Fat Dog 120 is a 120 miles ultra marathon in Manning Park, Canada. Distance: 193km. Elevation: 8,500m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 59/100). DNF rate: 35%. Time limit: 42h. Surface: trail. Established 2011.
Fat Dog 120
Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada
"120 miles through British Columbia's Cascade Mountains — remote Canadian wilderness with 8500m of climbing."
A 120-mile wilderness ultra through BC's Cascade Mountains — bear country, alpine meadows, and 8500m of climbing in genuine Canadian backcountry.
The Course
A demanding point-to-point through British Columbia's Cascade Mountains from Manning Park to Princeton. The course traverses alpine meadows, old-growth forests, historic mining trails, and high mountain passes. Remote Canadian wilderness with bear and cougar habitat.
mountainous
point-to-point
10
2,400m
Runner Experience
Remote course with widely spaced aid points. Runners should be prepared for long unsupported stretches.
Intimate finish in a remote setting. The camaraderie of shared hardship creates deep bonds between finishers.
Race Day Weather
12°C
2° – 26°
40%
20%
August in the BC Cascades. Hot in valleys, cold at alpine elevation. Clear and dry most years. Dramatic temperature swings.
Stats & Records
2011
120
35:00:00
18:45:12
Gary Robbins (2019)
24:10:33
Camille Herron (2022)
Entry
CAD 350
November
weeks
Lore & Trivia
Fat Dog 120 traverses Manning Provincial Park and the Cascade Mountains of British Columbia — 120 miles of Canadian wilderness where grizzly bears outnumber trail runners. The course climbs through old-growth cedar forest, crosses alpine passes above 2,200m, and drops into the Similkameen Valley wine country. British Columbia's ultra scene is small but fierce, and Fat Dog is its crown jewel: a race that combines genuine wilderness exposure (bear spray is mandatory, not optional) with world-class mountain terrain. The name comes from a trail running club — the Fat Dog Trail Running Society — whose members believe that running should be fun, wild, and slightly ridiculous.
- ▸ 120 miles through British Columbia's Cascade Mountains.
- ▸ Bear spray is mandatory gear — grizzly encounters are real.
- ▸ The course passes through Manning Provincial Park.
- ▸ Total elevation gain exceeds 8,500m.
- ▸ Named after the Fat Dog Trail Running Society.
- ▸ One of Canada's most prestigious mountain ultras.
- ▸ Old-growth cedar forests on the lower sections are cathedral-like.
Fat Dog is the race where your bear spray is more important than your watch.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Fat Dog 120? +
Fat Dog 120 is a 120 miles (193km) ultra marathon with 8,500m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on trail terrain.
How hard is Fat Dog 120? +
Fat Dog 120 is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 59/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 35%. Runners have 42 hours to finish.
How do I enter Fat Dog 120? +
Must have completed a qualifying 100km+ event. Entry costs CAD 350. with a maximum of 200 starters.
What is the weather like at Fat Dog 120? +
Average temperature is 12°C (range 2°C to 26°C) with 40% humidity and a 20% chance of rain. August in the BC Cascades. Hot in valleys, cold at alpine elevation. Clear and dry most years. Dramatic temperature swings.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Fat Dog 120? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are allowed after 80km. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the course record for Fat Dog 120? +
The men's course record is 18:45:12 set by Gary Robbins in 2019. The women's course record is 24:10:33 set by Camille Herron in 2022.
What is the average finish time for Fat Dog 120? +
The average finish time is 35:00:00. About 120 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 35%.
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