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The 5K RUN for the Looneys is Back !

7/26/2023

That's right folks. After a 3 year hiatus, due to COVID, the 5K RUN for the Looneys is back, and group entries are now being accepted.

To obtain the details of this boutique, one-of-kind, event, and HOW TO ENTER, download the following file which even includes a flyover of the route .

5k_run_for_the_looneys_3.doc
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Below is a 2020 article that was never posted due to COVID which caused the abrupt cancellation of further runs.

5K Run for the Looneys begs a Sequel

The recent 5K RUN for the Looneys was a major success. Folks really appreciated having a non-virtual run event with a set date and start time.

Granted it was no frills, given the run was more of a time trial workout than a formal race,with just a few other runners, and without the auxiliary services of medical, food and drink, baggage check, etc.

However, the REALLY FLAT Tommy Thompson straight out-and-back route proved quite popular, offering a flat route - accurately measured by Coach Pimm based on the IAAF protocol. And the the halfway turnaround allowed the runners to cheer (and jeer) the runners who were on the other side of the road.

And each finisher received the "Looney" medallion (a real loonie) and Completion Certificate.

In addition, all participants received a Gift Certificate for a Body Compositon Assessment (value +$60)

Because each run was limited to 4 or 5 runners, it was not surprising that a camaraderie amongst the participants was quickly established. As the Beatles sang, “A splendid time is guaranteed for all".

Here’s one Toronto/Guelph Clan of Kenya and the United Kingdom. Team Captain, Ian Markham (beside Coach Pimm), thought the “workout” was "absolutely brilliant and certainly worthy of a David Attenborough narration:

Georgina Spring Fling 10K is now AC Certified

4/13/2023

The Georgina Spring Fling is happening on Saturday April 6, 2023, along the scenic shore of Lake Simcoe.

All of the race courses are fabulously flat.

The Half Marathon is run on a previously certified route used for the for the fall, the Georgina Half and Full Marathon.

And recently, the event organizers decided to have the 10K certified by Athletics Canada. And so they commissioned Coach Pimm for the measuring, and Athletics Canada has granted the 10K course certification.

Special thanks to Athletics Canada's Bernie Conway and Maxim Chaiasson for the quick review and approval.

It's not too late to register. See HERE.

Mississauga Half Marathon achieves AC Label

3/7/2023

The Mississauga Marathon event is no longer. It has been replaced by the Mississauga Half, sponsored by Novo Nordisk, a leading global healthcare company.

And so, the Mississauga Half event weekend has taken on a new and enhanced look and feel, and in 2023 the runner experience will be second to none. With a newly designed half marathon, 10K and 5K it offers a race for every age and ability

As the website says, “We’re building on the success of the last 19 years as we innovate and plan for the next 20 years!”

Adding to the excitement is the news that the half marathon race has been accepted into Athletics Canada's Label Program 2023 series.

Races included in the series are in full compliance with World Athletics Competition Rules. This allows every Canadian performance achieved at their events to be recognized by World Athletics and included in the World Athletics Rankings. All races in the series will also feature an elite program and prize money.

Coach Peter Pimm is collaborating with world renowned Bernie Conway, (AIMS-IAAF Measurement Administrator for the Americas) to measure the new course. See the course map HERE.

Race Day is Sunday April 30, 2023. Visit the WEBSITE for the deets.

Sporting Life 10K is back!

5/7/2022

The Sporting Life 10K is back and running through the streets of Toronto in support of CAMPFIRE CIRCLE. The event is happening on Mother's Day, Sunday May 8, 2022.

This event is a great opportunity to fundraise for CAMPFIRE CIRCLE and help kids and families affected by childhood cancer.

The city of Toronto continues to grow, and because a new route was required, Coach Pimm was commissioned to work with Canada Runners Series’ Chris Fagel and Scott Jones to measure and and successfully obtain Athletics Canada Certification.

The new route has to be one of, if not the fastest, 10 km. routes in Ontario. The course is almost entirely downhill on Yonge Street, one of Canada’s and Toronto’s iconic streets, starting at an elevation of 158 metres and finishing at 77 metres.

You can see the route Map and details HERE.

Heading down Yonge Street

New Start line for Mississauga Marathon

3/24/2022

The Mississauga Marathon event is back and it's LIVE!
happening on the weekend of April 29 - May 1, 2022.

The Event offers spectacular race routes through the city and along the waterfront, and is one of Canada’s premier running events. With a distance for everybody it is a weekend not to be missed.

Each race finishes along the spectacular waterfront trail with views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline. From the start of the marque event Marathon and Half Marathon at Celebration Square, in the heart of Mississauga, through the University of Toronto-Mississauga campus and the historic villages in the south, this event shows off the best Mississauga has to offer.

Crossing the CREDIT RIVER bridge

Complimenting the marque events are a 10K, 5K and family friendly 2K. So an event for the entire family!

AND on the Friday, pickup your bib and visit the Health & Welfare Expo with over 30 Exhibitors featuring sponsors, merchandise, running apparel and accessories, nutritional and fitness products, samples and much more.

