Ekiden General Information

October 19, 2024
Wintergreen Golf and Country Club
10:00 AM

 Click here to register .

In 2020 we moved this relay to Ekiden due to Covid restrictions in Banff. We had so much fun that we’re going to stay at Wintergreen. Ever wondered what it’s like to run 18 holes of golf without having to actually hit a little tiny ball with a stick? Now is your chance! Along with the greatest tail gate party you’ll ever find. Running and tailgating – don’t miss out! We’ll be utilizing cart paths around the golf course and trails over what used to be the ski hill! Your entry fee includes a delicious lunch and we’ll have $5 beer!!

How many people on a team? Traditionally each team has five people; one for each leg but you’re welcome to run with less than five and just have some people run more than once. On that note we have introduced:
NEW – 3 person team pricing! Want to be part of the fun but only have three runners? We’re introducing a three person team option at a bit lower pricing than the full team option. You’ll still run all five legs of the relay but with two people running twice.
Running with 4 – 5 people? Choose the Relay team 5 people option when you register.
Running with 2 – 3 people? Choose the relay team 3 people option when you register.

Route

Legs 1, 2 & 3 are all 9km (or very close to it). Legs 2 and 3 are the hardest with a climb over the old ski hill at the end of each leg. Legs 4 & 5 are 7km. All legs have hills so be prepared! The full course equals 41.5 km and makes for a challenging almost marathon for our solo runners. Please plan on being self supporting. We will have a water station at the start/finish area.

Leg 1
Leg 2
Leg 3
Leg 4
Leg 5

42.195km

The lengths of Ekiden can vary greatly, but this year our Ekiden covers 41.5 km, with five relay runners covering various distances. We may be able to add on to one or two legs to get closer to our 42km distance.

Solo option

The solo options comes with a couple of conditions. There will be a cut off time for each leg (listed as time of day below) with an overall cut off time of 4 1/2 hours. We aren’t setting up any aid stations on course. There will be water as you pass through the start/finish and you will be able to put any food needs you have there to collect as you pass through. Solo runners will also have priority parking right at the start/finish to collect anything you need as you go. When you register for the solo race please familiarize yourself with the general race rules (bottom of this page) and the cut off times.

Cut off times for solo runners

Leg one: 11:15
Leg two: 12:00
Leg three: 1:15
Leg four: 1:45
Leg five (finish): 2:30

Race package pick up day and time

Race package pick up will be at Stride’s Running Store Marda Loop (3558 Garrison Gate SW) on Thursday October 17 from 4:00 – 7:00. Packages can be picked up at Stride’s Fish Creek (1119, 380 Canyon Meadows Dr. S.E.) on Friday, October 18 during regular business hours by request only. You must request south store pick up by 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and any unclaimed packages left at Fish Creek will not be transported to Wintergreen. Packages for out of town teams will be available for pick up on race morning at Wintergreen beginning at 9:15.

Start/Finish & Parking

Each leg starts and finishes at Wintergreen Golf & Country Club (50108 Wintergreen Way, Bragg Creek)
We will do a group start of all leg 1 runners.

Food and Beer

Lunch is included with your entry and we’ll have Annex beer available for $5.

Race Rules

Please check out the Banff Ekiden relay race rules

October 19, 2024

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June 7, 2025

June 21, 2025