Welcome to the 2026 Steep Ultra Marathon, and thank you to all of our volunteers and sponsors that helped bring this year together.

EP1 - Steep Ultra Overview

This video introduces runners to the incredible region surrounding Steep Ultra and highlights the partners who make this event possible. You’ll get a quick look at the landscapes we race through, the organizations who support our event, and the stewards who maintain the trails we rely on throughout the 50km and 100km courses.

What’s Covered in This Intro

  • A welcome to Corner Brook and the surrounding trail systems

  • Recognition of our event sponsors who help bring Steep Ultra to life

  • Appreciation for the stewards and volunteers who maintain the trails we use

  • A brief look at the terrain and natural features runners will encounter

Relay Checkpoint locations and transition process demonstration.

EP2 - 50km Relay Overview

This video explains how the Steep Ultra 50km Relay works, including the locations of all relay checkpoints and a demonstration of the proper exchange process.

50km Relay Exchange Instructions

The 50km relay has three official exchange checkpoints along the course:

  • Humber Village Bridge

  • Marble Mountain Aid Station

  • Massey Drive Aid Station

Each checkpoint has a clearly marked Relay Corral. All relay exchanges — including continued legs — must happen inside this corral.

How Relay Exchanges Work

  • When you arrive at your checkpoint, identify yourself to the relay volunteer so they know you’re the teammate waiting.

  • Wait outside the corral until your runner is approaching.

  • When your teammate gets close, enter the Relay Corral.

  • Complete the exchange with a high‑five inside the corral.

  • Once the volunteer confirms the exchange, the next runner continues on the course.

If You’re Running Two Legs in a Row

Even if you are continuing to the next checkpoint (doing two legs in a row), the process is exactly the same:

  • You still enter the Relay Corral.

  • You high‑five yourself inside the corral.

  • You tell the same relay volunteer your bib number, team name, and that you are continuing.

  • The volunteer acknowledges it, and then you head out for your next leg.

This keeps timing accurate and ensures every relay team follows the same consistent process.

EP3 - Drop Bag Locations & Instructions

Drop bags will be available at three aid stations on the course:

  • Man in the Mountain Aid Station

  • Humber Village Aid Station

  • Marble Mountain Aid Station

Please clearly label your drop bags with:

  • Your Name

  • Your Bib Number

  • The Aid Station Name

Bring your labeled drop bags to Race Kit Pickup & Bag Drop on September 4th, 5–8 PM, at Margaret Bowater Park. There will be three separate drop‑bag bins, one for each aid station. Make sure you place your bag in the correct bin.

This ensures your gear gets to the right location on race day.

EP4 - Aid Station Food

At every major aid station on the course, runners will have access to a consistent set of fuel options to keep them moving strong throughout the day.

What’s Available

  • Water

  • Tailwind Electrolyte Mix

  • Watermelon

  • Bananas

  • Oranges

  • Candy

  • Chips

These items provide quick calories, hydration, and easy‑to‑digest energy for runners at all levels.

EP5 - Parking and Check-in

Video Description — Parking & Start‑Line Arrival (100km, 50km Solo, 50km Relay)
This video gives runners a quick overview of where to park and how to arrive at the start lines for all Steep Ultra race distances. It does not cover drop bags or check‑in procedures — this video focuses strictly on race‑morning logistics related to parking and arrival flow and check-in times.

100km — Parking & Arrival
Start Location: Margaret Bowater Park
Parking: Plenty of parking available at the finish area at Bowater.
Runners can park directly at the start/finish and walk to the start line for the 5:00 AM launch.

50km Solo and RELAY— Parking & Arrival
Start Location: Man in the Mountain Trailhead
Parking: Very limited to no parking available at the 50km start.
Runners should plan to be dropped off by:

  • Family

  • Teammates

  • Taxi

  • Ride‑share

Please do not rely on finding a parking spot at the trailhead — drop‑off only is strongly recommended.

Some parking is available within a kilometer.

Check-in times:

100km check-in time: 4:15 - 4:45am

50km Solo check-in time: 6:00 - 6:45am

50km Relay (Teammate #1 check-in): 7:00 - 7:20am


Who This Helps

  • 100km runners parking at Bowater

  • 50km Solo runners needing drop‑off

  • 50km Relay teams coordinating arrival

  • Crew and family planning logistics

EP6 - Race Rules & Safety Requirements

All runners, pacers, and relay team members must follow these rules for the safety of everyone on course:

General Rules

  • No headphones — you must be able to hear volunteers, traffic, and other runners.