New START LINE location

NEW START

Due to construction, this year's START line location has been moved to Mercer Street, a minor route change in the first 150 metres.

Coach Pimm has been commissioned to measure the minor alteration to insure the routes are certified by Athletics Canada.

(UPDATE - On April 5, 2022, Athletics Canada granted CERTIFICATION for the Half and Full Marathon courses)

For more event information click HERE.

THE WILD MILE - Wednesday Oct. 27/21 - now certifed

10/21/2021

In the fall of 2019, the Runners Shop introduced the Wild Mile - see earlier post HERE.

The event is unique in that the mile distance is a seldom run event, and it's run in the gorgeous ravines of Roycroft Park and Nordheimer Ravine, just south of Sir Winston Churchill Park at the corner of St. Claire Ave. W. and Spadina Rd., in Toronto.

Back in 2019, the ravine was undergoing construction so that the route had to deviate from the hiking/bike path. Consequently it was not practical to have the route certified, although Coach Pimm did accurately measure the route that was used.

However, now that the renovations have been completed, the Runners Shop recently commissioned Pimm to measure the route and it is now certified by Athletics Canada.

The route is basically out and back, with a loop around the half way point. Check out the course map HERE.

It should be noted that The Wild Mile is in support of Hopes Rise, a charity that invests in children living in poverty to enhance their social health, cognitive development and academic success.

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TO REGISTER go HERE.
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Muskoka Marathon has 5K & 10K routes certified

10/11/2021

Although the event has already happened, those who participated may be interested to know that early in the week of the race, race organizer, Jed Corbeil, and his committee, decided to ask Coach Pimm to measure and facilitate both the 5K and 10K races be certified by Athletics Canada.(Note - the races were run on a out and back route)

This decision was precipitated by one of Canada's outstanding age group runners, Liz Schad, who expressed a desire to try for a Canadian record in the 65 to 69 year category for 5K.. And records can only be approved if performed on a certified route, in a sanctioned event.

As it happened, Liz just missed breaking the Canadian Record of 21:15, recording an outstanding 21:27. But that did break the Ontario record. So congrats Liz !!

You can see the course details HERE.

Georgina Marathon Sunday Oct. 17/21 – A Certified Boston Qualifier !

9/3/2021

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ADDENDUM - Canada Running Magazine published a fine article about this event that you can read HERE.
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ATTENTION RUNNERS - Here's a great opportunity to run a fall marathon or half marathon. Introducing the inaugural Georgina Marathon and Half Marathon.

Georgina, Ontario, is an hour north of Toronto, making it a central location for athletes from the GTA, Golden Horseshoe and Cottage Country.

The runs start and finish in beautiful De La Salle Park with the runners going along the shores of Lake Simcoe through the quiet communities of Georgina.

De La Salle Park - the START/FINISH

The scenic course (see map HERE) is an out and back, running from De La Salle Park on to Lake Drive with lots of shade, and views of stunning properties and Lake Simcoe.

AND it's flat and fast.

Both the Marathon and Half Marathon courses were measured by Coach Peter Pimm. and are Athletics Canada Certified.

The race begins at 8:00am, leaving in waves of 50 runners every 5 minutes This start procedure will be modified as needed, should COVID-19 restrictions change.

SPARK Sports Nutrition is the official nutrition provider on course. And finishers will receive a custom Georgina Marathon buff and finishers medal.

For more information, visit the website HERE.

Muskoka Marathon Oct.4/20 - A Boston Qualifier

8/15/2020

ATTENTION BOSTON MARATHON ASPIRANTS !

Bracebridge, Ontario has obtained sanctioning from Athletics Ontario to host the Muskoka Marathon on October 4/20, making it one of the few live Ontario marathons in 2020 as most other marathons have been converted to virtual events, or cancelled.

In order to obtain all of the necessary permissions, the route and staging will be unique.

The route starts and finishes at the one and only Santa's Village and travels mainly along both sides of the scenic Muskoka River.

Runners will run 2 loops of an out and back route. The run has very little elevation.

Coach Pimm was commissioned to measure the route in order for it to be eligible for Boston Marathon qualification. And Athletics Canada has granted Certification for the Marathon as well as the Half Marathon. You can see the official certificate HERE.

Aerial view of the race route

As for how the event will be conducted: from the Race Director, Jed Corbeil:

"2020 has been an eye-opening year and we want to be as safe as possible for our participating runners and staff. To ensure that we do not have gatherings over 100 people on site, once you have registered, we will send you a time slot for your run. You will be grouped with 10 other runners in your time slot. Please show up no earlier than 20 minutes before your run and go directly to your designated waiting area. We will have no more than 10 runners leaving every 5 minutes. Please respect the space of your competitors and make sure you stay at least 6 feet apart.
Thank you so much! We are looking forward to a live race in Muskoka!"

Other races on the same weekend include a 5 km. and 10 km. on Saturday Oct, 3 and a Half Marathon on Sunday Oct. 4.

During Covid-19 - A Toronto Run event

5/8/2020