Racers loading buses to head to the start line 2024

For over 15 years the Medicine Hat Massacre Race has been running the Saturday before mothers day. Currently run by Southeastern Alberta Search and Rescue this race celebrates the beautiful nature, history, and uniqueness of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. 

The Full Race – Starting in the dark at 0400 hours, you and your race partner will attempt to hit a series checkpoints spread throughout the park within 9hrs. Hiking, biking, paddling  your way  through the bush with only a map and compass to guide you.

Teams must provide their own watercraft – Kayak, Canoe, SUP.

The Lite Race – This shorter event (4.5 hours) is designed for newcomers, families, and anyone wanting to get a taste of adventure racing. The race starts at 0830 hours. Lite Racers get the advantage of using a GPS in addition to a map and compass! Hike, bike, paddle, and just have fun!

SEASAR – South Eastern Alberta Search And Rescue
Owned and operated by SEASAR, the Medicine Hat Massacre Adventure Race is non-profit! All of the race proceeds go to SAR efforts in Southern Alberta! And because the race is operated by trained SAR volunteers, you’ll be in good hands if you get a little lost in the Hills! 

Our Name

Having several prominent trading posts nearby, the Medicine Hat area was home to many historical events in the early Northwest Territories.  Some of the more famous were The Cypress Hills Massacre, the Sweetgrass Hills Massacre, and the Seven Persons incident.  The first two were clashes between trappers (traditionally identified as American “Wolfers”) and native groups of various types.  The last was the sudden death (no reliable cause has been established, but violence was suspected) of seven white people at their camp near what is now named Seven Persons.

Although these events figure prominently in the early history of Canada, and galvanized the deployment of law enforcement west, they form no part of our Adventure Race.  Formed in 2008, our race evolved out of a spring training exercise for local Adventure Race teams in preparation for longer competitions (24-36 hour) later in the summer.  The name is just a reference to extreme exertion, and maybe how our legs felt after a long winter off! Any other association is coincidental.

We can’t wait to see you all again in May!