Great Divide Trail FKT is a 1,130km ultra marathon in Waterton Lakes, Canada. Distance: 1130km. Elevation: 35,000m D+. Difficulty: legendary (Challenge Rating 60/100). Time limit: 720h. Surface: trail. Established 2010.
Great Divide Trail FKT
Waterton Lakes, Alberta, Canada
"1,130km along the Continental Divide. Grizzly bears and the Canadian Rockies."
A fastpacking traverse of the Great Divide Trail — 1,130km through grizzly country.
The Course
Thru-run of the Great Divide Trail along the Continental Divide of the Canadian Rockies. Remote wilderness with grizzly bears.
mountainous
point-to-point
Runner Experience
Self-supported race — runners carry all supplies. Checkpoints for timing and safety only.
Intimate finish in a remote setting. The camaraderie of shared hardship creates deep bonds between finishers.
Race Day Weather
12°C
045%
35%
Canadian Rockies summer — pleasant but variable.
Stats & Records
2010
15
336:00:00
264:00:00
Jeff Garmire (2021)
432:00:00
Naomi Fawcett (2022)
Entry
$0
January
—
Lore & Trivia
The Great Divide Trail stretches 1,130km along the Continental Divide through the Canadian Rockies — from Waterton Lakes on the US border to Kakwa Provincial Park in northern British Columbia. The FKT (Fastest Known Time) attempt is one of the most remote and committing challenges in North American ultra running. There are grizzly bears, river fords, sections with no trail at all, and stretches of 200+ km between resupply points. The record has been pushed down over the last decade as fastpacking athletes bring ultrarunning efficiency to what was once a 6-week thru-hike.
- ▸ One of the most remote long trails in North America.
- ▸ Grizzly bear encounters are common — bear spray is mandatory.
- ▸ Several sections require bushwhacking and river crossings.
The GDT is 1,130 kilometres of Canadian Rockies with no support and no safety net. You're on your own with the grizzlies.
Notable Editions
Garmire's Record Push
Jeff Garmire completed the Great Divide Trail in 11 days, pushing through grizzly country, river fords, and sections with no trail at all to set a record that showed the FKT format at its most extreme.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Great Divide Trail FKT? +
Great Divide Trail FKT is a 1,130km (1130km) ultra marathon with 35,000m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on trail terrain.
How hard is Great Divide Trail FKT? +
Great Divide Trail FKT is rated legendary with a Challenge Rating of 60/100 (Challenging). Runners have 720 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Great Divide Trail FKT? +
Average temperature is 12°C with 45% humidity and a 35% chance of rain. Canadian Rockies summer — pleasant but variable.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Great Divide Trail FKT? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required. Self-navigation is required.
What is the course record for Great Divide Trail FKT? +
The men's course record is 264:00:00 set by Jeff Garmire in 2021. The women's course record is 432:00:00 set by Naomi Fawcett in 2022.
What is the average finish time for Great Divide Trail FKT? +
The average finish time is 336:00:00. About 15 runners finish each year.
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