2026 5 Peaks Trail Running Series: Kelso

The 2026 5 Peaks Trail Running Series: Kelso takes place on May 2 in Milton, Ontario and is organized by 5 Peaks. It joins the national 5 Peaks circuit that stages trail races across Canada and brings a one-day festival of trail running to the Kelso Conservation Area.

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The event offers a range of distances to suit families and experienced trail runners alike: Kid's 1 km and 3 km races, a Sport run of 6.9 km, an Enduro of 13.8 km and a Grit of 20.6 km. Onsite packet pickup opens at 8:15 a.m.; the Grit field starts at 9:00 a.m., hikers and power pacers at 9:10 a.m., the kids’ races at 9:15 and 9:35 a.m., the Enduro at 10:00 a.m. and the Sport at 10:30 a.m.

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Kelso stands out for its conservation-area setting and community-oriented format. Runners can pre-purchase sustainably sourced wooden finisher medals made in Canada, and additional swag is available through Race Roster or on race day while supplies last. The event is cup-free — water and electrolyte drink are provided at the start/finish and at one or more aid stations, so participants should bring a bottle or hydration system for longer efforts. Awards go to top finishers by gender and age category, and all awards must be picked up at the race.

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Sign up early to secure entry, choose your swag items and reserve optional finisher medals. For questions about volunteering, start lists or course specifics, 5 Peaks provides regional community channels and race-day contact information.

• Start/finish at Kelso Conservation Area (event staging and best spectator viewing at the main start/finish area)
• Race surface is natural trail singletrack with technical sections; organizers advise against poles and headphones for safety
• Distances: Kid's 1 km and 3 km; Sport 6.9 km; Enduro 13.8 km; Grit 20.6 km
• Water and electrolyte drink available at start/finish and at one or more aid stations on course (cup-free — bring a personal receptacle)
• Washroom facilities available at the start/finish area; parking at Kelso is limited so carpooling is recommended

• Wooden finisher medals: Optional sustainably sourced wooden medals made in Canada are available for pre-purchase through Race Roster.
• Cup-free event policy: Water and electrolyte drink are provided at start/finish and at one or more aid stations — runners should bring their own bottle or hydration system for longer races.
• Kid and adult-friendly options: Two kids’ races (1 km and 3 km) plus three adult distances (6.9 km Sport, 13.8 km Enduro, 20.6 km Grit) on the same day.
• Technical trail sections: Organizers note course technicality and restrict poles, dogs and headphones to preserve safety and flow on singletrack.
• Onsite packet pick-up and swag sales: Packet pickup opens at 8:15 a.m. and additional swag can be purchased on race day while supplies last.