October 17, 2026 :: CVC is a 14K, 27.5K, 55K and 80K/50 Miler race in a combination of trail, dirt roads and almost no cliffs.
Early Registration ends April 1, 2026 / Regular Registration ends October 10, 2026.
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80K / 50M Field Day Early Bird / Regular $125 / $145
Three laps of the course, about 1/2 mile of vertical gain per lap, still possible water involvement. Participants receive a finisher medal, a pint of Creemore's best, a CVC long-sleeve bamboo ultra soft t-shirt (if registered before Labour day), and N89 socks.
Cut-off time: 13hrs - HEADLAMP REQUIRED. -
The Full 55k Early Bird / Regular $105 / $125
Two laps of the course, about 1/2 mile of vertical gain per lap, possible water involvement. Participants receive a finisher medal, a CVC bamboo long-sleeve ultra soft t-shirt (if registered before Labour day) and N89 socks.
Cut-off Time: 10hrs -
The Fun 27.5k Early Bird / Regular $95 / $105
A single lap of the course, about 1/2 mile of vertical gain, possible water involvement. Participants receive a short sleeve t-shirt, a finisher medal, and a cold beer.
Cut-off Time: 7hrs -
The 14k Dip Early Bird / Regular $85 / $95
Looking for something a little shorter but just as tough? Try the 14k lap, test your climbing skills, and take in the view from the top! Participants receive a short sleeve t-shirt, a finisher medal, and a cold beer.
The course is about 70% road (mostly gravel) and 30% trail. Follow a route through the hills of Creemore across private trails and gravel roads with some great views!
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!
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.
Accommodations at Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain Resorts has offered 20% off for runners staying in Collingwood (about 25 minute drive from Creemore Vertical Challenge).
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. There is public parking at the Creemore Arena on Collingwood St., a 5-10 minute walk to the park.
Race Kit Pick Up:
Kits include the swag, bibs, and safety pins if you need them.
- 80K: Starts at 6:00am and goes until
race start at 7:00am. - 55K: Starts at 7:15am and goes until
race start at 9:00am - 27.5K: Starts at 7:15am and goes until
race start at 9:30am - 14K: Starts at 8:30am and goes until
race start at 10:30am
Drop Bags:
Drop bags are optional for 55K and 80K 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.
You may defer your entry until 11:59pm September 17th, 2026 to the Creemore Vertical Challenge 2027. After that date, you may transfer your bib to another person until October 1st, 2026. Cash refunds are not offered for this race.
The course is about 70% road (mostly gravel) and 30% 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.
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 2.5km, 6km, 13km, 16.5km and 20km. This spacing is not even but reflects where the best spots are to have them available.
Run photography will be provided free to runners several days after the race. Smile and give us your best race day pose!
In the event of rain everything will proceed as planned. A little mud is good for the soul.
The Course
Please note that the course passes over private land so we’re not able to provide a full GPX for training. We will add a few options to get your legs race ready once we’re confirmed on the course for 2026!
Vehicle access to Aid Stations:
Note: Collingwood St access is cut off after Purple Hill Lane, please use the Caroline St detour (follow the signs north onto Collingwood, then west onto Caroline, then back to Collinwood via 6/7 Sideroad.
Aid Station 2/5 is accessed around the Caroline St detour, to 6/7 Sideroad and then right on Collingwood St.
Aid Station 3/4 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 6 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 3/4 to Aid Station 6)!