Middle Path Trail Race 2026

The Middle Path Trail Race takes place Saturday, August 15, 2026 in Peterborough County, Ontario. Organized by Kawartha Lakes Lightning in partnership with Kawartha Nordic and led by race director Darl Sutherland, the event sits inside the Kawartha Nordic trail network and is a stop on the Outrace Series and Athletics Ontario Trillium Running series.

Runners can choose from a range of distances: a 52 km ultra, 26 km, a new 13 km individual race, a 13 km Team Event (teams start together and combine times — not a relay), and a 2 km junior division for athletes under 14. Most longer-distance races start at 7:00 AM, while the junior 2 km goes at 9:00 AM. Organizers publish kit pickup windows in the days before race day and offer on-site pickup the morning of the event.

Middle Path emphasizes low-impact trail racing and community ties. The course runs on Kawartha Nordic’s machine- and volunteer-maintained trails through Canadian Shield woodland; water stations are set up at each loop and at mid-loop points. The event operates as a cupless, green race—runners are asked to bring their own cup or bowl for post-race food—and a modest camping option is available to entrants for a $10 donation that supports the Compassion Project. Race proceeds and fundraising also support local partners including Clothes for Kids with Cerebral Palsy, Brock Mission and YES Shelter.

Entries are handled through Race Roster; fees and registration links are published by the organizers. For race-day logistics and kit pickup times, entrants should register early through the Race Roster entry portal.

- **Trail network at Kawartha Nordic:** Runs use Kawartha Nordic’s Canadian Shield trails—part of a club that maintains 46 km of groomed ski and snowshoe routes across its property.
- **Cupless, low‑impact race:** Water stations are provided at each loop and at mid-loop points; runners bring their own cup or bowl to reduce waste.
- **Team event with combined times:** 13 km Team Event lets an entire team start together and combine individual finish times (not run as a relay).
- **Post-race food with a purpose:** On-site post-race food is available—participants are asked to bring bowls/utensils; camping donations support the Compassion Project.
- **On-course medical support:** Event fields a medical tent on site and has ATV access to assist athletes on the course.