AROUND T HE BAY ROAD RACE

Who wouldn’t want to own a medal from the oldest road race in North America? First run in 1894, this 30k Hamilton race predates the Boston Marathon by three years. “Receiving an Around the Bay Road Race medal means runners have trained all winter, completed a gruelling 30k course over rolling hills, climbed the daunting Valley Inn Road, and often in bitter weather conditions,” says race director Anna Lewis. “I think for runners, the Bay Race medal, which features the race emblem surrounded by a crown of maple leaves, is a symbol that they’ve conquered a time-honoured and historic Canadian race.” And to motivate runners further, the medals come in gold, silver or bronze, depending on your finishing time.