Around the Bay Road Race

Winner Jim Duffy (1912) on the bridge over Burlington Canal.

Around the Bay Road Race, is the oldest long distance road race in North America, held in Hamilton, Ontario since 1894, nearly three years before the Boston Marathon, though is not marathon length. This 30 kilometre race is also known as the Billy Sherring Memorial Road Race.^[1] It is also called the 30K Around The Bay.

The more recent addition of a 5 kilometre walk or run now provides everyone with the opportunity to participate.^[2]

All races start on York Boulevard, one block west of the Copps Coliseum. All races finish inside Copps Coliseum. On Sunday, March 29, over 9000 participants crossed the finish line.^[3]

In 2005, the Around the Bay Road Race partnered with St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation and, for the first time became a fundraising event. The hospital, on James Street South, has been serving the community since 1890.^[2]

History

The Hamilton Herald Newspaper and cigar store owner "Billy" Carroll, originated and sponsored the first "Around the Bay Road Race", run on Christmas Day, 1894. The race tested the abilities of the finest long distance runners, but was also an avenue to lay down some bets. In the early 20th century, Jack Caffery and William Sherring battled it out and won two "Bay" races each. Caffery went on to stun the Americans at the Boston Marathon in 1900, by being the first Canadian to win Boston.

To add insult to injury, Hamilton's William Sherring and Fred Hughson placed second and third, behind Caffery, making it a Canadian sweep. Caffery rubbed it in even further by coming back the next year 1901, to win Boston again.

Not to be outdone by Caffery, William Sherring went on to win the 1906 Olympic Marathon in Athens, Greece, making him a Canadian hero.

Scotty Rankine holds the distinguished honour of seven wins, established in the late 1930s and early 1940s, while Peter Maher won his fifth Bay race in 1996, tying the record of local Gord Dickson, who had five wins in the late 1950s.

Top fundraisers

References

1. ^ "Around the bay Road Race, (Official Site)". http://www.aroundthebayroadrace.com/. Retrieved 2007-06-29. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Around the Bay Road Race- Since 1894.". The Hamilton Spectator. 2007-03-22. pp. AB1. 
3. ^ "Around the Bay Road Race will close streets today.". The Hamilton Spectator. 2007-03-29. 
4. ^ "Bay Race registration sets torrid pace". The Hamilton Spectator. 2007-11-27. 

External links

• Official Web site
• St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
• Around the Bay Road Race info at (www.myhamilton.com)
• Around the Bay Road Race info at (www.coolrunning.com)
• Around the Bay Road Race info at (http://www.beginnertriathlete.com)

Photos

• Around the Bay Road Race- Photo Gallery

Video

• Around the Bay Road Race - Video clips (http://michiganrunner.tv)

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