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