Overview
The Edmonton Road and Track Club, working with Nick Croken, and Nina Karpoff, is proud to present to you the 8th running of the Croken Classic. This year, it is being held on September 26, 2026.
We are happy to announce that the Croken Classic is brought to you by the following sponsors:
Good Goods Co, Blindman Brewing, Trek Bicycles, United Sport & Cycle and Hardcore Bikes (10008 82 Ave NW) and Arbys
Provincial Championships
For 2026, The Croken Classic Gravel Race is Cycling Alberta’s Gravel Provincial Championships.
2 titles will be on offer: Open Men, and Open Women, with the top 3 in each category being recognized with a medal. You must hold a racing license to be eligible for the title and the medal.
Otherwise, the results will be sortable by age group, however, as usual we will not be otherwise be awarding podium prizing.
Safety and Support
This event is being run as an adventure ride - there will be no aid stations for you to refuel at. For the 103km distance, there is a stop in Winfield where you may purchase snacks and hydration from the corner store. We will have 1 medic stationed in Yeoford. This medic will have available water for emergencies only.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
There will be a sweep vehicle, however it may be some time before it reaches the scene of an incident. You have no obligation to perform first aid (but may if you are qualified and comfortable). As such, we ask that you, the rider, are part of our emergency response plan, and carry a cellphone with you. If you come across a rider who is unable to continue due to injury,:
Your first call should be Salina (780-271-6009), our emergency response coordinator. She will help you figure out where you are, and if paramedical response is needed.
If she does not pick up, try one of the following numbers in this order:
Dale Heinrich (Paramedic) 780-728-2490
Nick Croken (Organizer) - 780-982-2851
Nina - (Organizer) 780-906-2129
Albert Nguyen (Organizer) - 780-224-1180
Mark Rumsey (Sweep) - 780-993-7916
If you do not have cell service at your exact location, stay with the injured, and wait for the next rider to come by. Give that rider instructions to ride until they have signal and they will start the communication chain previously mentioned. If you are near the back of the race, there will be a sweep.
If you experience a major mechanical and cannot continue, call Salina, or one of the organizers. If you have no signal, either walk to where there is, or have another rider continue riding and call for you. No guarantees on how long the retrieval will take, as we will be prioritizing medical emergencies. We don’t recommend hitchhiking.
RIDER CONDUCT
While not an officiated event, we expect riders to abide by the policy “don’t be a dick”.
Organizers
Albert Nguyen - Logistics, Finances, and Permitting
Nick Croken - Marketing, Sponsors, Vibes
Nina Karpoff - Hosting and Support
Registration
Sign Up Here
Wondering if your friends signed up without you? Look here: https://zone4.ca/register/VDvmvQ/report/VRO6Jy/
TRANSFERS
Transfers are allowed, however you must do the legwork and obtain the contact info of whoever you are transferring to, and figure out payment. Once you have done that, email me using the “Contact” link at the top right with their information. You will be removed from the registration list immediately once I receive the email.
location and route
LOCATION
Rundle’s Mission, https://maps.app.goo.gl/FjyCGFMhdyqsj7aQ6
PARKING
Rundle’s Mission, is the staging site for this gravel race. Parking is limited, so it is recommended you carpool. There is some street parking available too, but don’t be surprised if you are parking a bit far. Check out the map below to see where you can park. Please check this space for parking updates closer to the event dates as we hammer it out!
ROUTE AND DISTANCES
2 options available, the Classic - 101km and the Cordial - 63km. GPX and FIT files below. New for 2023, we will be marking the corners, however it is still it is highly suggested that you make yourself a cue sheet or download the files and load them on your navigation / tracking device. Fortunately for you, if you are truly lost, there is decent cell coverage over most of the course, and you can call for a ride. No guarantees on when it will come - we will be prioritizing medical emergencies and mechanicals. We don’t recommend hitchhiking.
The start/finish line will be to the west of the hall, with a neutral rollout of the community.
