Race/Course info

What is the Knee Knacker?

The Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run is a challenging 30-mile foot race along the Baden-Powell Centennial Trail from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. The course will appeal to people with some experience in trail and/or endurance events. It provides runners with magnificent city, mountain and ocean views, as they go up and over the mountains which grace the communities of Metro Vancouver’s North Shore, climbing 8,000 feet and descending another 8,300 feet in the process. Running Wild magazine has recognized the race as one of 25 toughest races in North America.

What started as a group run with eight participants in 1989, quickly grew into the largest ultramarathon race in Canada. By 1994, the race limit of 125 runners was reached five months prior to race day, with an even greater number of runners being turned away. Since then a lottery has been used to select an expanded field of 262 runners.

The race is produced by the Northshore Ultra Trailrunning Society (incorporated as a non-profit society in British Columbia) – a small group of dedicated runners from the Metro Vancouver area. Besides providing a forum for athletic competition, the race has raised over $90,000 for various charities since its inception.

Features

  • All entrants will receive a commemorative high-quality garment.
  • Special awards to all finishers.
  • Organized training runs.
  • Pre-race refreshments and trail briefing.
  • Post-race awards ceremony and catered food (1 ticket only — additional tickets may be purchased for a small fee).
  • Eleven well-stocked aid stations.

Categories

  • Open men & women
  • 40-49 men & women
  • 50-59 men & women
  • 60-69 men & women
  • 70+ men & women

Course times

Competitors must complete the race within 10 hours; cut-off times are enforced from the half-way mark onwards. More race time information can be found at Course checkpoints and cut-offs.

Course records

  • Men: 4:32:03, Nick Elson (2017)
  • Women: 5:06:09, Ellie Greenwood (2010)

Dates, lottery, volunteer requirements

Race week information

Race policies