Around the Bay Road Race
DateLast Sunday of March
LocationHamilton, Ontario, Canada
Event typeRoad
Distance30K, 5K
Primary sponsorCN
BeneficiarySt. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation
Established1894 (1894)
Course recordsMen (1:32:22) Alene Reta
Women (1:44:40) Lanni Marchant
Official sitebayrace.com
Winner Jim Duffy (1912) on the bridge over Burlington Canal.

The Around the Bay Road Race (ATB) is a long distance road race annually in Hamilton, Ontario. The event currently features a 30 kilometer race, a 5 kilometer race, relay races, and virtual races.[1] First held in 1894, it is the oldest long distance road race in North America.[2]

Since it began, the race has been held every year except for 1917 to 1919 (due to World War I), 1925 to 1935, 1962 (due to construction), and 2020 and 2021 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic).[2][3][4]

History

The Hamilton Herald Newspaper and cigar store owner "Billy" Carroll, originated and sponsored the "Herald Road Race", the first Around the Bay Road Race, run on Christmas Day, 1894. Thirteen racers ran the 19 mile and 168 yard course around Hamilton Harbour. Billy Marshall won the race and was awarded a $25 silver cup and some boxes of cigars.[2][5][6]

In the early 20th century, Jack Caffery and William Sherring battled it out and won two "Bay" races each. Famed Canadian-Onondaga runner Tom Longboat also took the first major victory of his career here, in 1906.[6]

Scotty Rankine won a record seven races in the 1930s and 1940s, while Peter Maher won his fifth Bay race in 1996, tying the record of local Gord Dickson, who had five wins in the late 1950s.[6]

Women were first allowed to enter in 1979.[2]

In 2005, the ATB partnered with St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation and, for the first time, became a fundraising event.[7]

Recent history

2020

In February 2020, race organizers announced that the 30k race route would change to exclude the signature trek up the Valley Inn Road hill after the city of Hamilton closed the road's pedestrian bridge due to safety concerns.[8] This ultimately didn't matter as, on March 13, the race was cancelled due to the rapidly progressing COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

2021

In 2021, the ATB held a virtual race in lieu of the regular in-person event due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to ATB's 5k and 30k race distance, the virtual race included 2k, 10k, and 15k race distances as well as The Hammer challenge that honoured runners who completed all five race distances.[10]

2022

The ATB returned to in-person racing in 2022 following two years of COVID-19 related restrictions. The 30k race featured 3,362 participants and the 5k race 777 participants. The race raised $275,000 for the St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation.[11][12]

Construction work on the Valley Inn Road bridge was completed less than a month before race day, allowing for the road's iconic Heartbreak Hill to be included in the 30k race route.[13][14][15]

2023

The Burlington Canal Lift Bridge, historically the ATB's 15-kilometre mark, was closed on January 5 for major maintenance and scheduled to reopen on March 20, less than a week before race day.[16][17] The bridge did reopen on March 20 as scheduled, allowing the race to proceed.[18]

Race day was March 26 with more than six thousand participants.[19] The men's 5k race had an unusual finish as several leading runners took a wrong turn onto Queen Street, missing out on their chance to win the race.[20]

Race

All races start on York Boulevard, one block west of the FirstOntario Centre. All races finish inside FirstOntario Centre. On Sunday, March 29, 2007, over 9,000 participants crossed the finish line.[21] Due to upcoming major renovations to FirstOntario Centre, race organizers announced that the start and finish for the 2024 race will move to Tim Hortons Field.[22]

The 30 kilometre race is also known as the Billy Sherring Memorial Road Race.[23] It is also called the 30K Around The Bay.

