The First Blaze Trail Race

The First Blaze Trail Race 2026

The First Blaze Trail Race will take place on July 11, 2026 at the Kelso Conservation Area in Milton, Ontario. It is a point-to-point trail race on the Bruce Trail, organized by the Toronto Bruce Trail Club.

Distances

• 50 km: A point-to-point course covering the Toronto Section of the Bruce Trail (approximately 51.8 km). It starts at the Cheltenham Badlands.
• 25 km: A point-to-point course of approximately 27.5 km, starting on Sixth Line.
• 10 km: An out-and-back course starting and finishing at the Kelso Conservation Area.

For the 50 km and 25 km courses, a shuttle bus service is provided to transport participants from the finish line parking to the start.

The course follows the permanently marked white blazes of the Bruce Trail. The route passes through several conservation areas and notable sites including the Cheltenham Badlands, Terra Cotta Conservation Area, Limehouse Conservation Area (featuring the "Hole in the Wall" passage), and the Dufferin Quarry Bridge. Participants will also pass the location of the first blaze painted on the Bruce Trail.

Aid stations will be spaced approximately 8-12 km apart, offering food, water, and drinks. The event is cup-less, so participants must carry their own collapsible cup or bottle.

Total participation is capped at 200 runners. A portion of each registration fee is donated to the Toronto Bruce Trail Club for trail maintenance. The registration fee includes a t-shirt, a finisher's medal, parking at Kelso Conservation Area, and shuttle bus access. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.