LEG NINE
The K-100 will provide aid stations for runners along Leg Nine. Team support and drop off vehicles will proceed directly to Nakiska to drop off their leg ten runners and cheer on their finishing leg nine runner. The course is marked and there will be volunteers enroute to guide runners but it is still the responsibility of individual runners to know the route. Since the trails are open to the general public, markings can get accidentally moved or broken. Leg maps are provided to the team captains in their race bag and will be available for review at the start of the leg.

START: Service road 250m south of the Boundary Ranch turnoff.

DISTANCE: 12.5 km

DIFFICULTY RATING: 7 - 8

FASTEST RECORDED TIME IN 2006: 0:51.32

PACE: 6:38 per mile

DESCRIPTION: Leg Nine starts out flat but has several elevation changes from 4 km on. Runners will start by running on the paved Evan Thomas Bike path from the service road across from Boundary Ranch. Runners pass Kovach Pond Day Use area and then cross under the Kananaskis Village access road. At this point runners leave the bike path and enter the Ribbon Creek Trail. The trail is slightly uphill to Ribbon Creek Day Use Area. Runners then make a left turn and begin a significant uphill stretch along Terrace Trail. Where Terrace Trail meets Terrace Link, the route turns right and a 1 km flat reprieve begins. At Kovach Link runners turn left and begin to ascend again. The route follows Kovach Link, eventually beginning to go back downhill across the river and right on Ribbon Creek Trail. The next 2.5 km are easy running along the river on a wide path back to Ribbon Creek Day Use area. Another left hand turn at the parking lot will take runners onto Hidden Trail and the final 1.5 km climb to finish at Nakiska.

This leg is challenging, particularly if the trails are wet and muddy, so be prepared. It is also beautiful and much more enjoyable than being on the highway.

For the full leg map, click here.

Thank to our sponsor, BDO.