Winners

Key:   Course record

30k

Year Men's winner Time (h:m:s) Women's winner Time (h:m:s) Rf.
2022  Kevin Coffey (CAN) 1:40:10  Victoria Coates (CAN) 1:50:01 [6]
2021  Ahmed Jouar (CAN) 1:50:06  Kathleen Lawrence (CAN) 2:02:48
2020 Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [3]
2019  Daniel Kemoi (KEN) 1:32:57  Mengistu Emebet (ETH) 1:45:56 [6]
2018  Haron Kiptoo Sirma (KEN) 1:35:11  Dayna Pidhoresky (CAN) 1:49:39
2017  Panuel Mkungo (KEN) 1:34:51  Dayna Pidhoresky (CAN) 1:47:27
2016  Paul Kimugal (KEN) 1:35:17  Risper Gesabwa (KEN) 1:47:38
2015  Paul Kimugal (KEN) 1:33:48  Dayna Pidhoresky (CAN) 1:50:47
2014  Paul Kimugal (KEN) 1:35:35  Krista DuChene (CAN) 1:47:14
2013  Terence Attema (CAN) 1:35:45  Lanni Marchant (CAN) 1:44:40
2012  Reid Coolsaet (CAN) 1:33:21  Krista DuChene (CAN) 1:47:04
2011  Derek Nakluski (CAN) 1:37:15  Dayna Pidhoresky (CAN) 1:50:45
2010  Alene Reta (ETH) 1:32:22  Lucy Njeri Muhami (KEN) 1:48:59
2009  Thomas Omwenga (KEN) 1:35:29  Lucy Ngeri (KEN) 1:50:26
2008  Alene Reta (ETH) 1:33:06  Lucy Ngeri (KEN) 1:48:28
2007  Simon Njorge (KEN) 1:32:50  Magdelene Makunzi (KEN) 1:46:51
2006 Nourddine Betchim 1:37:38  Kate MacNamara (CAN) 1:55:10
2005  Joseph Ndritu (KEN) 1:38:46  Kate MacNamara (CAN) 1:58:06
2004 Mustapha Bennacer 1:33:28  Lioudmila Kortchaguina (RUS) 1:46:04
2003 Joseph Nsengiyumva 1:35:02  Lioudmila Kortchaguina (RUS) 1:52:50
2002  Joseph Ndritu (KEN) 1:33:13  Lioudmila Kortchaguina (RUS) 1:46:18
2001  Joseph Ndritu (KEN) 1:36:39  Elizabeth Ruel (CAN) 1:54:20
2000  Joseph Ndritu (KEN) 1:32:53  Veronique Vandersmissen (CAN) 1:52:33
1999 Paul Aufdemberge 1:36:31 May Allison 1:52:37
1998 Sean Wade 1:34:43 Danuta Bartoszek 1:53:52
1997 Paul Mbugua 1:35:35 Katie Dosser 1:56:22
1996 Peter Maher 1:35:41 Cindy New 1:53:42
1995 Mike McGowan 1:36:09 Kim Webb 1:49:17
1994 Sammy Nyangincha 1:32:55 May Allison 1:50:54
1993 Dave O’Keefe 1:38:22 Lizanne Bussieres 1:47:03
1992 Clive Hamilton 1:40:26 Veronique Marot 1:54:42
1991 Peter Maher 1:33:00 Veronique Marot 1:48:52
1990 Peter Maher 1:35:54 Laura Konantz 1:54:16
1989 Peter Maher 1:34:12 Dorothy Goertzen 1:58:53
1988 Paul Waldie 1:39:21 Laura Konantz 1:58:40
1987 Peter Maher 1:34:02 Susan Stone 1:51:37
1986 Bob Slipp 1:39:53 Jennifer Ditchfield 1:55:03
1985 Roger Martindill 1:34:22 Susan Stone 1:53:23
1984 Roger Martindill 1:33:53 Anne-Marie Malone 1:46:29
1983 Mike Dyon 1:34:15 Dorothy Goertzen 1:53:45
1982 Dave Edge 1:34:50 Christine Keaney 2:02:02

The 30 kilometre course was certified in 1982. Prior to then, the race was contested over a few different distances.[2]

5k

Year Men's winner Time (m:s) Women's winner Time (m:s) Rf.
2019  Alex Drover (CAN) 15:10  Gladys Tarus (CAN) 17:38 [24]
2018  Ross Proudfoot (CAN) 14:37  Gladys Tarus (CAN) 17:47
2017  Ross Proudfoot (CAN) 14:44  Kate Van Buskirk (CAN) 16:14
2016  Joshua Bolton (CAN) 15:04  Victoria Coates (CAN) 17:08
2015  Alex Genest (CAN) 14:35.2  Genevieve Lalonde (CAN) 16:25.9
2014  Peter Corrigan (CAN) 14:29.5  Kate Van Buskirk (CAN) 16:18.7
2013  Peter Corrigan (CAN) 14:41.5  Chantelle Groenewoud (CAN) 17:02.9
2012  Alexander Hinton (CAN) 14:50.4  Chantelle Groenewoud (CAN) 16:45.0
2011  Taylor Milne (CAN) 14:26.4  Lydia Willemse (CAN) 16:58.6
2010  Taylor Milne (CAN) 14:10.9  Megan Brown (CAN) 16:46.1
2009  Rob Watson (CAN) 14:16.6  Lanni Marchant (CAN) 17:19.8
2008  Rob Watson (CAN) 14:12.9  Tara Johnson (CAN) 18:48.4
2007  Andrew Smith (CAN) 14:32.8  Megan Brown (CAN) 16:34.1
2006  Eric Morrison (CAN) 15:17.1  Shari Boyle-Hopkins (CAN) 18:13.9
2005  Zeljko Sabol (CAN) 15:36.3  Megan Brown (CAN) 17:50.4
2004  Calvin Staples (CAN) 14:50.3  Diane Nukuri (CAN) 17:00.1
2003  Henry Githuka (KEN) 14:31  Nicole Stevenson (CAN) 16:41
2002  Joseph Nsengiyumva (CAN) 14:40  Krestena Sullivan (CAN) 17:12
2001  Stephane Gamache (CAN) 15:19  Tambra Dunn (CAN) 17:01
2000  Guy Schultz (CAN) 15:15  Kim Webb (CAN) 16:59
1999  Guy Schultz (CAN) 14:50  Danuta Bartosek (CAN) 16:33
1998  Dave Lorne (CAN) 15:13  Natalie Cote (CAN) 16:48
1997  Dave Lorne (CAN) 14:49  Andrea Johnson (CAN) 17:10
1996  Rich Tremain (CAN) 14:34  Paula Schnurr (CAN) 16:01
1995  Fraser Bertram (CAN) 14:40  Liz Jones (CAN) 16:50
1994  Richard Charette (CAN) 14:24  Elizabeth Jones (CAN) 16:34
1993  Greg Jackson (CAN) 15:42  Missy McCleary (CAN) 17:39

