October 21, 2023
N89 Outdoors is thrilled to bring back the Creemore Vertical Challenge with the blessing of the original race director for 2023. We look forward to a race with lots of character building vertical, and not too many annoying flat bits.
This event is part of OUTRace, and runners will be eligible for the new awards planned this year for the series. Stay tuned for more detail there!
We’re honoured to support the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority through a donation on behalf of our runners, additional donation options are available if you want to support their trail building and conservation work!
We’re grateful for support from Creemore Springs Brewery for your post-race beverage!
On Race Day
Creemore’s name comes from the Irish Croi Mor meaning “big heart”. N89 calls it home, and we tend to call the roads leading out of town… hilly. This is our setting, and we’re thrilled to welcome you out as the fall season is just finishing.
If you are supporting someone at the Vertical Challenge, we’d love your help during the down time that runners are out on the loop! We have spots available for Aid Station crews and course marshals that will get you out on course and into the action! Please email us at run at n89 dot ca or contact us on Facebook or Instagram.
Parking:
Parking in Creemore is free throughout town, but we ask that you avoid Mill St (the main road leading to Mad River Park) and the Station on the Green parking as we don’t want to interfere with the Creemore Farmer’s Market. We have permission to use the Creemore Legion Parking lot until 2pm if you’d like a quieter location.
Race Kit Pick Up:
Kits include the swag, bibs, and safety pins if you need them.
- 75K: Starts at 6:45am and goes until
race start at 7:30am. - 50K: Starts at 7:35am and goes until
race start at 9:00am - 25K: Starts at 7:35am and goes until
race start at 9:30am
Drop Bags:
Drop bags are optional for 50K and 75K runners and will be held at Aid Station 1 at the Start/Finish line. We’ll have tents and tarps to make sure everything stays dry and a volunteer to look after everything for you until you need it.
IMPORTANT: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS MAY ALTER THE FINAL COURSE – PLEASE DO NOT RELY ON THIS MAP FOR YOUR RACE DAY PLANNING, AS IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
As the course has developed more and some changes have been made, the course is now about 65% road (mostly gravel) and 35% trail. Please consider shoes based on the weather forecast, as the conditions will dictate what will work best for you on the day. The trail sections will be gnarly if wet.
Timing
Enfield Timing will be looking after us with chip timing.
Course
Check out the map on this page to get a preview of the course. Certain sections are available to us to use on race day by permission of the property owners (thanks to our awesome Creemore community) so we ask that you do not venture on to the two sections marked as private. The Harvey trail, and 30th Sideroad are able to be previewed, but will be undergoing some clearing and work before race day.
Aid Stations
There will be four Aid Stations stocked with water, electrolytes (mixed), and assorted snacks. Aid Station 2 (and 3) you’ll hit twice, as with Aid Station 4. They will be set (very) approximately at 6km, 12km, 16km, 21km and 24km. This will be clarified closer to race day, but the key take-away is that the stations are slightly farther apart than previous N89 events.
Post Race:
Creemore Springs will be handing out cold cans of their best brews.
Run photography will be provided free to runners by Graeme Kennedy Photography – there will be plenty of time to pose with your best ultra-smile!
In the event of rain everything will proceed as planned. A little mud is good for the soul.
Getting Here
Mad River Park
1 George St, Creemore
A lovely grass park sitting along the Mad River; in the original days of the CVC, participants would sit in the rapids after their run and chill their legs. In October that’s probably not recommended, but if the weather is nice, we’re all for it! There is no parking at the park, please see parking instructions on the left on this page.
The Course
Vehicle access to Aid Stations:
Aid Station 2/3 is most easily accessed by leaving Creemore and heading East on George St / Sideroad 6/7, turning Right onto Airport Road, and Right again at Banda (Mulmur Nottawasaga Townline). The Aid Station will be at the corner with South Concession 3.
Aid Station 4/6 is accessed by leaving Creemore South on Collingwood St across the iron bridge and heading directly up the hill – use caution as the road narrows in sections.
Aid Station 5 is accessed by leaving Creemore West on Caroline Street and following it as it becomes Concession 5. Keep going up and up until you get to the intersection with the Mulmur/Nottawasaga Townline (in a little dip). Unless you have a 4×4 vehicle, do not attempt Mulmur Nottawasaga Townline past 4th Line Mulmur (ie, from Aid Station 2/3)!
Thank you so much to our supporters!
