Around the Bay 30K new course route and strategy for 2014 (updated)

It's a month out until the old granddaddy of Ontario road races, the Around the Bay 30K. As usual, I'm coming out with an updated Around the Bay 30K 2014 strategy guide based on the new course. I'm going to look at bit at the first 10K that was changed this year.

UPDATE: The Around the Bay 2015 course will not have the infamous hill, according to the race director in several reports.

The changes to the race route took place after a train delayed runners from crossing. I documented some pictures from those delays last year.

30k around the bay race. Train. Great. pic.twitter.com/Xg6BwzCqjb
— Natalie Deschamps (@ndeschamps) March 24, 2013

Update: Canadian Running has uploaded a virtual course video. Great job guys.


So here's a look at the new route, which has runners going up on Bay St toward the waterfront, then on to Burlington St. before it rejoins the old course around 11K in.

New Route

Here's the old route, which runners are familiar with

Last year's route

The Around the Bay folks did a little map that showcases two water stations in the first 10K



View Around the Bay Road Race in a larger map

A couple points I'll note, based on these Streetview maps:

The route is relatively flat at the start, even looks slightly downhill


View Around the Bay Road Race in a larger map

Waterfront running is nice


View Around the Bay Road Race in a larger map

Should be a few interesting turns around the park getting to Burlington St.