Top fundraisers

Top fundraisers of the event since 2005.[7][25]
YearParticipantFunds raised
2008Ted Michaels/ Connie Smith$60,000
2007Ron Foxcroft$55,000
2006Brian Mullan (Hamilton Police Chief)$50,000
2005Dave Andreychuk$30,000

References

  1. ↑ "Registration Details and Fees". Around the Bay Road Race. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "125 years running: Here are some fast facts about the Around the Bay Road Race". CBC News. March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Radley, Scott (September 22, 2020). "Hamilton's Around the Bay Road Race cancelled for 2020". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  4. ↑ Milton, Steve (February 9, 2021). "Around the Bay organizers add flair as Hamilton road race goes virtual". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Dec. 25, 1894: First Around the Bay Race held". The Hamilton Spectator. September 23, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Around the Bay Road Race". Local History & Archives. Hamilton Public Library. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Around the Bay Road Race- Since 1894". The Hamilton Spectator. March 22, 2007. pp. AB1.
  8. ↑ Hristova, Bobby (February 10, 2020). "'We're disappointed:' Valley Inn Road hill dropped from 2020 Around the Bay race". CBC News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  9. ↑ Kelly, Madeleine (March 13, 2020). "Around the Bay cancelled for March 2020". Canadian Running Magazine. Gripped Publishing. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  10. ↑ Milton, Steve (February 9, 2021). "Around the Bay organizers add flair as Hamilton road race goes virtual". The Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  11. ↑ Mann, Ken (July 12, 2023) [Originally posted March 27, 2022]. "Around the Bay runners battle cold, blustery conditions". Global News. 900 CHML. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  12. ↑ Alwahaidi, Keena (March 28, 2022). "'It was really special': What winning Around the Bay means to Hamilton runner Victoria Coates". CBC News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  13. ↑ Vienneau, Eric (March 15, 2022) [Originally posted March 14, 2022]. "Around the Bay Road Race returns in-person after two years of virtual races". CHCH News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  14. ↑ Radley, Scott (March 16, 2022). "Heartbreak Hill will once again be part of Around the Bay". The Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  15. ↑ Urciuoli, Anthony (March 18, 2022). "Hamilton's Valley Inn pedestrian bridge restored in time for Around the Bay Race". insauga. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Construction will close Burlington Canal lift bridge until March". The Hamilton Spectator. December 26, 2022. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  17. ↑ To, Michael (January 4, 2023). "Burlington Canal Lift Bridge closed Jan. 5 until late March". CBC News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  18. ↑ Hristova, Bobby (March 21, 2023). "Burlington Canal Lift Bridge reopens after 2 months of maintenance work". CBC News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  19. ↑ Zamperin, Rick (March 28, 2023) [Originally posted March 26, 2023]. "Blair Morgan and Sasha Gollish win 30k Around the Bay Road Race". Global News. 900 CHML. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  20. ↑ Radley, Scott (March 28, 2023). "Wrong turn costs runner Around the Bay crown". The Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Around the Bay Road Race will close streets today". The Hamilton Spectator. March 29, 2007.
  22. ↑ Mitchell, Don (February 22, 2023) [Originally posted February 21, 2023]. "Hamilton's Around the Bay road race to change in 2024 amid downtown arena development". Global News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Around the bay Road Race, (Official Site)". Archived from the original on June 30, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
  24. ↑ "5k Top Five". Around the Bay Road Race. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Bay Race registration sets torrid pace". The Hamilton Spectator. November 27, 2007.

Further reading

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