A new ending for the Around The Bay Race
Finish line moves from FirstOntario Centre to Tim Hortons Field in 2024
To figure out how the Around The Bay Race is about to change, we have to begin at the end.
Because that’s all we really know for sure at this point. The end. In 2024, it’ll be on the turf at Tim Hortons Field instead of centre ice at FirstOntario Centre.
The rest of the course? “We’re going to probably work backwards and have the finish here and then work backwards and try to use as much of the route that is what it is now,” race director Anna Lewis says.
The changes — whatever they turn out to be — are necessary due to the renovation to the downtown arena, which means the traditional finish line inside the building will be unavailable. The goal is to tinker with the route as little as possible.
Yes, it will still go around the bay as its name requires. But some adjustments will be necessary.
The biggest? Rather than starting at the corner of York Boulevard and Bay Street North and finishing indoors as has been done since 2006, the race will almost certainly begin somewhere outside Tim Hortons Field and finish at midfield. Beyond that, how exactly it gets from point A to point B is a work in progress. Lewis says she has a number of maps in the works.
“We’ve looked at a number of routes, but it depends on the city,” Lewis says. “What are better routes to use in terms of road closures?”
There’s a good chance the course will look a lot like it did until 2015 or 2016 when it ran along Cannon Street all the way to Woodward Avenue rather than the newer route that saw it head up James Street to Burlington Street and then continue east toward the bay. Though there are some challenges to deal with, including avoiding the railway tracks at Gage Avenue, if possible.
There are other challenges, too. The fact that many of the hotels out-of-town racers reserve are in the core, for one. Shuttles may have to be used to get them to the course.
But even if the route ultimately ends up looking similar to what’s been run in the past, there will be changes. Psychological differences for runners who’ve grown used to certain landmarks signifying certain milestones along the way.
For regulars, the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge has felt like the halfway mark. It won’t be that anymore. Relay exchange zones will be in different spots.
And most notably, the impact of Heartbreak Hill will change considerably.
For years, the steep climb out of Valley Inn Road has been a gruelling experience that led to an emotional reward when runners reached the top. Your legs were burning but you were almost there. Four more flat kilometres and you were home.
Now?
With the new setup, it could be more like six or seven kilometres to the finish. Does that make the hill easier because the legs are a little fresher or does it make it harder because of the discouraging reality of what’s left?
“That’s to be determined,” Lewis says with a smile.
However, that’s for next year. There is this year’s event to be run first.
Lewis says the 30-kilometre race is 95 per cent sold out, the relays are completely sold out and the 5K is at 70 per cent. In total, 6,500 runners will fill the streets on March 26. Plus, the health expo — that was absent last year — will be back on the FirstOntario Centre concourse.
Oh, and maintenance and upgrades to the lift bridge should be done. Which is rather important.
“I have good intel that they will finish on time and that we will have no impact on the race,” Lewis says. “They’re scheduled to be completed by March 20. Our race is March 26. They feel they’re very confident they will have the race over the lift bridge.”
So, next month’s event will be normal. The following year, the new setup arrives. And after that?
Of all the big questions looming for Lewis, this one might be the biggest.
“I feel that the FirstOntario Centre renovation schedule is a little bit unpredictable at the moment,” she says. “So I think it’s to be determined whether the finish line stays here for one year or two years. Or more.”
‘‘ We’re going to probably work backwards and have the finish here and then work backwards and try to use as much of the route that is what it is now.
ANNA LEWIS AROUND THE BAY RACE DIRECTOR