Meet our All Male Teams
We've got a very strong field of all male teams for WT 2026 including veteran racers, combined veteran-rookie teams and junior teams (teams with at least one person under 18 years of age).
3 – Beowulf
From: Collingwood, Ontario
Profile: Beowulf brings more than 70 years of combined adventure-racing experience to the start line. Jamie navigates while apparently losing things, Eddie stays happy even when he isn’t, and Tom is the person everyone attaches the tow rope to. They’re competitive but realistic, with an eye on placing while recognizing that age is slowly catching up. The real goal is to finish with everyone happy. Trekking is the favourite; paddling is not. Their secret weapon is the ability to forget just how hard the race is going to be—which may be exactly what keeps experienced racers coming back.
23 – Iron Moose
From: Sudbury, Ontario
Profile: Sudbury is the training ground for IRON MOOSE, a four-person team that will discover just how well its preparation translates to race day. Greg Seguin leads the team as captain and navigator, Trevor Gilchrist is the workhorse and organizer, James Masters brings prologue speed and morale, and Ben Tastula provides another workhorse—and plenty of sense-talking. They’re aiming to complete the full-length (Expedition) course and are ready for whatever combination of disciplines the race delivers. There’s one unusual wrinkle: this will be the first time the four teammates meet in person. If the Sudbury training has done its job, they’ll find their stride together in the backcountry.
32 – Wanderlost
From: Kingston, Ontario
Profile: A Kingston-based team, Wanderlost has one big target: put in the work, finish the Expedition Course, and do it in under 24 hours. No pressure, right? Graeme is the bike sherpa and pack carrier, Ian organizes and keeps morale high, Jesse leads navigation, and Steve captains while serving as the token old guy and resident over-thinker. They’re a limited-experience team, but they’ve been training hard and are counting on a slightly lighter canoe as their secret weapon. Everyone has a different favourite discipline, which seems fitting for a race built around constant transitions. Away from WT, they all met—and still play—beer league hockey together.
43 – Adventurists
From: Ontario
Profile: The Adventurists are treating Wilderness Traverse like a vacation—but one involving bikes, paddles, navigation and 24-hour endurance. Andrei Neagoie is captain and navigator and became a first-time dad just one month before the race (which means he’s used to no sleep, right?!?). Daryl Marritt is the high-energy morale booster and father of five, soon to be six (again, this team seems to be heavy into the ‘no sleep’ training regimen), while Andrew Buckley is the workhorse and father of five (see…my point is made). Their goal is to finish the Explorer Course together. The team’s real secret weapon is waiting at home: their super wives, who are looking after all the kids while the team eats candy and galivants through the woods. It’s their first race together, though Andrei and Daryl met at Bob’s adventure-racing camp, so have a good feeling that they’ll work well as a team.
27 – Rally AR
From: Brantford, Ontario
Profile: Rally AR has already completed the Wilderness Traverse Explorer course twice. Now they’re coming back for the Expedition Course—their self-described “holy grail.” Donks captains and navigates, Josh calmly gets things done, Smid keeps it real, and Ben organizes and manages the operation. Their secret weapon is saying sorry (HQ – we’re wondering if it’s ‘sorry I signed us up for this’, or ‘sorry, but get your butt moving type energy). As for favourite terrain, it’s nice, dry double-track biking. Wet, uneven hydro paths? Much less appealing. This is ‘go’ number four at WT, so they come in knowing what to do. There’s also a strong family-and-friends connection: the team went to high school together, Josh and Ben are brothers-in-law, and several wives are volunteering again (thanks volunteers!).
25 – Made in Poland
From: Aurora, Ontario
Profile: Part of the Wilderness Traverse family since 2016, Made in Poland’s experience is central to their approach. Andrew captains, Pawel navigates, Mariusz motivates, and Filip keeps morale high. Their goal is straightforward: complete the full (Expedition) course, enjoy the outdoors, and have a memorable day (and night) in Muskoka’s beautiful wilderness. They’re counting on their biking fitness to help them move efficiently through those sections, while admitting that nighttime trekking may be a challenge. Above all, this group of Polish friends is here to have fun—and make it home in one piece.
47 – Pittance of Thyme
From: Toronto, Ontario
Profile: PITTANCE OF THYME is a Toronto trio with a simple mission: finish the full course and have fun doing it. Jonah is the Jester, Evan is the President, and Gabe is the Breaker of Walls (does this sound like a LitRPG or fantasy novel to anyone else?!?). Their secret weapon is moving with purpose rather than urgency—a useful philosophy for a 24-hour race. They’re still building their adventure-racing experience, but they have a strong foundation from years of canoe trips together at Camp Arowhon. Paddle/portage is their favourite discipline, and their least favourite is apparently losing—which, conveniently, isn’t really a discipline. They’re here to put their camp skills to work.
