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One of Northern Ontario’s most beloved and challenging trio of races is back for its sixth year. The Wawa Trifecta is one wild weekend that will see runners take part in up to three races over two days that will test their endurance and determination.
The Wawa Trifecta has grown by leaps and bounds over the six years of the event. Event organizer Brian Lachine came up with the idea after joining a trifecta race event in Michigan several years ago.
He loved the camaraderie and sense of community from the event, so he wanted to bring something similar to Wawa.
What started in year one with five passionate racers has now grown into a field of over 70 racers for the 2025 trifecta. It features a standard 6-kilometre race and a 1.5 kilometre hill climb on Saturday, followed by the 22-kilometre trail race on Sunday.
Only $30 to run in three races over two days
“It’s an event that we’re trying to keep at a low price to make it accessible for people to enjoy,” Lachine said. It’s a very fun, easy event and a good introduction to new runners who are trying to push themselves. But it’s also challenging enough for serious runners.”
With registration only being $30 for all three races, it’s a cost-effective way for running enthusiasts to test their limits, while also getting out and enjoying the beauty of Wawa. So far, they’ve had people register from as far away as Windsor, Timmins and Chapleau.
Participants can sign up for one event, two, or all three of the races in the Wawa Trifecta. So far, they’ll have 27 runners taking part in all three, who will compete for the best overall times in the men’s and women’s divisions.
While the 6km race at the Wawa Municipal Airport is the most popular, the 1.5km hill climb at Scenic High Falls Road should not be taken lightly. It’s about 300 metres of incline in a short amount of time.
“To me, that’s the hardest of all three races,” Lachine said. “The winner of the hill climb last year did it in eight minutes, which is phenomenal. It starts off steep and then it flattens out and you think: ‘Oh, this is easy.’ Then, the real climb happens in the second half. It gets you good.”
Tales of adversity and triumph on the trails
Over the years, Lachine has seen some incredible moments of triumph and adversity during the Wawa Trifecta races. Last year, they had one racer finish the 6-kilometre race in one shoe after it came off mid-race. Another competitor pushed herself not only to run her first race ever, but to complete all three.
“It was one of the most epic things to see her finish a 22-kilometre race when she’s never run a day in her life,” Lachine said. “She’s a weightlifter and just trains with weights. It was so inspiring. And when she finished, she said: ‘I’m never doing this again.’”
Whether they’re a seasoned athlete or trying something outside of their comfort zone, all runners are welcome to sign up for the Wawa Trifecta. And since the registration cost is so low at $30, what is there to lose? Youth registrants 10 to 17 years old can run for free and they also receive a free ice fishing rod.
The Wawa weather adds another layer of unpredictability to the races, so it’s best to prepare for wind, rain and sometimes, even snow. Even if they have to brave the elements, the Wawa Trifecta is one event that runners always love to circle on their calendars.
“People are happy that there’s an event like this in Northern Ontario,” Lachine said. “That’s one of the biggest things that we hear.”
It may seem like an odd tie-in at first, but hot dogs are the official post-race treat of the races at the Wawa Trifecta. Following the 22km event at Wilderness Helicopters, there’s a post-race BBQ at the Lachine household for runners to catch up and celebrate the day’s accomplishments.
Registration is still open for the Wawa Trifecta, happening this Saturday, October 18, and Sunday, October 19.
Sign up for one, two or all three races.
Find out more at TheWawaTrifecta.ca.