Public Statement – North Sun Ultra Race Damages Trails

Good day, everyone.

Last weekend, the North Sun Ultra marathon ran through the single-track network from the goldbar area and west towards Jan Reimer park, and trails in-between, while the trails were still saturated. Unfortunately, several low-lying and clay-based sections suffered noticeable rutting and widening as hundreds of runners tried to navigate the soft surface.

We want the community to know that North Sun Ultra’s organizers reached out to EMBA within hours of the finish line. They take the impact seriously and are already working with us on next steps. Together, we are:

1. Conducting a joint assessment of every damaged segment to document erosion, drainage issues, and vegetation loss.

2. Crafting a repair plan that meets City of Edmonton standards and EMBA’s trail-building best practices.

3. Scheduling targeted volunteer days—with North Sun’s runners stepping up alongside our trail crew—to restore tread, improve drainage, and re-establish native vegetation.

4. Developing wet-weather contingency protocols and possible route adjustments to prevent a repeat scenario.

How you can help

• Please stay off freshly damaged segments until repairs are complete; additional traffic will deepen ruts and slow healing.

• Watch for our upcoming volunteer call-outs. We’re especially encouraging members of the running community—who know these trails well—to take the lead on the repair days, but every set of hands (riders, hikers, dog-walkers) makes a difference.

• Spread the word about responsible wet-weather trail use. Choosing alternative routes when conditions are soft preserves our network for everyone.

We’ll share a detailed work schedule and progress updates as soon as the assessment wraps up. Thank you for your patience, and for always advocating for healthy, sustainable single-track in Edmonton.

Ride—and run—responsibly,

EMBA Board & Trail Crew