Fun Run Photo 1571939

Around the Bay Road Race 2026

Date
April 12, 2026
Location
Hamilton, ON
Events
Races

About Around the Bay Road Race 2026

Around the Bay Road Race 2026 takes place on April 12, 2026 in Hamilton, Ontario and is presented by the Bay Race organisers. First run in 1894 — three years before the Boston Marathon — Around the Bay is the oldest road race on the continent and carries more than a century of local tradition and competitive history.

The weekend offers distance choices for a wide range of runners: a 30K, 15K, 10K and 5K, plus a virtual option for those who prefer to run remotely. Tentative start times list the 15K at 9:10am, the 10K at 9:20am, the 30K at 9:30am and the 5K at 9:40am; there are shuttle buses from LIUNA Station to the 10K and 15K start lines leaving at 8:30am on race morning. All in-person distances are individual entries — there are no relays.

What sets Around the Bay apart is a mix of history and course character: the route loops around Hamilton Harbour, crosses the canal lift bridge, and runs the Beach Strip before the final rolling hills on North Shore Boulevard. Runners finish into FirstOntario Centre and post-race operations — including food, water and medal pickup for participants — are staged inside LIUNA Station. The in-person 30K carries a 4.5-hour time limit with mid-race cutoffs (15K by 11:45am and 20K by 12:30pm), and aid stations plus portable toilets sit at roughly five-kilometre intervals along the 30K.

Registration notes: the 30K is listed as sold out for 2026. Transfer and sub-event change windows close on March 22, 2026; details and policies — including deferral and race-cancellation options — are published by the race organisers.

EVENTS

Please check the official website for up-to-date times and pricing

30K

Around the Bay Road Race 2026
April 12, 2026
Hamilton, ON
30K

10K

Around the Bay Road Race 2026
10K
April 12, 2026
Hamilton, ON
10K

15K

Around the Bay Road Race 2026
April 12, 2026
Hamilton, ON
15K

5K

Around the Bay Road Race 2026
5K
April 12, 2026
Hamilton, ON
5K

Course Details

  • 30K start on Simcoe St E just east of John St N (north of LIUNA Station); finish at Murray and Hughson entering FirstOntario Centre
  • Road course around Hamilton Harbour that uses overpasses to the Woodward Ave on-ramp and runs the Beach Strip and Eastport Drive
  • Key landmarks along the route include the Canal Lift Bridge, North Shore Boulevard, Plains Road/York Blvd and Dundurn Castle approach
  • The first 20 km is generally fast and scenic; the final 10 km features rolling hills on North Shore Blvd and Valley Inn Hill
  • Aid stations and portable toilets are provided at roughly five-kilometre intervals on the 30K; elevation chart and GPX file are available

Race Highlights

- **Historic course:** the Around the Bay Road Race is North America's oldest road race, first run in 1894
- **Finish inside FirstOntario Centre:** runners enter the venue for the finish and are directed to the concourse and seating area post-race
- **New confirmed 30K route:** organisers emphasize the 30K is a true 30.0 km course with GPX and elevation files available
- **Shuttle service to start lines:** buses depart LIUNA Station at 8:30am to the 10K and 15K start locations and wait until race time
- **Regular aid stops:** portable toilets and aid stations are positioned at approximately every five kilometres on the 30K

RACE DAY COUNTDOWN

175
Days
175
Hours
175
Minutes
Date
April 12, 2026
Season
Location
Hamilton, ON
Avg Temp
Avg Humidity