holymoly
Mar 30, 2009, 3:37 PM
Around the Bay (http://www.aroundthebayroadrace.com/) is one of Hamilton's amazing jewels! It isn't just for hard-core runners. It's also for families, walkers, students, etc.
It's well-known and well respected in the running world -- competitors come from far away to race the full 30km event. But there's also a 5km event that starts 15 minutes after the 30k starts, and runs (roughly) north on John, up to the water, and down Bay. The 5km event is truly impressive for the number of students and young kids out running, and the walkers, and the newer runners who are pushing themselves to complete the distance. Lots of camaraderie on that course.
I've done the full 30k once (it rocks) and my husband has done it twice, but our main family tradition is to do the 5k with our kids. They're 15 and 13 and have done the ATB 5k five times. In the last 3, one of their friends has joined them.
I'd love to encourage everyone who's even mildly curious or somewhat active to come out for the 5k next year -- especially anyone who wants to get their kids involved in a really exciting Hamilton event that will earn them a finisher's medal, a t-shirt, and bragging rights. (Maybe even a plaque -- our first year, only three age 9-and-under boys participated, so my son placed third in his category.) You can walk it, or run, or do a mixture. (I can't run 5k without walk breaks.)
The 5k is a cool, different way to experience downtown Hamilton. As we ran, I was like "Hey, I went to that bakery yesterday ... Lots of action in Beasley Park today! ... There's that house I tried to buy." ... etc, noticing things in a way I don't usually do.
It's well-known and well respected in the running world -- competitors come from far away to race the full 30km event. But there's also a 5km event that starts 15 minutes after the 30k starts, and runs (roughly) north on John, up to the water, and down Bay. The 5km event is truly impressive for the number of students and young kids out running, and the walkers, and the newer runners who are pushing themselves to complete the distance. Lots of camaraderie on that course.
I've done the full 30k once (it rocks) and my husband has done it twice, but our main family tradition is to do the 5k with our kids. They're 15 and 13 and have done the ATB 5k five times. In the last 3, one of their friends has joined them.
I'd love to encourage everyone who's even mildly curious or somewhat active to come out for the 5k next year -- especially anyone who wants to get their kids involved in a really exciting Hamilton event that will earn them a finisher's medal, a t-shirt, and bragging rights. (Maybe even a plaque -- our first year, only three age 9-and-under boys participated, so my son placed third in his category.) You can walk it, or run, or do a mixture. (I can't run 5k without walk breaks.)
The 5k is a cool, different way to experience downtown Hamilton. As we ran, I was like "Hey, I went to that bakery yesterday ... Lots of action in Beasley Park today! ... There's that house I tried to buy." ... etc, noticing things in a way I don't usually do.
