2026 5 Peaks Trail Running Series: Area 8

The 2026 5 Peaks Trail Running Series: Area 8 takes place on July 18 in Milton, Ontario, organized by 5 Peaks as one stop on its national trail series. Held at Area 8 Conservation Area, this event brings a compact race day of on‑trail running and kid-friendly races through a popular conservation park.

Race day runs as a single-day festival of distances. Kid's races include a 1 km and a 3 km. Adult distances on the maped routes are Sport (8.1 km), Enduro (16.2 km) and Grit (24.2 km). Packet pick-up opens at 8:00 a.m.; the Grit field starts at 8:30 a.m., hikers and power pacers follow, kids’ races kick off mid-morning, the Enduro starts at 9:30 a.m. and the Sport race starts at 10:00 a.m. An awards ceremony is scheduled once results are compiled, around 12:15 p.m.

Area 8 stands out for its on-trail focus and pragmatic race operations: the event is cup‑free (water and electrolyte drink are available at the start/finish and at one or more on-course aid stations), park admission for racers is added to the race fee so competitors are admitted on race day without paying at the gate, and washrooms are available at the start/finish area. Medals and race swag are available for purchase through Race Roster, and awards go to top finishers by gender and age category, with top-three overall prizes. Spectators and volunteers are welcome, and organizers spell out course safety rules (no dogs, headphones, strollers or nordic poles) because of the technical nature and size of the field.

Sign-up and swag purchases are handled through Race Roster; entrants should register early to secure their preferred distance and any finisher items.

- **Multiple distance choices:** Kid's 1K and 3K plus adult Sport (8.1K), Enduro (16.2K) and Grit (24.2K) routes.
- **Cup‑free race model:** Water and electrolyte drink are provided at the start/finish and at one or more on-course aid stations—bring a personal bottle if you expect to be out longer than an hour.
- **Park admission included for racers:** Race fee covers park entry for participants so competitors are admitted to Area 8 on race day without additional payment at the gate.
- **Structured award categories:** Medals awarded to top three finishers by gender in each age category and to the top three overall finishers; awards must be picked up at the race.
- **Clear on-course safety rules:** Organizers prohibit dogs, headphones, strollers and nordic poles due to course technicality and field size.