45 – Capsized Cardio Club
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Profile: Capsized Cardio Club is an Ottawa trio with a clear objective: finish the full course. Paul Newcombe is “the brains,” Chris Shaw is “the brawn,” and Rodney Newcombe is the man with the unshakable confidence of someone who definitely didn’t read the race description. Paul is making his third WT attempt after narrowly missing the finish in 2022 and leaving the 2025 race with an injury. This year he has recruited his brother and cousin for their first adventure race. Their favourite discipline is talking about doing the race, and anything after 1 a.m. is firmly off the favourites list.
50 – Raving Mad
From: Eastern Ontario
Profile: Back for another Wilderness Traverse, Raving Mad is still chasing the full (Expedition) course—this time with a Junior member along for the ride. Don is the captain, navigator and dad; Tanner is the junior member competing in his second WT; and Joel handles navigation, muscle and the team’s claim to the 2026 Best Mustache (we’re not sure if this is a category, but perhaps it should be? We need photos). Their secret weapon is years of bottled-up rage (we don’t advise shaking this particular bottle before opening), while their preferred discipline is the highly technical post-race pint (cold and delicious, we approve). Night paddling, naturally, is another story. After earning the Junior Championship last time out, they’re returning with unfinished business and plenty of experience.
42 – 180º North
From: Val-David and Montreal, Québec
Profile: 180º North is a three-man team from Val-David and Montréal taking on Wilderness Traverse primarily to discover what the Traverse—and they as a team—are capable of. Tristan is a doctor and navigator, Tyson supplies elite VO2 and energy, and Michael is the night wizard (again with the fantasy literature vibes happening in role descriptions… I’m here for it) and morale booster. They’re racing together for the first time, bringing very different sports and backgrounds to the same course. Trekking is a quiet favourite, while the prospect of 65 km of biking at the end has raised some eyebrows. Their secret weapon is ramen—lots of ramen. And there’s a particularly impressive résumé hidden in the group: one teammate is a former world champion in short-track speed skating.
22 – Feisty Frogs
From: Québec
Profile: Feisty Frogs is a family affair: a father, his two sons and a nephew coming together from Québec for their first big adventure. Guillaume is the newcomer taking on his first adventure race, Alexis is the workhorse, Gabriel is the entertainer, and Antoine is the veteran navigator. Their goal is to finish the full (Expedition) course, with family ties serving as the team’s secret weapon. They’re happiest in transition areas and when eating, but there’s one section nobody is looking forward to: the final hour of the race. Expect teamwork, family banter and a lot of stories when the Frogs emerge from the woods (ribbit ribbit, but no croaking - right?!?).
24 – Kinetic Spirit
From: Ontario
Profile: Kinetic spirit is an experienced Ontario team that has embraced the art of not taking itself too seriously. They describe themselves as a collection of jack-of-all—or perhaps no—trades, with a goal of being the first team in the fifth peloton. Their secret weapon is carb-loading for days, their favourite discipline is carb-loading after the race, and their least favourite is the team shower afterward (do they know they can shower separately?). Their self-assessment is wonderfully honest: they’re old, so they compensate by being really slow. Whatever the pace, this team clearly knows how to keep the humour alive.
44 – Bigorneaux
From: Québec City, Québec
Profile: Bigorneaux is a three-man team from Québec City making its way to Wilderness Traverse with a straightforward set of goals: finish the race, experience a night bushwalk, build endurance and strengthen the team. Olivier navigates, Mathias T. keeps morale high, and Mathias B. is the workhorse. They’re newcomers to adventure racing, but they already know which discipline they’re looking forward to most: paddle/portage. Biking is less exciting. Their official ranking goal is wonderfully open-ended—somewhere between first and last—and they’ll have at least one dedicated supporter on site in Stephanie.
21 – Bent Rim
From: Central Ontario
Profile: This quartet is taking on the Expedition Course with rookie enthusiasm and a willingness to embrace type-2 fun (it really is great stuff). Kevin Stringer captains, Riley Stringer navigates, Michael Smit is the workhorse, and Landen Kruger keeps morale high. Their secret weapon is, in their words, ignorance and naivety—a useful mindset when you don’t yet know exactly how hard 24 hours can be (rose coloured glasses are my favourite kind too, my friends). They’re looking forward to the prologue and paddling, while swimming and mountain biking rank lower. There will also be a familiar supporter at the race: Nancy Stringer, Kevin’s wife and Riley’s mom.
28 – Sunshine and Rainbows
From: Cambridge, Ontario
Profile: Sunshine and Rainbows is hoping this is the year they finally crack the Expedition Course. Colin Winter lifts heavy stuff and brings the fun, Anthony Holden does the same while acting as drill sergeant (this is needed ‘fast transition’ energy, for sure), Mike Ryan does a bit of everything and gets the team unlost, and Rob Howe supplies inspirational speeches—plus, occasionally, the wrong direction. They’re experienced racers who know the value of keeping calm while carrying on. Trekking is the favourite, paddling is less popular, and biking may hurt the most even if it doesn’t get the official least-favourite title (it doesn’t seem any received the ‘worstest’ title… so gluttons for punishment perhaps?). There’s also a cheering section at home: lots of kids will be watching the dots move.
