8:00am: YMCA opens, change rooms with showers are available for Boxing Day entrants. Lockers are available in the change rooms, runners please bring your own lock and towel. The main gymnasium opens at 10:00am.
PARKING, Free Parking on Boxing Day is available on City Streets and at City Hall (one block west of the YMCA on Jackson Street). The lots across from the YMCA are pay lots. See the close up map below. GO Transit: The Hamilton Station is next to the start line. See if you can save the drive.
10:00am: Race Day Registration opens in the YMCA main gymnasium, race bib and race wear pickup opens for runners who registered in advance. You can register on Boxing Day $70.00 cash only (no baseball cap). Spectators are welcome in the gymnasium. Pets are not allowed in the YMCA or on the race course. Service animals are welcome and they should wear identification and must be leashed at all times.
HEADSETS, EARBUDS and HEADPHONES -- We strongly discourage wearing devices that interfere with hearing. There is traffic on the road and runners who will be passing you; all of your senses should be focused on your event.
Wear your race bib with chip on your front on the outside of your clothes to receive a time. Please take time to fill out the back of the bib with your personal information.
Washrooms: There are several washroom locations in the YMCA including the change rooms, main hallway and fitness centre. The GO Station on Hunter Street close to the start line also has large washrooms available.
Weather: The average temperature is around freezing. In 2018 it was sunny and +7C, in 2017 it was windy and -15C. Plan your run based on the weather of the day. We are fortunate that before and after the run we have use of the YMCA.
NOON: Runners and Walkers start on Hughson Street next to the YMCA. Walkers please start at the back of the pack. Our course has large sections of out and back, so please stay to the right to avoid issues. There are fast 10 mile runners who will be overtaking slower 4 mile runners and walkers in the last mile, so please stay to the right.
Notice: Race wear not picked up by the start of the race become Property of the Harriers.
12:20pm: First 4 mile finishers arrive on Hughson Street one block north of the Tim Hortons. The finish for 2019 is further north on Hughson due to the road closure for the construction. Getting to the finish, walk north on Hughson Street to King William Street. Come and cheer on the more than 800 participants as they cross the finish line, receive their snowman finishers medal and a fleece blanket to stay warm, then head back to the YMCA for a shower, refreshments and awards.
2:00pm: Race Awards in the Main Gymnasium where spectators are welcome. $3,000 in cash awards for overall winners, plus snowman belt buckles for age group winners.
2:30pm: Race Course Closes.
Post Race Social at the Pheasant Plucker and Augusta House Pubs. Bring your race number for a beer. Walk through the GO Station then turn right at Augusta Street, the Pubs are across the road from each other.
3:00pm: Gym is closed and returns to YMCA use.
Gold finisher medal
10 mile, males under 60 minutes, females under 70 minutes
4 mile. males under 24 minutes, females under 28 minutes
White finisher medal All finishers
PARKING, Free Parking on Boxing Day is available on City Streets and at City Hall (one block west of the YMCA on Jackson Street). The lots across from the YMCA are pay lots. See the close up map below. GO Transit: The Hamilton Station is next to the start line. See if you can save the drive.
10:00am: Race Day Registration opens in the YMCA main gymnasium, race bib and race wear pickup opens for runners who registered in advance. You can register on Boxing Day $70.00 cash only (no baseball cap). Spectators are welcome in the gymnasium. Pets are not allowed in the YMCA or on the race course. Service animals are welcome and they should wear identification and must be leashed at all times.
HEADSETS, EARBUDS and HEADPHONES -- We strongly discourage wearing devices that interfere with hearing. There is traffic on the road and runners who will be passing you; all of your senses should be focused on your event.
Wear your race bib with chip on your front on the outside of your clothes to receive a time. Please take time to fill out the back of the bib with your personal information.
Washrooms: There are several washroom locations in the YMCA including the change rooms, main hallway and fitness centre. The GO Station on Hunter Street close to the start line also has large washrooms available.
Weather: The average temperature is around freezing. In 2018 it was sunny and +7C, in 2017 it was windy and -15C. Plan your run based on the weather of the day. We are fortunate that before and after the run we have use of the YMCA.
NOON: Runners and Walkers start on Hughson Street next to the YMCA. Walkers please start at the back of the pack. Our course has large sections of out and back, so please stay to the right to avoid issues. There are fast 10 mile runners who will be overtaking slower 4 mile runners and walkers in the last mile, so please stay to the right.
Notice: Race wear not picked up by the start of the race become Property of the Harriers.
12:20pm: First 4 mile finishers arrive on Hughson Street one block north of the Tim Hortons. The finish for 2019 is further north on Hughson due to the road closure for the construction. Getting to the finish, walk north on Hughson Street to King William Street. Come and cheer on the more than 800 participants as they cross the finish line, receive their snowman finishers medal and a fleece blanket to stay warm, then head back to the YMCA for a shower, refreshments and awards.
2:00pm: Race Awards in the Main Gymnasium where spectators are welcome. $3,000 in cash awards for overall winners, plus snowman belt buckles for age group winners.
2:30pm: Race Course Closes.
Post Race Social at the Pheasant Plucker and Augusta House Pubs. Bring your race number for a beer. Walk through the GO Station then turn right at Augusta Street, the Pubs are across the road from each other.
3:00pm: Gym is closed and returns to YMCA use.
Gold finisher medal
10 mile, males under 60 minutes, females under 70 minutes
4 mile. males under 24 minutes, females under 28 minutes
White finisher medal All finishers
Title sponsor of our event since 2012.