Crowsnest Pass, Alberta is the location of North America’s only official race in the Skyrunner World Series.

Skyrunning is a sport that has grown in popularity in recent years, and is characterized by running in the mountains at altitude, with significant elevation gain; and, according to Vincent Gumy, the event liaison of the Skyrunner World Series, the Crowsnest Pass will be an “exceptional venue” for a skyrunning race.

“For the first time, the Skyrunner World Series will stop in Canada,” he says, “This is a historic milestone for the sport of skyrunning.”

Minotaur SkyRace in Crowsnest Pass an official race in the Skyrunner World Series

The Skyrunner World series consists of 16 races in 11 countries, and for the first time ever, the series is coming to Canada.

The Crowsnest Pass, AB is located 2 hours south-west of Calgary and will host athletes from all over the world on June 27, 2020 for the Minotaur SkyRace. The 32 km course will take racers onto unique and stunning terrain in the Canadian Rockies — including the iconic Livingstone Range.

The Minotaur SkyRace was created in 2016 and has earned a reputation as a tough, technical mountain race in the high alpine of Crowsnest Pass.

Now for 2020, Minotaur SkyRace has moved to a new format, and not only is the course already published online, it will remain the same from year to year – and with a 2,817 m (9,200 ft) of vertical gain, and an official certification from the International Skyrunning Federation, it promises to become legendary.

“The Minotaur SkyRace is a technical race that will bring athletes to the high and wild Canadian mountains in the heart of the Rockies. Exploring new regions allows us to show the beauty of this sport to the public and to find new skyrunning talents,” says Gunny.

Race organizers for the Minotaur SkyRace consist of long-time Crowsnest Pass residents and business owners, Andrew and Erin Fairhurst, and Ian and Susan Lowe-Wylde.

The group is absolutely thrilled to see their race in such an iconic series and hope to attract a wide range of athletes. In addition to the Minotaur SkyRace, they will be offering the Mini-Taur 10 km – a shorter option for those who wish to partake in a world-class event in stunning mountain terrain.