GEAR UP FOR AN INTENSE ADVENTURE!
The Grit & Grind Trail Race presented by Arc’teryx is taking place at Camp Fortune in Gatineau Park on Sunday, September 6, 2026. Embrace your inner mountain goat and take your pick of the 5K, 10K and NEW FOR 2026 20K routes and push your limits on stunning, challenging trails. More than just your “ordinary” race, it’s an unforgettable experience! With a 2K kids run, everyone can lace up and join the fun!
Green Bib funds go to Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais – Ottawa Volunteer Search and Rescue (SBO-OVSAR)—their assistance in putting on this event is essential!
RACE INFO
DISTANCES: 20km, 10km, 5km and 2km
START TIMES:
2K (ages 7-12) – 8:30 AM
10K – 9:00 AM
5K – 9:45 AM
20K – TBD
RACE KIT
Euro-Sports is the Official Race Bib Pickup Sponsors of the 2026 Grit & Grind Trail Race Series!
- Saturday, September 5 12pm – 4pm at Euro-Sports, 13 Bullman St, Ottawa
- Sunday, September 6 beginning at 8am at Camp Fortune 300 Dunlop Rd, Chelsea, Quebec
ONLINE REGISTRATION
- Online registration closes Friday, August 21, 11:59pm.
- This race usually sells out, so make sure to sign up early!
ROUTE
Please note, for everyone’s safety headphones and earbuds are NOT permitted on course.
INCLUDED IN YOUR REGISTRATION:
- A commemorative Grit & Grind Trail Race presented by Arc’teryx medal (unless opting for the Green Bib)
- A personalized race bib
- Professional race timing with chip time results available
- Post-race snacks and beverages
- A sense of accomplishment for rising to the challenge!
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS TO COMMEMORATE YOUR RACE:
- Grit & Grind Trail Race presented by Arc’tery technical shirt
- iTab ribbon hanger
WHICH DISTANCE WILL YOU TACKLE?
2K Kids Race: Small steps, big spirit
The Grit & Grind 2K Kids Race is where the next generation of trail runners finds their footing, and their fun. This short but spirited route at Camp Fortune brings young runners into the adventure with gentle hills, wide trails, and a taste of Gatineau Park’s wild terrain. Every stride builds confidence, every climb earns a cheer, and every finish line is a celebration. It’s all about moving, exploring, and discovering what grit feels like, one joyful kilometre at a time.
Grit & Grind 5K: Five kilometres of fury
The Grit & Grind 5K may be short, but it’s anything but easy. This route delivers quick climbs, sharp descents, and technical turns that demand focus and reward precision. You’ll weave through Gatineau Park’s pine-lined singletrack and crest viewpoints that remind you why trail running hooks so many runners for life. Fast, gritty, and packed with character, it’s five kilometres of pure trail intensity.
Grit & Grind 10K: double the distance, double the thrill
Ready to turn it up a notch? The 10K route is pure Camp Fortune, with rolling climbs, punchy descents, and that unmistakable mix of forest shade and quad burn. You’ll cover a full sampler of Gatineau Park terrain: technical sections, smooth runnable stretches, and views that make every uphill worth it. Whether you’re chasing a time or a thrill, this is a course that rewards rhythm, focus, and guts.
NEW for 2026
The Grit & Grind 20K: The full send
For those who live for the long haul, the 20K course is where endurance meets elevation. It’s two loops of pure Gatineau grit, with steep climbs that test your lungs, flowing singletrack that begs for speed, and the kind of technical descents that make you feel alive. This is your chance to push deep, connect with the terrain, and earn every metre. Cross the finish caked in dirt, smiling, and fully alive because you didn’t just run Camp Fortune, you conquered it.
PLUS as of 2026 the 20K is a UMTB Index Race!
The UTMB Index is a performance-based score created by the UTMB World Series to assess the global ranking of trail runners. It is calculated using results from UTMB Index races in four categories: 20K, 50K, 100K, and 100M. A runner must complete at least one race in a given category within the last 24 months to get a valid score for that category, which is then used to qualify for events like the UTMB World Series Finals.
GREEN BIB OPTION
The Green Bib does not include a medal, instead a portion of your registration fee will be donated to the event charity partner Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais – Ottawa Volunteer Search and Rescue (SBO-OVSAR).
Established in 1996, Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais – Ottawa Volunteer Search and Rescue (SBO-OVSAR) is a federally incorporated, charitable, volunteer-based search and rescue organization serving the Outaouais and Eastern Ontario regions.
Their mission is to assist individuals and communities by providing quality search and rescue and search management services; public education programs to help people enjoy the outdoors safely; and assistance to communities during emergencies.
EVENT PARKING
There will be parking available at J.A. Dulude Arena (941 Clyde Ave). There will also be street parking in the area. We ask that participants are respectful of local businesses. Look for the Run Ottawa signs that will direct you to parking.
ACCESSIBILITY
Please note: This event is not suitable for strollers or mobility devices.
TRAIN WITH RUNNA
Runna is the Official Training App of Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 2026. Try it out for free for two weeks here.
RUN OTTAWA MEMBERSHIP
You can now buy an RO membership seamlessly in-registration when signing up for a Run Ottawa event! As a member, you’ll enjoy exclusive benefits like ONE FREE RACE, 10% off all Run Ottawa races and discounts with partner services, enhancing your running experience! Dual, youth and family options now available! Find out more.
