Categories: Things To Do

A 5 km run with foam, mud pits and waterslides is coming to a town near Calgary

Photo via areporter/Shutterstock

The Electrolit 5K Foam Fest is coming to a town just outside of Calgary, and this is not your average run. This year, the run will take place in Cochrane, Alta. Participants will have the opportunity to tackle more than 25 obstacles spread across a messy, foam-filled course that includes mud pits, the world’s largest inflatable waterslide, and plenty of chances to slip, slide, and get soaked along the way.

The 5 km Foam Fest is returning to the province for one weekend only, giving you a chance to experience this chaos for yourself this June.

Let’s jump into what you can expect at the event.

Foam, mud, and waterslide madness

What makes the Foam Fest stand out is the sheer scale of it all. With over 2.5 million cubic feet of foam pumped out across the course, there is basically no chance of staying dry.

According to Electrolit, it all begins with the Electrolit Foamy Start, then participants are sent straight into hurdles, foam chambers, and multiple slip-and-slides along the way. You’ll also push through spider web forests, log rolls, splash zones, and slide down the world’s largest inflatable waterslide. From there, the course builds with challenges such as the Tire Run, Foam Zone, Lily Pads, and the Cargo Climb.

Once the run wraps up, the Festival Zone is where everyone gathers to dry off and hang out. There are food vendors, music, and a beer garden, plus a kids’ zone for the little ones. Every participant also gets a finisher medal, so you can actually feel like you’ve accomplished something after surviving the course.

What to know before you go

The 5 km Foam Fest will take place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Cochrane and District Agricultural Society. Participants are required to purchase tickets online in advance, while spectators are free to attend and cheer runners on throughout the course.

To stay prepared, it’s recommended to bring a piece of photo identification, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and cash for on-site purchase, and most importantly, a good attitude – because you will get wet!

The event is in partnership with Make-A-Wish Canada, which helps grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. All funds raised through participant fundraising and the on-site Make-A-Wish gear tent go towards supporting those wishes and making a meaningful impact for families across the country.

So if you’re looking for an event that’s way more fun than serious, this is it. A full day of foam, mud and obstacle chaos turns a regular 5 km run into something you’ll probably end up laughing your way through more than anything else. So, grab your friends, pick an outfit you don’t mind ruining and get ready for a very messy day!