Mad Trapper

About Us

Meet the people and community behind more than two decades of technical trails, grassroots racing, and stories worth telling.

Built on endurance

Mad Trapper Racing grew from founder and race director Mike Caldwell’s lifelong connection to endurance sport. After discovering cross-country running in high school, Mike moved into Olympic-distance triathlons, completed three iron-distance races, and took on multi-day adventure races lasting from 24 to 72 hours. His ultrarunning experience also includes pacing at the Leadville Trail 100 and Hardrock 100.

Since 2002, Mike has directed more than 150 trail and snowshoe races and welcomed over 10,000 participants to The Ark. The results matter, but they have never been the reason for the series. Mad Trapper is built on a simple belief: the best days are measured less by pace than by the experience shared on the trail.

Mike Caldwell racing on snowshoes during a winter triathlon
Five runners in pink shirts gather at a Power in Pink trail race
A collection of Mad Trapper snowshoes arranged on the floor
Trail runners prepare together before a Mad Trapper race

Mad Trapper by the numbers

Founded
2002
Races directed
150+
Participants welcomed
10,000+
Race distances
3K–50 mi

Real trails, room for everyone

Every Mad Trapper course is designed with intention. Expect technical singletrack, elevation changes, roots, rocks, and terrain that demands attention—drawing on the rugged character of the Gatineau Hills and the private trail network at The Ark.

The trails are challenging, but the start line is welcoming. Shorter 3K and 5K options sit alongside longer races so first-time trail runners, families, and experienced ultrarunners can all find their place. The summer and winter Backyard Ultras also include shorter “Kristi Loops,” named for ultrarunner Kristi Raz, opening the format to more participants without losing its spirit.

Across every distance, the goal remains the same:

  • Challenge yourself
  • Support each other
  • Leave with a story worth telling

A grassroots legacy

The Mad Trapper Snowshoe Race Series began in 2002 as one of the first series of its kind in Eastern Canada. Mike later directed Five Peaks events at Camp Fortune and The Ark from 2004 to 2007, then expanded the Mad Trapper Trail Race Series in 2008. In 2019, The Ark hosted the region’s first Backyard Ultra.

The races have always created opportunities to give back. Power in Pink raised funds for local women living with cancer from 2011 to 2016, while today’s dog-friendly Mica Run supports local animal rescue efforts. Those events—and the people behind them—have helped shape a connected trail-running community across Ottawa and Western Quebec.

Independent roots, recognized standards

Mad Trapper remains proudly grassroots while maintaining connections to the wider trail-running world. Events offer UTMB Index opportunities and align with ITRA standards, with support over the years from partners including Bushtukah Great Outdoor Gear, Atlas Snowshoes, Salomon, and Sugoi.

That balance—technical standards, independent character, and a community that welcomes runners at every stage—defines every Mad Trapper event. Find your next race or contact Mad Trapper to become part of the story.