The Railway City Road Races returns to St. Thomas, Ontario on September 27, 2026. Organized by the Railway City Road Races team with support from local sponsors, the event builds on 11 previous editions and remains a highlight of the fall running season in Elgin County.

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Race day is a one‑day festival of distances: the Rob Broadbent Half Marathon, a 10K, a 5K, and the 1 km Choo Choo Challenge for kids. Typical start times follow the event's established schedule — half marathon at 8:30 a.m., 10K at 9:00 a.m., 5K at 9:10 a.m., and the kids' race at 10:30 a.m. All adult distances are chip timed by Enfield Timing and the course enforces a 3 hour 30 minute cutoff for official finish times.

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The Railway City Road Races stands out for its flat, fast courses that thread through St. Thomas landmarks: the start/finish sits on the path behind the historic CASO Station and the routes showcase murals, iconic statues and historic buildings. Proceeds support Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Thomas‑Elgin, and race weekend includes a community wellness expo with local vendors plus post‑race food and hydration for participants. In 2025 the event surpassed 1,000 registered runners, underscoring its growing appeal to local and visiting racers alike.

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Registration traditionally opens January 1; entrants are encouraged to register early to secure lower pricing and preferred race slots.

• Start and finish on the path behind the historic CASO Station in downtown St. Thomas
• Routes combine paved trails, city paths and quiet roads
• Course showcases local murals, iconic statues and historic St. Thomas buildings
• Course profile is famously flat with minimal elevation change
• Aid stations (water and Gatorade) approximately every 2 kilometres; food and water available at the finish

• Flat, fast course: a famously flat route through St. Thomas that’s well suited to PB attempts and steady pacing
• Chip timing for adult races: Enfield Timing chips are used for the 5K, 10K and Rob Broadbent Half Marathon
• Every ~2 km aid stations: water and Gatorade are supplied at aid stations spaced roughly every two kilometres on the 5K, 10K and half courses
• Start/finish at CASO Station: races begin and end on the path behind the historic CASO Station, putting runners in the heart of town
• Charity beneficiary: event proceeds support Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Thomas‑Elgin