Hurtin' in Haliburton 2026

Hurtin' in Haliburton sends gravel riders into the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve in Haliburton, Ontario, for an 8-hour lap race on private backcountry roads and trails. Riders either go solo or pair up as a duo, then try to complete as many laps as they can before the clock runs out. The format is simple: one 27 km loop, repeated again and again, with each lap adding roughly 330 meters of climbing. The loop uses the forest's old logging roads and trail network, so the riding is rougher than a smooth gravel-road cruise. Expect punchy climbs, rolling gravel, fast sections, rocks that force careful line choices, and sandy pits that can break rhythm without warning. The field includes fast racers and more casual riders, and the event promotes a safe, social, beginner-friendly mood instead of treating the day as only a sufferfest. The wider weekend includes pre-riding, kit pickup, sponsors, and a post-race gathering with food, beer, and live music, with the race built around the idea that everyone starts together and finishes together.