The Black Lung Ultra — part III — returns to Nordegg, Alberta on September 12, 2026. Organized by Coliseum Sports and Entertainment, this edition builds on previous runnings (the event is presented as “part III”) and keeps a strong local flavour rooted in Nordegg’s mining history.

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The main event is a 62-kilometre ultra split into three flagged legs: Leg 1 (Coliseum Mountain) is 22.0 km, Leg 2 (“For the 29 in the Mine”) is 23.3 km, and Leg 3 (“Collieries Closer”) finishes with 14.9 km. The race starts at 07:00 from the Nordegg community hall; solo competitors run all three legs while teams of up to three can each take a single leg. A kids’ side event — the 1.7 km Minor Miners Coal Run through the historic Nordegg Collieries — is part of the weekend programming.

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What distinguishes Black Lung is the combination of rugged mountain terrain, local history and a community-supported race hub. The course tackles Coliseum Mountain’s summit and ridge lines, honours the memory of the 29 miners on the middle leg, and finishes with a run through the Collieries. The Nordegg community hall acts as the main transition and aid hub, where runners find water, electrolytes (Cwench), Sun River Honey Gels, snacks, washrooms and post-race meals. Volunteers from the town staff checkpoints and highway crossings, giving the event a tight-knit, small-town atmosphere.

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Entries for the 62 km solo and relay options are handled through the race’s online registration on Raceroster; interested runners should follow the race registration link to secure a spot.

• Start/finish and main transition at the Nordegg Community Hall in town
• Mixed terrain: singletrack, OHV trails, forestry truck roads, a creek crossing and a rail trail
• Key landmarks: Coliseum Mountain (Leg 1), Eagle Mountain ascent (Leg 2) and the historic Nordegg Collieries (Leg 3)
• Elevation by leg: Leg 1 — 22.0 km / 1,078 m gain; Leg 2 — 23.3 km / 919 m gain and 919 m loss; Leg 3 — 14.9 km / ~303 m gain
• Aid stations and checkpoints include the Ranger Station (≈5.8 km), Coliseum Ridge, the Get 'R' Done aid station, Beaverdam checkpoint and town hall supplies (water, electrolyte, gels, snacks, washrooms and post-race meals)

• Coliseum summit assault: 22.0 km opening leg climbs Coliseum Mountain with 1,078 m of elevation gain on flagged trails.
• Tribute-driven middle leg: “For the 29 in the Mine” is a 23.3 km out-and-back style leg with 919 m of climb/loss that finishes back to town via rail trail.
• Three-leg solo or team option: 62 km total with soloists running all legs or teams of up to three, each running one leg.
• Town-centre transition & aid: Nordegg Community Hall serves as start/finish and main aid station offering water, electrolyte (Cwench), gels, snacks and post-race meals.
• Historic Collieries finale: The 14.9 km final leg routes runners past Nordegg’s historic Collieries with an evening start window and late cutoff.