It was a bright and chilly Around the Bay road race in Hamilton on Sunday, the 124th running of a proud Canadian tradition that many runners use as a tune up to their spring races and enjoy year after year. Anne-Marie, pictured above, in the pink, found it a very rewarding morning.
“First time doing a 30k and it was awesome. Ran 3:28 and found the hills not so bad as I trained in Peterborough and did the half there in February. Living well at 62 years old!“
Cory Boyd said, “I trained for the ATB 20 years ago, and hurt myself the last long run. Every year since I ask myself why I didn’t do it. I’m turning 50 this week, and finally did it! I am so pleased with myself, and thankful for my running group friends!!” 
Indeed, the feel of family and friendship was prevalent at the race, which generally brings out a fairly dedicated level of runners, what with the hills and the chilly conditions and the requirement to train through January and February to be able to perform on race day.
The male winners were Haron Kiptoo Sirma and Paneul Mkungo and the female winners were Dayna Pidhoresky and Krista DuChene. Reid Coolsaet, deep in the throes of his training for Boston took fourth place and finished according to his race plan. He also found the stamina to join the official after party, baby and wife in tow, at Merit Brewery. For Dana Cantarutti, who trains with Toronto’s Black Toe Running, her successful race was a credit to her crew. [photograph by Carlos Game-Garcia]
“Wearing the Black Toe jersey makes me feel like I toe the line next to my entire team. Today’s biggest ‘happy moment’ was realizing that I’d never have accomplished what I did without the support that each teammate provides in their own individual way. Whether through running next to me, sharing my happiness at the finish line, informally mentoring me and caring about my success, joking around pre-race or sharing warmth through hugs at the start line…. I love you all!”
Tanis Smith, pictured below, trains with Grand River Endurance, a talented group of runners, including her husband Josh, who took 11th place. She said, “It was a beautiful sunny day for running with some very challenging winds. We all fought hard especially in that first 10K to stay tough. I was running mostly solo for the race through 20K, still close to my course PB pace. I felt great on the hilly section as we’ve run that as a training run a few times this winter. I’d definitely recommend people do this if they can! I did have someone pass me near the 25K mark, and they were having a great day. All in all good to get our there and run my best on the day—lucky to be doing what I love and doing well at it! Mitch Free won the masters, Rob ran over 2min PB and Josh ran about 1.5min PB!”
For me personally, it was a great race. I had lost a little of my love after the Chilly Half. That race I ran with a fever and, worse than that, I was in a bad mental place. I didn’t sleep a wink before the run and for whatever reason, maybe that it was the first race of the year, I just gave myself a lot of stress.
Around the Bay was my first race back in which I high-fived kids, listened to my music and had a smile on my face. It was great to see so many familiar faces, there’s nothing better than this running world, and I always love when everyone comes together over a few beers at a party after the race. Next year will be the 125th running of Around the Bay.
I bet you there’s a lot of runners with me this morning saying, despite the sore muscles, I can’t wait to do this again.
ps: If you ran Around the Bay yesterday or anything else, please get in touch with us. We want to share your stories!!
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This was my first year and I was blown away by how involved the communities are in the race it was challenging and special I’ll b back next year!