Overview of the courses

We hope that our participants will enjoy our scenic courses that were designed with course enjoyment as our top priority. The courses begin by running the streets of downtown followed by crossing over the beautiful Blackfriars bridge. They continue along the Thames River before passing through the Blackfriars neighbourhood.

The 5K then crosses over the Oxford Street bridge, and then under the famous Talbot Street bridge before heading back to do a lap of Victoria Park to the finish line.

The 10K and Half Marathon continue up Wharncliffe, past the lawn-bowling club, to the foot bridge that leads into Gibbons Park. Following the scenic trail, alongside the river and through “Banana Kingdom” (As London runners like to call it). These courses come out onto The Parkway. The 10K then turns into Western University, over the bridge, and does a lap of the iconic University Hill. *We realize this part of the race might be tough, but we hope that participants can appreciate the wide open course, beautiful views and “what goes up, must come down” on the other side of the hill. The 10K then ventures back to the park with a combination of roads and a little bit of trail as they go under the Oxford Street bridge.

The Half Marathon participants can enjoy venturing past the stunning St. Peter’s Seminary into the character filled homes, lovely Old North neighbourhood. The flat, straight course up Adelaide will remind participants that it is a true road race. Then they will turn down Windermere, into the stunning Tetherwood neighbourhood and onto the somewhat newly created, winding TVP path that leads them back to the University along the river again. Then it’s their turn to do a lap of Western University. We gave them a more gradual (slightly less steep incline) than the 10K, that takes them past the University Community Centre & the McIntosh Art Gallery. They then link back up with the 10K course which leads to the 5K course, and back to the finish line!

Beautiful bridge count: 5K: 3, 10K: 4, HM: 8

Notes:

• Please note that our courses are currently being approved by the city & professionally certified

• All routes are paved without any curbs to allow for bicycle marshals & wheelchair or stroller participants.

• Each kilometer is marked with a sign for each course

• All courses have the same finish line which is located in front of our title sponsor, Canada Life on Dufferin Avenue.

Asics RunKeeper Half Marathon

• London Police Services will be located at every traffic light intersection and at various higher-traffic points on the courses. They will also be on motorcycles and in vehicles monitoring the courses all morning.

• Western Special Constables will be located through Western University. They will be managing traffic at the lights and while the bridge is closed for participant use.

• Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Team will be located directly at the finish line, as well as have some of their Doctors riding the courses on Bicycle.

• St. John Ambulance with have their first response teams at the finish line and will also be riding the courses on bicycle.

• Course Marshals will be located along the course routes to ensure everyone stays on course and alert our Course Director of any medical or safety issues.

• Bike Course Marshals will be leading, riding with the flow of participants and acting as a follow bike to ensure everyone makes it back to the finish line safely.

• Water & Aid Stations will be located every 2-5 km on the courses. These are volunteer groups that offer water and/or Gatorade to participants. They also have first aid kits, chaffing cream and various medical supplies if needed.

Who’s on the courses with you?

Course FAQ