Canadian Rockies Heli Run

This is the first race of its kind in the world, with an innovative and unique trail running experience located in the Canadian Rockies.  This is a two person team event.  Teammates will run in a relay format from the Heliport to a remote alpine lake and back again, but there’s a twist. The twist is: the first runner runs in from the heliport to the lake and flies out by helicopter, the second choppers in to the lake and runs out to the heliport.  We have partnered with Kananaskis Mountain Helicopters and Icefields Helitours to offer each participant the spectacular six minute helicopter ride as part of this trail running adventure.

Just outside of Banff National Park, located in the beautiful Canadian Rockies, the Cline River Heliport is situated on the banks of Abraham Lake.  From here, the run is approximately 19 km for each runner.  The net elevation change is 780 m.  You and your teammate make the decision of who will run the uphill leg; the stronger runner may choose this portion, and who will run down.   If you are struggling with this decision, an easy coin toss will do the trick! Either way, runners can look forward to an incredible and scenic adventure with two vantage points: in the air and on the trail.

Start/Finish: The starting and finishing line is located at the Cline River Heliport at an elevation of 1, 320 m (4,330 ft)
Leg 1 is 19 km total, with 950 m climbing and 170 m descending
Leg 2 is 19 km total, with 170 m of climbing and 950 m descending
Aid stations will be located at 8.3 km inbound and 10.3 km outbound.

Primarily Single-track, the trail is wide and rolling at lower elevations but narrower, steep, and rugged as the elevations escalate.  Near the top, it becomes smooth but remains narrow. Transition is located at Lake of the Falls, elevation 2,100m (6,900 ft).