship agency. Please reach out to the Race Director via the Ask a Question button above if this is the case.
*Should you be unable to race in the year of your registration, volunteer hours do not carry forward.
Race Package Pick-Up will be at RunUphill in Canmore, Alberta on Friday, September 26. Race morning package pick up will not be available. Race packages not collected will not be mailed or made available at a later date.
For full details, racer guides, and event updates, please visit www.lewistonultraevents.com
THE COURSE
The BVU race route is an out-and-back course starting and finishing in the stunning town of Canmore, Alberta. The exact route is still to be confirmed and will take place on maintained and existing trails. Elevation gain is 5900 meters.
Racers are permitted to have one (1) pacer join them at the halfway point (50 miles – West Bragg Creek Provincial Day Use Area) or at 11PM - whichever comes first. Pacers are expected to be familiar with BVU rules, wear the provided official pacing bib and enter and exit aid stations alongside their racer but never ahead of them. While racers may have multiple pacers throughout the race, only one (1) pacer is allowed at a time. Pacers can switch out only at designated aid stations, and racers will be issued one (1) pacer bib, which must be passed along if multiple pacers are used. It is the racer’s responsibility to manage all pacer communication and transportation.
Racers will have 32 hours to complete the BVU, from 7:00am on Saturday, September 27, to 3:00pm on Sunday, September 28. Additional race cutoff times are implemented throughout the event to ensure a safe race experience.
Please note: All course details, including elevation and route, are subject to change based on permitting requirements.
Event's current local time: 6:04 PM MT
