Event Info
Mudskipper Kenora

Updated December 2024

Full event info Mudskipper Kenora swimrun, held in mid-July each year. Kenora is 210 km due East of Winnipeg, in Ontario, Canada, lying on the Lake Of The Woods. The swimrun event, however, starts at the beach in Garrow Park on Rabbit Lake, on the north side of Kenora.

This event involves significant trail running, and proper trail shoes are strongly recommended. The swim to run ratio of all distances is much higher than usual for swimrun, making this location a great choice for strong swimmers!

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Event Info Mudskipper Kenora swimrun

event banner for the mudskipper swimrun kenora event

Image courtesy Canaqua Sports

Location

Rabbit Lake trails, Garrow Park, 110 Birchwood Crescent, Kenora. This is on the north side of Kenora, in Ontario.

How to get there

First you have to get to Ontario. If you are coming from overseas, the nearest international airport is Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, commonly known as Winnipeg International Airport or Winnipeg Airport. (YWG)

The nearest domestic airport is Kenora Regional (YQK) airport.

The fastest way to get from the airport to Kenora is to hire a car, or by taxi from YQK.

You can also drive; Highway 17 passes through Kenora's urban core, and the Highway 17A Kenora By-Pass goes around the city. Both routes are designated as part of the Trans-Canada Highway 1.

Highway 658 extends northerly from Kenora to Redditt.

Where to stay

There is no specific accommodation recommended by Mudskipper, but there is plenty of choice in the area at AirBnB, Booking.com and other accommodation websites.

Race distances

There are 3 race distances:

A short distance of 5 km
a medium distance of 11 km,
and a longer 'Classic' distance of 20 km.

The 5 km race involves 4 swim legs and 3 running sections. The total swim distance is 1.9 km and total run distance is 3.1 km, giving a swim to run ratio of 40%! A great event for strong swimmers.

The 11 km event includes 3,900 yards of swimming over 3 legs, and 7.8 miles of running, over 4 legs. The swim to run ratio is 33%.

The 20 km event involves 5,200 yards of swimming over 4 legs, and 14.4 miles of running over 5 legs. The swim to run ratio is 25%.

Race routes

All distances have the same Start and Finish area, at Garrow Beach. There are restrooms, changing rooms and showers.

Event Info Mudskipper Kenora swimrun

Energy stations

There are no energy stations around the course, but there is food available at the finish area.

Cut-off times

The 20 km race starts at 8:00am, and the cut-off is 12:00 midday.
The 11 and 5 km races start at 9:00am, and the cut-off for both is also 12:00 midday.

Compete as an Individual or as a Relay

According to the Canaqua Sports website, "you can compete with friends in a relay for the 11km Sprint as a two person team, and in the 20km Qualifier as a two or four person team.

Transitions for the relay will be the main start-finish zone for the race. Athletes will complete one lap of the course (either Loop A or Loop B), then tag their partner to complete the next leg. For the 20km relay, you can divide the loops between your team however you wish, but the transition zone has to be in the start-finish area of the race.

Option Two for the relay is to have you and your partner tethered together to complete the distance as a pair. Local firm Kenora Borealis will supply the tethering in the form of high durability rope than can be attached to a running belt or band. We will not supply the waist band or running belt. This can be great for people who wish to compete with a partner for an added challenge and enjoyment to the race! Nothing gets you more motivated than competing with a friend!

Swim OR Run Relay Option

Want to compete but doing a combination run and swim is just not in the cards for you? Well we have a THIRD relay option! We call it the Swim OR RUN.

It is very simple; you and your partner register for the race, and on race day you inform the registration team which one of you is the swim athlete, and which of you is the running athlete.

The swimming athlete will start the race off and complete the 500m out-and-back open water swim. Upon returning to the beach, they will tag the running partner to complete the 1.6km 'Finish Loop'. Hand-over during the race will be in the transition zone of Garrow Beach, and each athlete will complete each of their legs 3 times before finishing."

Mudskipper Swimrun Kenora Loop A route map

Image courtesy Canaqua Sports

Mudskipper Swimrun Kenora Loop B route map

Image courtesy Canaqua Sports

Mudskipper Swimrun Kenora Loop C Route Map

Image courtesy Canaqua Sports

Mudskipper Swimrun Kenora Relay Route Map

Image courtesy Canaqua Sports

Weather

Held in mid-July, the weather is mild but a little unpredictable. The water temperature is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, according to race organiser Canaqua. Wetsuits are not compulsory, but proper trail shoes are strongly recommended.

There is always a chance of cold or wet weather, so you should take suitable clothing for every eventuality!

Summary of event info Mudskipper Kenora

The Mudskipper Kenora swimrun event is at a great location; swimming in fresh water and running on wooded trails with significant challenge!

Check dates for 2025 at our Calendar USA/World 2025 page!

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