Around the Bay Road Race in Hamilton Sees Record-breaking Turnout and Distance in 130th Edition

The 130th edition of the historic Around the Bay Road Race in Hamilton witnessed a record-breaking turnout on Sunday as thousands of runners descended on the city to participate in a range of races including the 5K, 10K, 15K, and the signature 35K event.

The race marked a significant departure from tradition this year, with the start and finish lines shifted to Tim Hortons Field due to ongoing renovations at the FirstOntario Centre. This change led to an extension of the usual 30K route to 35K, presenting a new challenge to participants.

Leading the pack in the men’s division was Phil Parrot-Migas from London, who clocked an impressive time of 1:51:13 to claim victory. He was closely followed by second-place finisher Sergio Rãez Villanueva from Mississauga, and Josh Lumani from Komoka secured the third spot on the podium.

In the women’s category, Olympian Rachel Hannah emerged as the champion with a commanding time of 2:10:57, outpacing her closest competitor Shannen Murray from London by a significant margin. Kathleen Lawrence from Toronto clinched the third spot in the women’s race.

Reflecting on the altered course, Parrot-Migas expressed his joy at conquering the iconic Around the Bay Road Race, hailing it as a major accomplishment. On the women’s side, Hannah highlighted the need to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, crediting her success to a strategic nutrition plan.

The atmosphere was electric as runners navigated the revised route, encountering unexpected hurdles like a sinkhole in Burlington that forced a last-minute extension. Despite the added challenge, participants pushed through, with many celebrating personal victories and memorable experiences.

For runners like Laura Nowak, who completed the race while six months pregnant, the event symbolized determination and triumph. Teams like Chappell Racing also made their mark, adding a layer of camaraderie and team spirit to the competitive race environment.

The 130th Running of the Around the Bay Road Race will be etched in the annals of the event’s history as a testament to resilience, sportsmanship, and community spirit.