Ultra Trail Stokely Creek now a world class qualifying trail race

The new, 170-km component of Ultra Trail Stokely Creek is now an official qualifying race for Ultra-Trail-du-Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in France – one of the most prestigious trail running events in the world – making it the only qualifying race of its kind in Ontario. 

“I know what it means in my running career to go and complete a race that is worth points to get you into the qualifying lottery. It is always something that will live in your heart - your races that will get you to the big race,” said Ultra Trail Stokely Creek organizer Nick Brash. 

The news received by Brash from UTMB came down via email Tuesday morning, while he was preparing to head to Timmins for the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit, where Ultra Trail Stokely Creek picked up a Destination Northern Ontario Industry Leader Award as Tourism Innovator of the Year. 

Brash says the feeling right now is simply indescribable. 

“You can’t tell the story of running in France unless you tell the story of how you qualified for France,” said Brash. “So we’re going to be a part of some people’s stories. That’s what this whole initiative is, helping people write their stories to get to their dreams.”

“You know what? I’m kind of having a dream-come-true moment myself right now.”

Ultra Trail Stokely Creek had to first apply to the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) by submitting GPX data of the courses in Stokely Creek before submitting an application to UTMB.

The 32-km, 55-km, 85-km and 170-km trail running routes were all subsequently approved and certified as ITRA races.  

“When they sifted through our four distances that ITRA approved, they pulled out the 100-miler that we’re going to start this year, and they said this is officially a qualifier,” said Brash. “You know, I kind of felt like I was dreaming when it happened.”

Brash credits the Algoma region, home to some of the largest mountains in Ontario, as being instrumental in Ultra Trail Stokely Creek’s bid to become a world-class qualifier. 

“This course that we’ve built is a gigantic task for any runner, whether they be elite or novice, to get through because of the Algoma highlands and how rocky, and how much climbing there is on these courses,” he said. “I mean, without that course, there’s no reason to even submit an application – because if you’re submitting a flat race with no climbing, a mountain running institution like the Ultra-Trail-du-Mont-Blanc isn’t even going to look at you.”

Brash hopes to get at least 50 runners to Ultra Trail Stokely Creek for the 170-km race next year. 

“It’s a lot to bite off and a lot to chew, that distance. But we think if we get that many, it will sort of start snowballing into possibly getting upwards of 300 to 400 people in that long distance, within that five-year span that we’re looking at now,” he said. 

As general manager for the local Holiday Inn Express, Brash believes Ultra Trail Stokely Creek could be a boon for hoteliers and tourism operators in the Algoma District. 

“I’m hoping that I’ve created a demand generator to come to our area - not just at the Sault,” said Brash. “People will want to be staying at Stokely Creek Lodge, people want to be staying at the little cabins and the Airbnbs around there, and really getting a feel for northern Ontario in the fall.” 

Brash says that the race wouldn’t have been as successful without the support of sponsors, runners, volunteers and the executive team backing Ultra Trail Stokely Creek from the start. 

“It was just a dream from day one, and I’m having these moments now where you’re actually getting a chance to recognize a dream coming true, and I owe it all to northern Ontario and Algoma country and Sault Ste. Marie for giving me the opportunity to succeed,” he said. “Without all of that help, I wouldn’t have anything.”

Next year’s Ultra Trail Stokely Creek takes place Oct. 2-3.