What is the Canadian Death Race?

You must truly have the curiosity of a cat, the constitution of an ox, and the spirit of adventure, although your friends and loved ones may have a completely different description of your mental health.

The course consists of 125kms, three mountain summits and over 17,000ft of elevation change as well as the crossing of a major river at the spectacular Hell's Gates canyon at the confluence of the Smoky and Sulphur Rivers.  Grande Cache, Alberta, Canada is located 140 km North of Hinton, and 180 km South of Grande Prairie on the Bighorn Highway 40. Grande Cache is nestled on top of a 4,200 ft plateau and is surrounded by 6000 ft to 7000 ft mountains on all sides. The scenery is as impressive as the challenge that lies ahead.

Kim and Lynne at The Death Race 2005

The race itself is made of five legs and each leg is timed.  At the end of each leg you must check in with an electronic time tracker.  If you have not made the checkpoint in the allotted time, you are out of the race and will not be allowed to continue on with the race.  You are also required to carry a death race silver coin.  This coin is unique to each death racer and has their race number engraved on it.  At any time a race marshall can ask to see your coin and you must provide it. If you lose the coin you are immediately disqualified from the race and will not be allowed to continue.  The coin is required for the river crossing at the end of the race.  If you do not have the coin, you will not be permitted safe passage in the boat across the river and will be left to wander the banks of the river, like a lost soul.  No excuses will be tollerated by the ferry master.  "I have lost it"  "What coin?" and "Will you take a cheque?" are not sentences the ferry master wants to hear.