DARK 50
- Date Sat 26th July 2025
- Location New England Settlement, NB
- Races 4 races
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating night of adventure at the DARK 50, taking place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in the beautiful Grand Lake area of Sunbury, New Brunswick. This unique trail running event invites participants to embrace the thrill of running in the dark along the stunning mountain bike trails of Minto. Runners will tackle a challenging 50-ish kilometer course, consisting of 10 loops of approximately 5 kilometers each, starting at 10 PM.
Whether you're a seasoned ultra-runner or looking for a fun challenge with a friend, the DARK 50 also offers a 2-person relay option, making it accessible for all fitness levels. As the second race in New Brunswick with a UTMB Index, this event is perfect for those aiming for prestigious international races. Participants can enjoy a fantastic camping experience at the nearby Tiny Trails campground, complete with breakfast served by a chef after the race. Prepare for an unforgettable night of camaraderie and achievement under the stars at the DARK 50!
Whether you're a seasoned ultra-runner or looking for a fun challenge with a friend, the DARK 50 also offers a 2-person relay option, making it accessible for all fitness levels. As the second race in New Brunswick with a UTMB Index, this event is perfect for those aiming for prestigious international races. Participants can enjoy a fantastic camping experience at the nearby Tiny Trails campground, complete with breakfast served by a chef after the race. Prepare for an unforgettable night of camaraderie and achievement under the stars at the DARK 50!
Organiser's Description
Imagine you are in the woods, all by yourself. Imagine you have never been here before. Imagine it is dark. Imagine you are wearing your trail running shoes.
THIS IS THE DARK 50!
Dutch Viking Events presents the DARK 50; a 50-ish km race in the dark on the mountain bike trails of Minto on July 26-27, 2025.This is the first event of its kind in the province and we are proud to host it for the third year in a row in conjunction with Tiny Trails campground.
THE RACEThe event has only one distance: 50-ish kilometers. The race will start at 10pm at the end of the New England Road in Minto, there where the mountain bike trails begin. A 5+ km loop will be set up (which you will have to do 10 times) and every loop finishes and starts at this point; you can leave your packs, containers, bags etc. with food and drink here, because we will have at least one person here to make sure everyone is being accounted for. To make sure that you come at the right date: the race starts on Saturday evening!This is the course.The winners will obviously be the ones to finish the 10 loops first.
THE RACE - Relay of 2It is also possible to sign up for a 2-person relay for the DARK 50. This is a great way to do the DARK 50 if the 50K is a bit too much for you. Everything remains the same: swag, breakfast, food and water; you just run half the distance.How does it work? Easy, when the 'gun' goes off runner #1 runs the first lap and after the first lap hands over the bib to runner #2 and so forth till the 10th lap is done! Bib does not have to be pinned, but has to be carried by the current runner. Make sure you have a buddy before signing up; I won't be providing you with one. To be clear, BOTH runners need to sign up!
Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) IndexThe DARK 50 is the second race in New Brunswick that is a UTMB Index race. If you are intending to do one of the UTMB races for which you have to enter a lottery (OCC, CCC, UTMB), you need to have a valid UTMB Index as well as a so-called Running Stone. There are only 50 races in the world where you can get a Running Stone; these races are UTMB World Series.If you would like to know if you already have a valid UTMB index, check here.
RACE KIT PICK UPThe race kit pick up will be at the Tiny Trails campground at the beginning of the New England Road, a kilometer back from the start and will open on Saturday July 27 at 8pm. There you will receive your bib and swag. You then have plenty of time to get to the start line, either by walking or carpooling (parking space at the end of the road is limited).
ACCOMMODATIONYou may be interested in camping the night of and/or before the race. Below you will find the info from Tiny Trails:Tiny Trails is a boutique campground and taproom located 1km from the Minto trailhead. They have 10 campsites in a wooded area which are reserved for this event. To book a campsite or motel room go to www.tinytrails.co and use code DARK50 for $10 off your reservation.There are only 3 motel rooms so these could go quick!Check in Saturday at noon; late check out Sunday at 3pm.Sites are unserviced.Washrooms and showers onsite.
BREAKFASTOnce you are done you go back to the Tiny Trails campground and relax/have a nap till breakfast will be served, which is included in your registration fee. Breakfast will be prepared by a chef and will be served from 6:30am till about 9am.
MINTO MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL SYSTEMThe trails of Minto are a mountain bike Mecca, so you might want to bring your bike if you have one and come a day early or stay a bit longer on Sunday.We encourage runners to purchase a $20 weekend trail pass; this goes directly to MTB Minto to help them maintain the trails. Runners can buy a pass on the Tiny Trails website or in-person at the taproom. This is not mandatory, but your donation is very welcome.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThis is a cup-less event, so make sure you have your own cup with you.We have water and some snacks available at start/finish, but you best bring your own race nutrition with you.There are washrooms at the campground and 2 porta-potties at start/finish.First Aid will be on site.There will be 100 spots available.There will be no refunds or deferrals. A short transfer period will open as soon as the race is sold out. If it sells out, that is.There is no waiting list once sold out.There will be no race day registrations; all registrations will have to be done on-line through Race Roster. On-line registration closes July 25 at 2pm.By registering you automatically sign a waiver basically saying you know the risks of the event and are responsible for your own health and decisions.Although we absolutely love your pooches and we are certain they are well-mannered, dogs are not allowed to participate.After you are done with your race (and before as well) you can hang out around the campfire and relax and have a beer or so. Preferably not before the run, but that’s up to you.If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please get in touch through email to [email protected].
