Wildlife, Weather & Smoke Policies
The Wildlife
Our event takes place in the heart of Jasper National Park — home to an incredible range of wildlife. Because of this, routes may be rerouted, delayed, or cancelled to protect sensitive species or for safety reasons such as mudslides, fires, road maintenance, or other hazards.
Sensitive wildlife includes:
Grizzly and black bears, wolves, cougars, lynx, wolverines, any animal with young, and female elk with hidden calves.
The event may proceed if non-threatening animals (sheep, elk, deer, moose, coyotes, etc.) are nearby unless they are particularly vulnerable (e.g., a moose with newborn young) or aggressive (e.g., elk protecting calves).
Flag System
Working with Parks Canada, we’ve developed a Flag Alert System to guide athlete behavior on-course:
| Flag | Meaning | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| 🟡 Yellow Flag | Wildlife are present in the area, but risk is low. | Reduce speed, stay alert, be prepared to stop or turn around, and maintain a safe distance. |
| 🔴 Red Flag | Wildlife are present and pose a safety risk to participants and/or the animals. | Stop immediately and await instructions from event or park staff. The course may be delayed, rerouted, or temporarily closed. |
Wildlife Contingency Plans
If wildlife of concern is observed:
Marmot Basin Road
A: Remove Marmot Basin Road from course
B: Move turnaround lower (e.g., Portal Creek Trailhead)
Highway 93A
A: Remove 93A from course
B: Adjust turnaround (e.g., Cavell Road, Wabasso Campground, Otto’s Cache, Meeting of the Waters)
Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway)
A: Remove 93 from course
B: Relocate turnaround to a safe alternate location
The Weather
This event is outdoors and may proceed in rain, wind, or moderate weather conditions.
The Organizer is not liable for any loss, damage, or refund requests in the event of poor weather or cancellation.
Only in cases of severe inclement weather will the event be delayed or cancelled. Decisions are made in consultation with Parks Canada and our medical team up to one hour prior to race start. Course changes or reroutes may occur for safety.
The Smoke
With wildfires becoming more common, air quality has become a key consideration.
If the Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast exceeds 7, the event will be cancelled.
While this is not typical, it’s necessary for participant safety and long-term environmental responsibility.
Health Guidance:
Minor air quality issues generally don’t affect healthy individuals, but higher AQI levels can cause eye/throat irritation or shortness of breath.
If you experience symptoms:
Reduce physical exertion and hydrate.
Shelter indoors with windows closed if necessary.
Participants with asthma, COPD, or cardiovascular conditions should carefully monitor symptoms and may wish to avoid strenuous activity in smoky conditions.
Ultimately, participation is each athlete’s personal decision based on their health and environmental comfort.