Winter Group Trail Runs
We're excited to continue our Single Track Sundays Group Runs this winter.
We'll be hosting self-supported group trail runs at least once a month on different trails around the province, featuring as many single track trails as we can find. We’ve also scheduled a number of urban trail runs for the winter
We have picked a number of trails around the province to run together. Check our event calendar and social media for updates as route changes may happen based on trail conditions.
We plan to help facilitate carpools before each run to reduce travel emissions and head out together if we’re running outside of Winnipeg. Please be on time if you’d like to carpool! Our meet-up times and locations for carpools will vary depending on which part of the province we’re travelling to.
If you can't make the carpool based in Winnipeg but want to meet us at the trailhead that's okay, too. Trailhead meet-up times will vary, depending on the distance from Winnipeg and will be posted in the event calendar for each date. We may occasionally be able to offer a carpool from Kenora. Details to come.
Please bring your own snacks and water/hydration for the run, and consider something for a tailgate hangout after the run. Plan for these to be at least 5-hour outings if we’re heading out of Winnipeg. We'll often be running for 2-3 hours. If we can we’ll try to find a local cafe to meet at afterwards if people want to continue their trail conversations or warm up before heading home.
We encourage everyone to participate at their own pace. We'll have a MATR organizer on the run, but you should feel free to run as fast or as slow on the route as you feel comfortable. Many routes have loops so that you can do as many (or few) as you feel comfortable.
Save the Dates for Single Track Sundays
December 17: InSeine River Run, Winnipeg
December 21: The Longest Night Run, Winnipeg
January 7: Limestone Loops at Stony Mountain Quarry, Stony Mountain
January 21: Minnewasta Winter Madness, Morden
February 11: Get Lost Lake Loops, Whiteshell Provincial Park
February 25: Monkeying Around (Assiniboine Park), Winnipeg
March 17: It’s Your Lucky Day, Tunnel Island/Kenora
*Trails are subject to change based on conditions/closures. Stay tuned for updates.
FAQ
Do I need to MATR membership to participate?
No. You don’t need to membership to join one of our group runs. However, we hope you'll consider supporting the organization by purchasing a 2024 membership if you plan to join us.
Do you have a route file I can load into my running watch?
Yes! For some of the trails, we have maps on our GiaGPS account where you can review the map and download a .gpx file to load onto your running watch. These routes can then be used with the watch’s navigation function when you’re out running the trail. Depending on the type of watch you have the instructions may vary.
Here’s a shortcut to directions from Garmin, Suunto, and Coros.
Please review individual events on the event calendar for links to the routes.
Do I need to RSVP?
No! You don’t need to RSVP to join one of our group runs. We ask that you be on time for the carpool meet-up for each event so we know how many people are coming with us.
If you want to meet us at the trailhead, that’s okay, too. Please review individual events on the event calendar and make sure you’re at the trailhead BEFORE the time indicated on the event.
We’ll do a head count before we leave the trailhead to make sure we know how many people are out on the trail with us that day.
Do I have to carpool?
The short answer is no BUT we strongly encourage as many people as possible to carpool to reduce our group emissions heading to the trailhead. Carpooling also means we won’t be overwhelming trailhead parking lots, leaving room for other trail users to park their vehicles as well.
Plus a couple of hours in the car with other trail runners is a great way to build new bonds or strengthen old ones.
I’m new to trail running, is this for me?
Yes! You don’t need any experience in running on trails to join any of these runs. We love trail running and want to share that with you. Routes are chosen that provide exposure to a variety of single track and other fun running terrain around the province.
I’m an experienced trail runner, is this for me?
Yes! We’ve picked trails that will challenge both experienced and new trail runners. Most routes have loops so that you can do as many (or few) as you want while we’re out and you should feel free to run as fast as you feel comfortable. On out and back runs feel free to go further than the group if you’re comfortable navigating the trail as long as you can be back at the trailhead in the agreed upon meet up time.
Plus, you have so much to offer others by sharing your experience and love of trail running with people who may be newer to the sport.
Do I need to be able to run long distances to join?
No! While for some people trail running is synonymous with ultra running, we believe that trail running is a sport for everyone, no matter how far you run. Most of the routes we’ve chosen feature a loop of between 6-10 km. You are free to complete as few (or many) loops of the route as you feel comfortable with.
Do I need to be able to run fast to join?
No! We encourage everyone to participate at their own pace. We'll have a MATR organizer on the runs, but you should feel free to run as fast or as slow on the route as you feel comfortable. Many routes have loops so that you can do as many (or few) as you want while we’re out.
We’ll try to have some people in the group dedicated to the party at the back pace, so don’t worry about being left behind!
What should I bring?
These are self-supported group trail runs, which means you are responsible for bringing your own food and water/hydration for the day. Consider something for a tailgate hangout after the run if the weather is nice or at least some snacks to eat on the way home after you’ve efforted!
We’ll often be out on the trail for between 2-3 hours, so make sure you have enough with you for the day.
It’s a great idea to bring a change of clothes (including dry socks, or sandals in the summer), so you can shed your running gear and be comfortable for the ride home.
Sometimes we might opt to stop and jump in a nearby lake, so a bathing suit and towel is never a bad idea in the summer.
What is single track?
Single track, by definition, is a trail that is only wide enough for a single user at a time and trail users travel in single file.
When two parties meet on a single track trail, one must yield to the other. “Yielding” means pulling over to the side of the trail to let another user pass. When yielding, it is polite to alert the other party that they’ve been yielded to and can proceed freely by saying something like “You’re good”.
It is polite to yield to faster runners who are trying to pass from behind where it is possible. It is also polite to yield to faster moving oncoming traffic as well, as it requires more effort for them to slow or stop. Uphill runners yield to downhill runners in most situations, while in the hiking world, it is often downhill hikers who yield to uphill hikers. Keep this in mind when meeting other user-groups on the trail. They might be used to a different set of guidelines than you!