HOW TO GET TO THE RACEComing from Fredericton take Highway 10 to Minto and at the first intersection (where Tim Hortons is on the right) go left onto Main Street.Just keep on following it while it changes names to Centennial Drive and New England Road.Tiny Trails is at number 164 on the right hand side.The actual race will take place at the end of the New England Road, about 2 kilometers away.
Important!The event fee now includes the Race Roster fee so what you see is what you pay!
THIS IS THE DARK 50!
Dutch Viking Events presents the DARK 50; a 50-ish km race in the dark on the mountain bike trails of Minto on July 26-27, 2025.This is the first event of its kind in the province and we are proud to host it for the third year in a row in conjunction with Tiny Trails campground.
THE RACEThe event has only one distance: 50-ish kilometers. The race will start at 10pm at the end of the New England Road in Minto, there where the mountain bike trails begin. A 5+ km loop will be set up (which you will have to do 10 times) and every loop finishes and starts at this point; you can leave your packs, containers, bags etc. with food and drink here, because we will have at least one person here to make sure everyone is being accounted for. To make sure that you come at the right date: the race starts on Saturday evening!This is the course.The winners will obviously be the ones to finish the 10 loops first.
THE RACE - Relay of 2It is also possible to sign up for a 2-person relay for the DARK 50. This is a great way to do the DARK 50 if the 50K is a bit too much for you. Everything remains the same: swag, breakfast, food and water; you just run half the distance.How does it work? Easy, when the 'gun' goes off runner #1 runs the first lap and after the first lap hands over the bib to runner #2 and so forth till the 10th lap is done! Bib does not have to be pinned, but has to be carried by the current runner. Make sure you have a buddy before signing up; I won't be providing you with one. To be clear, BOTH runners need to sign up!
Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) IndexThe DARK 50 is the second race in New Brunswick that is a UTMB Index race. If you are intending to do one of the UTMB races for which you have to enter a lottery (OCC, CCC, UTMB), you need to have a valid UTMB Index as well as a so-called Running Stone. There are only 50 races in the world where you can get a Running Stone; these races are UTMB World Series.If you would like to know if you already have a valid UTMB index, check here.
RACE KIT PICK UPThe race kit pick up will be at the Tiny Trails campground at the beginning of the New England Road, a kilometer back from the start and will open on Saturday July 27 at 8pm. There you will receive your bib and swag. You then have plenty of time to get to the start line, either by walking or carpooling (parking space at the end of the road is limited).
ACCOMMODATIONYou may be interested in camping the night of and/or before the race. Below you will find the info from Tiny Trails:Tiny Trails is a boutique campground and taproom located 1km from the Minto trailhead. They have 10 campsites in a wooded area which are reserved for this event. To book a campsite or motel room go to www.tinytrails.co and use code DARK50 for $10 off your reservation.There are only 3 motel rooms so these could go quick!Check in Saturday at noon; late check out Sunday at 3pm.Sites are unserviced.Washrooms and showers onsite.
BREAKFASTOnce you are done you go back to the Tiny Trails campground and relax/have a nap till breakfast will be served, which is included in your registration fee. Breakfast will be prepared by a chef and will be served from 6:30am till about 9am.
MINTO MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL SYSTEMThe trails of Minto are a mountain bike Mecca, so you might want to bring your bike if you have one and come a day early or stay a bit longer on Sunday.We encourage runners to purchase a $20 weekend trail pass; this goes directly to MTB Minto to help them maintain the trails. Runners can buy a pass on the Tiny Trails website or in-person at the taproom. This is not mandatory, but your donation is very welcome.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThis is a cup-less event, so make sure you have your own cup with you.We have water and some snacks available at start/finish, but you best bring your own race nutrition with you.There are washrooms at the campground and 2 porta-potties at start/finish.First Aid will be on site.There will be 100 spots available.There will be no refunds or deferrals. A short transfer period will open as soon as the race is sold out. If it sells out, that is.There is no waiting list once sold out.There will be no race day registrations; all registrations will have to be done on-line through Race Roster. On-line registration closes July 25 at 2pm.By registering you automatically sign a waiver basically saying you know the risks of the event and are responsible for your own health and decisions.Although we absolutely love your pooches and we are certain they are well-mannered, dogs are not allowed to participate.After you are done with your race (and before as well) you can hang out around the campfire and relax and have a beer or so. Preferably not before the run, but that’s up to you.If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please get in touch through email to [email protected].
HOW TO GET TO THE RACEComing from Fredericton take Highway 10 to Minto and at the first intersection (where Tim Hortons is on the right) go left onto Main Street.Just keep on following it while it changes names to Centennial Drive and New England Road.Tiny Trails is at number 164 on the right hand side.The actual race will take place at the end of the New England Road, about 2 kilometers away.
Important!The event fee now includes the Race Roster fee so what you see is what you pay!
DARK 50