Sault Ste. Marie can give you a new year's challenge to aim for!
New year, new goals, new adventures – and Sault Ste. Marie is ready to deliver. Forget vague resolutions like “get fitter” or “be more active.” In 2026, you can aim higher: pick a date, pick a trail, pick an event – and turn your training into an epic adventure.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a family looking for challenge, or a hardcore adrenaline junkie looking for 2026’s adventure, there’s an event here with your name on it. Ready to see what’s waiting?
Frozen Toe – February 7th
Fat Bike Race | All levels welcome
Who says winter is for hibernating? Not in Sault Ste. Marie. The Frozen Toe is your chance to ride snow-covered trails, embrace the chill, and feel alive on two fat tires. The challenge begins with a 10km ride perfect for riders who want a taste of winter fat biking without committing to an odyssey. At the other end of the scale is a 50km endurance race for those hardcore winter warriors who don’t feel like they’ve been outside unless their eyelashes have frost on them.
The event is proof that biking season in the Soo doesn’t end when the temperature drops – the tires just get fatter.
Community Strong Race Weekend – June 20th & 21st
Running Races | All levels welcome
If running along the sparkling St. Marys River and the beautiful waterfront doesn’t get your heart racing, we don’t know what will. The Community Strong Race Weekend has options for everyone: from family fun colour-runs to marathon-level endurance challenges. And if you’re tackling the marathon, trust us, the scenery alone will make it worth every step, plus its an official Boston Marathon qualifier!
Salty Marie Trails Fest – July 24–26, 2026
Mountain Bike Race | All levels welcome
Mountain bikers, unite! The Salty Marie Trails Fest celebrates all things bike, from beginner-friendly rides to heart-pounding MTB challenges. And after the ride? Kick back with live music, local food, cold drinks, and a true après-ride atmosphere at the start/finish line. Join the growing mountain bike community and experience why Sault Ste. Marie is quickly becoming an all-season biking mecca.
Its not just riders, the Salty includes a 10km, 25km and, new to 2026, a 50km trails running race too! Check out the website for info, registration open January 15th!
Crank The Shield – August 21st - 23rd
Mountain Bike Race | For the endurance elite
Only the fearless need apply. Crank The Shield is a bucket-list MTB event for riders who crave tough terrain, long climbs, and unforgettable trails. Three days of riding, each day a new challenge, plus on the final day you get to ride the new trail system at Hiawatha Highlands – the trails that are all the buzz in the cycling community these days. The only question remaining is: Are You Ready?
Use promo code ‘CRANK50’ for $50 off for a limited time!
Canadian XCM MTB Championships – September 5th–6th
Mountain Bike Race | Advanced riders
The Soo is stepping onto the national stage. The 2026 Canadian XCM MTB Championships are coming to Sault Ste. Marie for the very first time, bringing top-tier competition to our trails. If you’re a serious mountain biker, this is your chance to ride fast, race hard, and be part of Canadian cycling history. Registration opens soon – don’t miss your shot.
Soo 200 – September 11th - 15th
Trail Running Race | Hardcore only
Warning: This is not for the faint of heart. We mean it, in fact, stop reading, skip to the next event, because only the toughest of the tough will be interested… The Soo 200, run by Sinister Sports will test every ounce of your trail-running grit. 200 miles (that’s right) over the rugged Canadian Shield terrain, this bucket-list race is beautiful, brutal, and only for the truly hardcore. If you like suffering with a side of spectacular scenery, this one’s calling your name. Consider yourself teased… will you answer?
Your 2026 Adventure Awaits
From fat biking in the deep freeze to racing the rugged trails of the Canadian Shield, Sault Ste. Marie is packed with challenges that turn your fitness goals into unforgettable adventures. So, what are you waiting for? Pick your challenge – and make 2026 the year you truly train, explore, and conquer.
Frequently asked questions
Sault Ste. Marie enjoy 4 seasons of weather, all of which are manageable and have their own characteristics. Winter is snowy, but the roads are ploughed quickly, spring and summer is warm and beautiful, fall shows off our famous fall colours.
Check out our Events page for a full list of events.
Sault Ste. Marie has a number of excellent hotels, motels and campsites downtown, uptown or just to the north of the city. Check out the full list here.