Thursday, March 26, 2015

So about that Around the Bay hill in 2015 (and 2016)

So no hill, now what?

The 2015 (and 2016) Around the Bay won't feature the final monster of a hill, instead creating a 2K diversion. Those of us who have run Around the Bay in that past know that the hill, which follows a huge downward plunge down Spring Garden Road, is a monster with around 3K to go.  Call it Canada's Heart Break Hill.


Update: It's the same route in 2016. Here is the 2015 route I ran.



2015: So not having run the rerouted 2K, I went to Mapmyrun to compare the two routes.

Here's the original route, which according to the elevation charts features 61 feet of climbing (of course, after a plunge.



And here's the rerouted map,  weirdly enough with 62 feet of climbing, but a different overall profile of course.


Odd eh? So, I'm going to say the reroute is net easier and the climbs are gradual, which most runners will be able to take in stride.

The maps can be wrong, right?

Anyone have other perspectives?

Update:

Says Laura in the comments: "It's esentially flat. You are just continuing along Plains past the RBG instead of bearing left behind it. You then hook onto York so it is essentially a longer "Straightaway" into the finish."

And Emma: "The new section of the route is flat. The elevation maps make it look like a climb because you go across a bridge, and the map trace is following the ground level rather than the bridge. Basically once you get to the RBG it's essentially a slight downhill/flat all the way to the finish. There's a small bit as you come around onto york that feels to me like a false flat, but it's short and if it is a climb, it is VERY minor"

Other posts on Around the Bay:


4 comments:

Laura said...

It's esentially flat. You are just continuing along Plains past the RBG instead of bearing left behind it. You then hook onto York so it is essentially a longer "Straightaway" into the finish.
At the very least the dude who always plays: "We Will Rock You" will still be out.

Emma said...

The new section of the route is flat. The elevation maps make it look like a climb because you go across a bridge, and the map trace is following the ground level rather than the bridge. Basically once you get to the RBG it's essentially a slight downhill/flat all the way to the finish. There's a small bit as you come around onto york that feels to me like a false flat, but it's short and if it is a climb, it is VERY minor.

macnic said...

Valley Inn isn't the worst hill anyway, that's the climb to La Salle Park. Can't wait to blast down York again! All the best in your race, Kenny!

chris mcpeake said...

No hill again this year? What the heck? I though it was closed last year for road work. What a huge disappointment its my favorite part of the course.