Classic GPX
Cordial GPX
In case you want to review your route, here are the direct links:
information
Schedule of Events
9:00 am - Registration / Sign-on Opens / Chip Pickup - show up too early? Not only will we not sign you on, you will be asked to help set-up!
9:30 am - Draw Prizing and Sponsor Shoutouts - If you aren’t here, you forfeit your prizing!
10:20 am - Sign-on Closes
10:30 am - All Distances Start - Seed yourself accordingly with serious riders at the front, and party paced folks at the back!
1:00 pm - First riders expected at finish - BBQ Starts, Beer Gardens Open
4:00 pm - 90% of riders expected to be finished.
6:30 pm - Course closed - all remaining riders to be retrieved via sag wagon. Not finished? Want to? Call us and tell us you aren’t going to take the sag.
Chip Timing
This race will be chip timed, giving more complete timing information. Please pick up your chip at sign-on and attach it to your handlebars. Return the chips to the timing tent or at the community hall. Failure to return your timing chip will result in a $75 fine.
Equipment
You can use any bicycle and any style handlebar as long as they are not aerobars (tri bars).
FIRST AID & EMERGENCY SERVICES
A paramedic will be on course to assist in injuries.
The nearest hospital is the Wetaskiwin Hospital & Care Centre 6910 47 St, Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 3N3
END OF RIDE
After the ride there will be a Hamburger BBQ with all the usual fixin’s, with vegetarian options. Hang out, if it’s crappy out, we have full usage of the inside of the hall. You may clean up and dry off inside. We ask that you not wear your cycling shoes inside to save us from damaging the floor or having too much cleaning afterwards.
BEER GARDENS
Sponsored by Blindman Brewing, we will have beer gardens - $5 for a beer. Please drink responsibly.
PRIZING
There will be no podium prizing, or podium ceremony. Your prize is your chip time, the knowledge that you participated in one of Alberta’s toughest events, and the memories you made.
SPONSORS
A big thank you goes out to our sponsors
Blindman Brewing is a Lacombe based brewery who has been a long time supporter of all things ERTC. Not only are they helping us out with the beer for the beer garden but they are also providing non-alcoholic hop water for those who steer clear of the beer. https://www.blindmanbrewing.com/
Flexion Bike Fit is an Edmonton based bike fit studio. Cody understands the mechanics of how our bodies work with our bikes beyond just comfort. If you’re looking to maximize your perfomance through bike fit, Cody is your guy. If you’re lucky, you’ll be the winner of the bike fit that he is donating to the draw prizes. www.flexionbikefit.com
Arbys. Another company that needs no introduction. Rob Louie, owner of the Millwoods and Sherwood Park Arbys, will generously be supplying us with the post-race food.
Hardcore Bikes is one of the staples of the Edmonton riding scene. Their shop offers everything you need to have a great time on your bike. Whether you need a new bike of any discipline or some service to breathe new life into your current bike, they are a must-visit. Not only are they supplying door prizes, they’ll also be the sag wagon, collecting any riders at the end of the day that may have found their limit on the course.www.hardcorebikes.ca
United Sport is one of Edmonton’s longest-running family-owned bike shops. Two of their bike experts will not only be there with door prizes but they’ll also be racing themselves. Look out for Jesse and Mia, both who are doing the Classic distance. www.unitedsport.ca
Trek needs no introduction. While they may be one of the largest bike brands in the world, they still love supporting local events like ours. Clint, the regional rep, is not only supplying door prizes and racing the event, but he’ll also be on site afterwards to answer any questions you may have about any of the latest bikes they’ve released recently. https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en_CA/
Cup and Handle, an artisan coffee shop run by Mike, out of the frunk of his cyber truck will on be onsite bright and early. He’ll be serving up delicious brews of craft coffee, by donation. Pay what you can the morning of the event.
Get Lost Outfitters is the latest bike shop to open in Edmonton. Like the others, they’ll be adding to our large repertoire of door prizes! https://getlostoutfitters.ca/