46 – Optiv-Mystics
From: Midland, Penetang and Victoria Harbour
Profile: This set of teammates bring three very different strengths to the same mission: Jamie is the detail guy and spreadsheet-loving organizer, Jason is fast, light and relentlessly positive, and Clint loves the grind and feels at home in the bush. They’re experienced enough to know what Wilderness Traverse demands, but their stated goal is refreshingly straightforward: mid-pack and happy (mid-pack is also my personal favourite place to exist). Their secret weapon is pierogies (delicious), and their favourite discipline is… all of them. Their least favourite discipline? Also all of them (reasonable feelings). In other words, they’re just a bunch of normal guys—ready for whatever the course throws at them.
31 – Uphill Both Ways
From: Toronto, Ontario
Profile: Uphill Both Ways is bringing experience, stubbornness and a healthy respect for the demands of a 24-hour race. Matt Reynolds leads navigation, Shane Stapleton handles CP punching and backup navigation, Dave Brydson captains, and Steve Stanisic organizes and carries the pack-mule duties. They’re targeting the top third and the full course, with one non-negotiable: no injuries, because everyone has day jobs to return to. Their favourite discipline is trekking, especially bushwhacking; nighttime paddling is another story. After the race, they invite everyone to join their campsite campfire—where conversation and exhaustion will eventually collide.
48 – Probably Lost
From: Waterdown/Dundas/Rockwood, Ontario
Profile: This three-man team from Waterdown, Dundas and Rockwood that may have chosen its name for a reason. Tom Moose is captain, navigator and in charge of ‘vibes’; Mike Moose is the workhorse; and Scott handles organization and navigation. Their goal is simple: finish—and don’t lose the moose. Their secret weapon is incomprehensible confidence (again, rose coloured glasses for the win!), while trekking is their favourite discipline. The least favourite? “The hard one.” Ask them after which it was this year. The team admits they were sold on this adventure after about 100 beers. Now they’re here to find out whether it was actually a good idea.
30 – The Fellowship
From: Grimsby to Muskoka and a couple stops in between (Southern Ontario)
Profile: The Fellowship (shadows of classic fantasy literature here?) is a Southern Ontario team with a long-standing friendship and a new commitment to finally taking on Wilderness Traverse. Jamie captains, Dan is the medic-mule (again feeling like a D&D character sheet), Shawn handles navigation, and Sean keeps time and morale high. They’re aiming to complete the full (Expedition) course within the 30-hour time limit. Trekking is their favourite discipline; paddling is not (fist-bump my friends). Sean, Dan and Jamie have been close friends since high school, and after years of talking about the race, turning 40 and having kids finally pushed them to commit. Now it’s time to giddy-up with their secret weapon to power them through – maple syrup.
26 – Night Walkers
From: Southern Ontario
Profile: This team is gunning to complete the Expedition Course with a blend of returning experience and fresh faces. The Night Walkers is made of up Lloyd Vermeer who captains and navigates, Ryan Hemeryck the medic and morale booster, Daymond Goold as the workhorse, and Zack Zager taking the role of… we’ll see. Their secret weapon is a set of new paddles, and trekking is the favourite discipline. Paddling is less popular. Two teammates are new to the team this year, while two previously raced together under the memorable name Certain Death. The mission this time is considerably more straightforward: keep moving and make it to the Expedition finish.
49 – Race Day Rush
From: Mississauga and Timmins Ontario, and Rossland, BC
Profile: Race Day Rush is coming in with serious race ambitions and plenty of experience. Adrian handles most of the land navigation while laughing, Brad is happiest on the water and has been portaging canoes since childhood, and Adam is the team’s expert map laminator. They’re targeting the top five and the all-male win while also taking time to appreciate Muskoka’s fall colours—day and night. Fast portaging and adversity management are their secret weapons, with sleep-deprived new dad Brad adding another layer of preparation (sleep deprivation training!). They also enjoy filming their adventures, and one past story involves Adrian reaching a transition area before the gear and borrowing Bob’s shoes to finish the trek (hope there’s no need to other people’s shoes this time!)
29 – Team JJAM
From: Another plane of existence? We’re not sure, but anyone willing to be here might not be completely human, so it’s plausible.
Profile: JJAM is made up of Aubrey Keus, Jon Hand, Matt Wilson, and Jonathon Toews. They didn’t give us info to work with… but we do know that they have a cheering squad following at home and sending trail mail and that one of them might be interested in challenging team Raving Mad for the best mustache prize. Go team go!
51 – The Wetter The Better
From: Another plane of existence? We’re not sure, but anyone willing to be here might not be completely human, so it’s plausible.
Profile: This team of three - Phil Edmunds, Daniel McCrae, Andrew Manser – are at our mercy for creating a fun description since they didn’t give us their own info so we’re going to have a little fun with codes – taking a visual cue from their team photo and applying a little morse code we’re going to go out on a limb and say that their favourite season is summer, but in French été. Enjoy that little easter egg, my friends.
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