  • No pets — pets are not permitted on course.

  • Watch for traffic — roads and trails are not closed; stay alert at all crossings.

  • Pack in, pack out — take all your litter with you; do not leave anything on the course.

Check‑In / Check‑Out (Mandatory)

  • All runners and pacers must check in and check out at every aid station.

  • This is extremely important for safety and tracking.

  • Volunteers must confirm your bib number at each station before you continue.

Pacers

  • Pacers may enter and exit the course at:

    • Marble Mountain Aid

    • Humber Village Aid

    • Massey Drive Aid

  • Pacers must check in and check out just like runners.

  • Pacers cannot carry supplies or provide external assistance.

Relay Teams

  • All Relay Teams are fully configured now and can no longer be changed. You can change who does which section of the course but no new members to be added.

  • Relay exchanges happen only at the three relay checkpoints.

  • Relay runners must check in and out inside the Relay Corral.

  • Humber Village Relay Checkpoint is separate from the aid station to avoid extra traffic in the community and on the bridge.

  • This setup keeps the community comfortable and still gives relay teams a fun, smooth exchange point.

Out‑and‑Back Mandatory Sections

  • Man in the Mountain (MITM)

  • Marble Radar Station These out‑and‑backs are required for all runners and pacers.

External Assistance

  • No external assistance is allowed.

  • You may sit in a vehicle to rest, but you cannot receive help or be moved along the course in any way.

EP7 - 100KM Course Review

Newfoundland’s own Wayne Walsh takes you on a full walkthrough of the first 50km of the Steep Ultra 100km course — showing you exactly what terrain you’ll face, how the route flows, and what to expect on race day.

From rugged climbs to rolling ridgelines, river crossings, forested singletrack, and the signature Man in the Mountain ascent, Wayne breaks down every major section with practical tips, pacing advice, and insights from years of experience on these trails. If you’re running the 100km, this video gives you a clear look at the entire first half of your day — the climbs, the descents, the technical bits, the runnable sections, and the mental checkpoints that will set you up for success.

Whether you’re a local trail runner or traveling in for the race, this walkthrough is the best preview you’ll get of the terrain you’ll be tackling for 7+ hours before you even reach the turnaround. Wayne covers:

  • The full route from Corner Brook to Man in the Mountain Key climbs and technical sections

  • Where to conserve energy vs. where to open up Terrain changes and how to adapt Aid station flow and strategy

  • What to expect mentally during the first 50km How to set yourself up for a strong second half

This is your inside look at the Steep Ultra — straight from someone who knows these trails.

EP8 - 50KM Course Review

Newfoundland’s own Wayne Walsh takes you through the full 50km direction of the Steep Ultra course, showing you exactly what you’ll encounter from the Man in the Mountain trailhead all the way to Margaret Bowater Park. This walkthrough covers every major climb, descent, ridgeline, and aid station you’ll hit during the first half of the 100km — the same terrain you’ll face again later in the day.

Wayne breaks down each leg of the course exactly as outlined in the 2026 Runner’s Guide:

Leg 1 — Man in the Mountain to Wild Cove (9.5 km, 670m gain) A steep opening climb from sea level to the summit, including the mandatory out‑and‑back to the lookout. Remote singletrack, deep valleys, and huge Humber Valley views.

Leg 2 — Wild Cove to Humber Village (7.0 km, 370m gain) A steep climb back to the ridgeline, rolling singletrack, and a winding descent into Humber Village. Relay runners continue past the aid station to CP1 at the bridge.

Leg 3 — Humber Village to Marble Mountain (7.8 km, flat/fast) A rare flat section through Steady Brook and onto quad trail before reaching Marble Mountain Aid.

Leg 4 — Marble Mountain to Massey Drive (13.6 km, 740m gain) Scenic bike trails, forested connectors, and the mandatory out‑and‑back to the Doppler — the highest point on the course. Technical terrain and big views.

Leg 5 — Massey Drive to Margaret Bowater Park (13.6 km, 390m gain) Quarry views, rolling ridgelines above Corner Brook, and the final descent through the Gorge to the finish.

For full details, cutoff times, mandatory gear, relay rules, pacer rules, and safety requirements, please read the latest Race Manual on our website. You’ll also find all of our other race‑info videos and the volunteer form there — we still need amazing volunteers, and they will be hugely appreciated by every runner on course.