Bison Run 2026

Bison Run 2026 takes place on April 19, 2026 in Wainwright, Alberta and is organized by the Wainwright Runners. This spring road-and-trail event brings together local club members, families and visiting runners for a single-day community race on the Ascot and Area Recreation Trail beside the Bud Cotton Buffalo Paddock.

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The event offers multiple distances to suit a range of paces: a 10 km race, a 5 km run, a 5 km walk and a 2 km kids run. Race day follows a compact schedule — welcome at 9:50 a.m.; the 2 km kids race starts at 10:00 a.m.; the 10 km race and 5 km walk start at 10:30 a.m.; the 5 km run follows at 10:40 a.m.; and awards are scheduled for noon. Packet pick-up takes place the day before at Jack's Place (218 10 St) from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., with morning-of pick-up from 9:00–9:40 a.m.

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What sets Bison Run apart is the setting and the small-community touches. The paved out-and-back course runs alongside a working buffalo paddock and features rolling terrain rather than long flats, plus on-site refreshments (fruit, muffins, bagels). Top finishers receive a handmade ceramic Bison Run mug, and early registrants who sign up before April 1 are guaranteed a free handheld soft flask while supplies last. The club partners with a 12-week to 5K training program that offers a discount for participants, and Ellis Timing provides manual timing with printed times on-site and results posted online.

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Registration follows tiered pricing with early-bird, regular and late windows; participants can register via the official event registration link and contact Wainwright Runners at wainrunners@gmail.com with questions. Volunteers and club members receive additional registration benefits — check the organizer's information for details.

• Start/finish area at 402 4 Ave S, Wainwright; participants are asked to park at Davco (402 4 Ave S) and walk to the start/finish.
• Paved, out-and-back multi-use trail (Ascot and Area Recreation Trail RR#70) running beside the Bud Cotton Buffalo Paddock.
• Course features rolling terrain with short hills; an elevation graph is provided by the organizer.
• Finish-line refreshments include fruit, muffins and bagels; participants are encouraged to bring their own cup or bottle for refills.
• Manual timing by Ellis Timing with official times printed on-site and posted online after the race.

• Scenic buffalo-side course: Paved out-and-back along the Ascot and Area Recreation Trail beside the Bud Cotton Buffalo Paddock with rolling terrain.
• Guaranteed early-bird swag: Register before Apr 1 to be guaranteed a free handheld soft flask (while quantities last).
• Handmade awards: Top finishers receive a handcrafted ceramic Bison Run mug.
• On-site timing & printed results: Ellis Timing provides manual timing; official times are printed at the finish and posted online.
• Family-friendly options: 2 km kids run plus strollers and leashed dogs are welcome, making it easy to bring the whole family.