Everything you need to know before hitting the mountain
The Wildside Skyrace is a 28 km mountain course at Apex Mountain Resort, featuring a mix of steep climbs, exposed ridgelines, technical descents and more runnable trail. The route climbs to 2,247 m and includes several distinct sections, including the Apex Summit Grind, the long technical descent of the Gauntlet, the Good, Bad & Ugly climb, and the final major climb of Dirty Harry.
Don't mistake shorter for easy. The Wildside 16K is a serious mountain race in its own right — a chance to experience skyrunning on a shorter course and a demanding race for developing and junior athletes.
The course builds around one major climb to Apex Peak, followed by steep, technical descending where good legs and good decisions both matter. And it saves a particularly nasty piece for the end: a quad-screaming 3 km descent that drops more than 600 vertical metres.
Then, just when your legs are asking for the finish line, Wildside sends you back uphill to get there.
Short, steep and straight to the point. The Wildside Vertical Challenge packs 550 + metres of climbing into just 2.5 km.
There’s a small sting right out of the gate: the course actually drops before the climbing begins. From there, it turns uphill and progressively gets steeper, with the hardest pitches coming in the second half and gradients reaching 38%.
There’s no long descent to recover on and nowhere to hide from the climb. Just keep moving up until you hit the top at 2,172 metres.
25. 550 metres up. How hard could it be?
MINIMUM 1L OF LIQUID HYDRATION
Cupless event. Aid station fills utilize your water containers.
WATER AND WIND-RESISTANT JACKET
Must have a hood.
HEAD COVERING
Toque, beanie or buff.
SPACE BLANKET
TIMING CHIP & RACE BIB
Timing chip and race bib provided. Race bib provided and must be displayed on the front of your body.
MINIMUM 500ML OF LIQUID HYDRATION
No aid stations on the VK course.
WATER AND WIND-RESISTANT JACKET
Must have a hood.
HEAD COVERING
Toque, beanie or buff.
SPACE BLANKET
TIMING CHIP & RACE BIB
Timing chip and race bib provided. Race bib provided and must be displayed on the front of your body.
The Skyrace has a 10-hour overall time limit.
Runners must reach Aid Station 2 within 5 hours of the race start. Runners who do not meet the cut-off will be withdrawn from the race
The Skyrace has a 6-hour overall time limit.
The VK has a 3-hour time limit to reach the summit and complete the course. There is no transportation down from the summit. All VK participants must be prepared to walk back down the mountain to the finish/start area after completing the VK.
The Skyrace has four fully stocked aid stations along the course:
APEX SUMMIT — 7 KM
Your first opportunity to refill and refuel after the initial climb.
TOP OF THE GAUNTLET — 12 KM
A chance to top up before tackling the next major section of the course.
TOP OF BEACONSFIELD- 17.5 km
After that climb you want some nutrition.
BOTTOM OF DIRTY HARRY - 23.5 km
The final aid station comes at the bottom of the course's last major climb, before the run toward the finish.
The Skyrace has two fully stocked aid stations along the course:
APEX SUMMIT — 7 KM
Your first opportunity to refill and refuel after the initial climb.
TOP OF THE GAUNTLET — 12 KM
A chance to top up before tackling the next major section of the course.
There are no aid stations on the VK course. VK participants must carry everything they need for the climb and descent.
FULL RULES
These highlights do not replace the complete Wildside Skyrace, Wildside 16K & Wildside Vertical Rules and Regulations. By participating, runners agree to comply with the full rules and official event instructions.
FOLLOW THE MARKED COURSE
Stay on the designated route. Course cutting, unauthorized shortcuts, and bypassing checkpoints are prohibited.
FOLLOW OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Participants must follow directions from race officials, marshals, medical personnel, land managers, and emergency services.
NO UNAUTHORIZED ASSISTANCE
Pacers, escorts, personal aid stations, and outside assistance are not permitted except at designated aid stations or within 20 m of one.
REPORT HAZARDS & INJURIES
Report significant hazards, missing course markings, or injured participants to the nearest marshal or race official.
IF YOU WITHDRAW, TELL US
Anyone retiring from the race must notify a marshal, checkpoint official, finish official, or event control as soon as possible.
RESPECT THE TRAIL
No littering, damaging vegetation, disturbing wildlife, or leaving the designated route.
BE CONSIDERATE ON COURSE
Overtake safely, give other runners space on narrow or technical terrain, and respect other trail users.
MUSIC & HEADPHONES
Earbuds and headphones are permitted. Speakers are not. Music must be turned off at aid stations and start/finish areas.
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
Required equipment must be carried throughout the event and may be checked at any point. Failure to carry required equipment may result in being stopped or disqualified.
WEATHER & COURSE CHANGES
The organiser may alter, delay, shorten, suspend, or cancel the event when necessary for safety, weather, access, or other operational reasons.
PENALTIES & DISQUALIFICATION
Rule violations may result in a time penalty, withdrawal, disqualification, or exclusion from future events.
FULL RULES
These highlights do not replace the complete Wildside Skyrace & Wildside VK Rules and Regulations. By participating, runners agree to comply with the full rules and official event instructions.
COURSE MARKING
The Wildside Skyrace, Wildside 16K and Wildside VK courses will be clearly marked to help runners follow the designated route.
Markings will be placed at key junctions, changes in direction and other locations where additional guidance is required.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Before race day, we'll post examples here of the flags, signs and other course markings you'll see on the mountain.
STAY ON COURSE
Participants are responsible for watching for course markings and following the designated route. If you're unsure of the route, return to the last confirmed course marking before continuing.
