Personal Peak MTU™ Showdown

Trail runner? Road runner? Hiker? Maybe all of the above? In the Personal Peak MTU™ Showdown, it just doesn’t matter! 

During this 6 month virtual footrace you will complete one of three virtual routes following the scenic spine of Canada’s Rocky Mountains. Part distance challenge, part elevation challenge, 100% fun!

Compare your performance with anyone in the pack courtesy of Mountain Training Units, or MTUs™, which combine both horizontal distance and vertical elevation gain into one simple unit of measurement that you can use to calculate the relative effort of dramatically different runs. All three routes involve the same number of MTUs™ to complete – it’s just a matter of who finishes 1600 MTUs™ first. 

Not a runner? Not a problem! You can complete this challenge without running a single step! Simply track your daily activity. To complete the challenge within the 6-months you will need to average just over 8 MTUs™ per day.  How far is that? Well, the common step goal of 10,000 steps works out to roughly 8 MTUs™. 

For 2022, we are also introducing a new Half Showdown option, complete 800 MTU’s in the 6 month timeline, and you will also be recognized as completing a half showdown!

No matter how you compete, along the way, you will pass by 26 (or 13) unique waypoints, and meet our tour guides, as we bring your virtual race course to life.

Best of all, it’s FREE! We will see you on the virtual start line, January 1, 2022!

ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

The Race

Each day, use your GPS watch, smartphone or fitness tracking device to track and record: 

  • The distance you travel
  • The elevation you gain

This can come from any type of foot travel (walking, running, or even  your daily steps from a fitness tracker). Our race system will automatically calculate and track your MTUs™.

Registration Fee

$0

It’s free!

About MTUs™

The key to the MTU™ Showdown is how we calculate your effort. Personal Peak created “Mountain Training Units” or MTU™s to combine both horizontal distance and elevation gain into one simple unit of measurement that you can use to calculate the relative effort of dramatically different runs.

All you have to do is enter your daily distance and elevation. Our race system will calculate and post your results in Mountain Training Units.

Learn more about MTU™s here.
Try out the MTU™ Calculator here

Important Dates

Registration Opens: December 6, 2021

Race Start: January 1, 2022

Race Finish: June 30, 2022

What Counts?

Any type of foot travel is eligible to be tracked!

  • Running
  • Walking
  • Daily activity – from a fitness tracker or smart phone

What doesn’t count?

  • Skiing
  • Cycling

Prizes

To keep this race free for anyone to participate, there will not be a race package. However, we know that for some, the race swag is a fun way to remember your accomplishments. So, in lieu of mandatory race packages, all MTU™ Showdown merchandise will be available for purchase for those who are interested.

Check it out Here

The Three MTU™ Showdown Routes

If you are a trail runner, or spend a lot of your training time going up and down steep hills, you’ll probably be on the Great Divide Trail. This trail runs along the spine of the iconic Canadian Rocky mountains and takes you through some pretty wild places. 

If your training is somewhere in the middle between hilly and flat, you’ll be on our scenic route that travels to well known places like the Icefield parkway and through areas like Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise. You’ll also have the opportunity to step off the road and enjoy a selection of BC and Alberta’s best day hikes.

If your training is relatively flat, you’ll be on the prairie route. Passing by grain elevators, windmills, and cool locations like Dinosaur Provincial Park in Drumheller. You’ll also pass by Personal Peak Headquarters in Calgary AB.

→ 1124 km = 1124 MTU™

↑ 47,600 m = 476 MTU™

=

1600 MTU™

→ 1410 km = 1410 MTU™

↑ 19,000 m = 190 MTU™

=

1600 MTU™

→ 1531 km = 1531 MTU™

↑ 6,900 m = 69 MTU™

=

1600 MTU™

Best of all, registration is completely free!

Register for FREE!

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the race Start and Finish?

Race Start: January 1, 2022

Race Finish: June 30, 2022

How do I pick my course?

You pick your course by the runs you do on a daily basis!

If you are in the top third of racers getting the most of your MTU™s from Elevation you will be on the GDT Route

Middle third? You will be on the Scenic Route

Lowest third? You will be on the Prairie Route

Why is one course longer than the other?

Although each route is a different number of kilometers, all three routes involve the same number of MTUs™ to complete – the winner is just a matter of who finishes 1600 MTUs™ first.

Learn more here

What are MTU™s?

“Mountain Training Units” or MTU™s combine horizontal distance and elevation gain in order to calculate the relative effort of dramatically different runs.

Learn more here

What are Tour Guides?

Tour guides will help to bring the virtual race experience to life! Along the way, our Tour Guides will take you on video tours through some of Alberta’s more scenic communities and countryside.

Learn more here

Can I count Skiing, Cycling, or other Crosstraining?

Although they do involve effort, you can’t include these in your daily MTU™ totals

Because these activities involve greater efficiency (sliding, gliding or coasting) than foot travel, these activities are not eligible to be tracked in your daily MTU™ totals

MTU Showdown Shirts