The Courses

Extreme Swim Course - 3.8km - 2 loops

A 2 loop swim starting at 5am, in the dark, from Skaha beach. The buoys will be lit and a lit kayak will lead the swim to help athletes with sighting. At the end of the first loop there will be an Aussie exit (leave the water and run round a buoy) to start the second loop.

Athletes are required to swim with a swim buoy with a light and their GPS tracker inside.

After the second loop athletes exit up the beach into T1.

Extreme Bike Course - 183km - 3000m elevation

From Skaha Lake to Apex Mountain Resort, this is a ride through the contrasts of the Okanagan: lakeside roads, vineyards, orchards and sustained mountain climbs.

The course follows the east side of Skaha Lake before climbing McLean Creek Road and descending into Okanagan Falls. After crossing the highway, athletes tackle “The Wall” towards See Ya Later Ranch, then continue into the countryside around Willowbrook.

The out-and-back climb to Twin Lakes comes approximately 30–60 km into the ride. From there, the route continues through wine country towards Osoyoos, over Richter Pass and on to Keremeos.

The climbing builds as athletes head towards Twin Lakes from the other direction, followed by Green Mountain Road and the demanding ascent to Apex. Reaching the top is not quite the end: a descent into the resort and a final rise bring you to T2.

With approximately 3,000 m of climbing across 183 km, pacing matters. Save something for the mountain.

This is an open-road course. Traffic laws apply throughout, and athletes must know the route. Your support crew provides nutrition, hydration and equipment and must follow the access restrictions in the race manual.

The bike course can be found here.

The race directors may need to change the course but any changes will be clearly communicated.

Extreme Run Course - 43 km - 1650m elevation

The bike gets you to the mountains. The run takes you into them.

Starting at Apex Mountain Resort, the 43 km course combines steep climbs, forest trails and exposed alpine ridgelines, with approximately 1,650 m of elevation gain.

Athletes climb Beaconsfield and Apex mountains before traversing the Apex summit ridge, where the views reward the effort. The descents demand attention too: changing surfaces and tired legs make this a mountain run from start to finish.

The route continues through the Nickel Plate Park and Nordic Ski area before returning to Apex Mountain Resort. For many athletes, the final kilometres will be covered by headlamp.

Carry your own nutrition, hydration and mandatory safety equipment. Self-serve water is available at approximately 9 km and 20 km. Support crews can meet athletes at approximately 24 km and at several accessible locations later in the course.

A support runner is optional. Full equipment requirements, support rules, cut-offs and alternative-finish arrangements are detailed in the race manual.

The Extreme & Relay run route can be found here.

The race directors may need to change the course but any changes will be clearly communicated.

3500 Swim Course - 1.9km - 1 loop

A one-loop, 1.9 km swim starting at 5:30 am, before dawn, from Skaha Beach.

Athletes are required to swim with a swim buoy with a light inside and their GPS tracker inside.

After completing one loop athletes exit up the beach into T1.

3500 Bike Course - 83km - 2150m elevation

An 83 km ride with approximately 2,150 m of climbing. The distance is shorter; the mountain still has to be climbed.

Starting beside Skaha Lake, athletes follow the lakeside road before climbing McLean Creek Road and descending into Okanagan Falls. Across the highway, “The Wall” towards See Ya Later Ranch gives an early indication of what lies ahead.

The route continues through vineyard country to Willowbrook, then turns towards the punchy climbs of Fairview White Lake Road and White Lake Road.

A brief highway descent leads to Green Mountain Road, followed by the steep ascent of Apex Road. Once the sustained climbing begins, there is little respite. Pace the early kilometres carefully—you will need your legs for the final approach to the resort and T2.

This is an open-road course. Athletes must obey traffic laws and know the route.

Your support crew provides nutrition, hydration and equipment. Crews must bypass the restricted section using the diversion via St Andrews on the Lake and Highway 3A, rejoining where White Lake Road meets the highway. Follow the detailed instructions and map in the race manual.

The bike course can be found here.

The race directors may need to change the course but any changes will be clearly communicated.

3500 Run Course - 25km - 1350m elevation

Two mountain summits. Twenty-five kilometres of wild trails. Approximately 1,350 m of climbing.

From Apex Mountain Resort, the course takes athletes onto the trails of Beaconsfield and Apex mountains. Steep ascents lead to summit views and the Apex ridgeline, followed by demanding descents through varied mountain terrain.

The route then heads towards the Nickel Plate Nordic area before returning to Apex Mountain Resort and the finish.

Combined with the bike, this run brings the Ogopogo 3500 to approximately 3,500 m of total climbing. Every part of the course asks something of you—and the mountains provide plenty in return.

Athletes must carry their own nutrition, hydration and mandatory safety equipment. Self-serve water is available at approximately 9 km and 20 km, with support-vehicle access at approximately 24 km.

A support runner is optional. Read the race manual for equipment requirements, permitted support points and cut-off rules.

The run course can be found here.

The race directors may need to change the course but any changes will be clearly communicated.