register

RUN

2026 REGISTRATION opens January 15

EVENT WEEKEND

JULY 24-26, 2026

RACE HARD. HANG OUT HARDER!

Welcome to The Salty Marie Trails Fest – where the ride is wild, the vibes are high, and the good times roll all weekend long. Now in its fourth year, this celebration of all things trail is bigger, better, and saltier than ever.

Hosted at the legendary Hiawatha Highlands in Sault Ste. Marie, The Salty Marie is your chance to experience the city’s growing trail scene – whether you're here to race, cruise, cheer, or chill.

This isn’t just for the podium-chasers. It’s for weekend warriors, casual cruisers, and trail-loving families too. From epic races to scenic rides, tasty eats from local food vendors, cold drinks, cool gear, and all-around great energy – there’s something for everyone at the arena.

Come for the trails. Stay for the party.
Let’s get salty.

register

MTB

RUN

DECISIONS...DECISIONS...

What race should I choose?

Now that’s a real dill-emma.

Choosing your race doesn’t have to be complicated. The golden rule: pick a distance that matches (or slightly stretches) your longest ride or run to date. If you’re feeling bold, go a little extra salty and level up.

Comfortable around 7 km?
👉 Low Sodium 10 km - just enough bite to keep things interesting.

Logged 18 km and feeling brined and ready?
👉 Saline Short 25 km - more flavour, more trails, more bragging rights.

Never gone 50 km, but you’ve crushed 35 km and want to see what you’re made of?
👉 The Big Pickle 50 km - grab the jar, commit fully, and embrace the consequences.

Bold choices. Questionable decisions. Excellent stories afterward.

Mountain Bike Events

Kids 2 km — Little Gherkins

A short, confidence-building loop designed for young shredders.

All the fun, none of the overwhelm. Big smiles guaranteed.

Low Sodium 10 km

Approachable, playful, and fast. This is the perfect introduction to racing at Salty Marie—flowy singletrack with just enough spice to keep it exciting.

Saline Short 25 km

A full-flavoured ride that serves up technical sections, punchy climbs, and rewarding descents. Ideal for riders ready to test their legs and line choices.

The Big Pickle 50 km

Long. Salty. Unapologetic. This is the marquee challenge—an endurance-focused ride that demands patience, grit, and a strong relationship with your water bottle.

Trail Running Events

10 km — The Light Brine

Fast, runnable, and deceptively fun. A great entry point for trail runners looking to dip their toes into salty territory without overcooking it.

25 km — The Full Brine

Balanced and bold. Enough distance to demand respect, enough variety to keep your brain engaged. This is where pacing, nutrition, and smart decisions matter.

50 km — The Salt Cured

Slow-burn suffering, fully preserved. This ultra-distance challenge is for runners who like their trails long, their climbs honest, and their finish-line emotions intense.

What should my riding or running level be?

You don’t need to be fully cured - or a seasoned shredder -

to take part.

All courses are designed to be challenging but approachable:

No mandatory drops or jumps
Alternate “B-lines” on spicier features
Clear caution signage where things get extra salty
Walking a section is always acceptable

This is a festival, not a salt mine.

What kind of bike should I ride?

Bring something built for dirt and smiles:

Mountain bike (hardtail or full suspension)
Fat bike
Single speed? Always welcome. Respect.

If it rolls confidently on trails, you’re good to go.

Note for Parents

If your child has participated in the Sault Cycling Club’s KSS (Kids Shredding Singletrack) program, they’ve likely already ridden every trail featured in the Low Sodium 10 km. They’re more prepared than they might let on—and probably braver than you think.