On Sunday, thousands of runners hit the streets of Hamilton for the 130th running of the oldest road race in North America, Around the Bay Road Race. Participants could compete in four events: a 5K, 10K, 15K and 34K.
At 35K, this year’s premiere race was longer than usual after race organizers had to extend the 30K route by four kilometres due to construction and renovations in the city’s downtown core; the day before the race a sinkhole was discovered on one of the roads runners would traverse and the route had to be extended by an additional kilometre.
Phil Parrot-Migas from London, Ont., took the win on the men’s side in 1:51:13, and Olympian Rachel Hannah broke the tape on the women’s side in 2:10:57.
35K
Parrot-Migas was followed by Sergio Rãez Villanueva of Mississauga in 1:55:53. Komoka’s Josh Lumani rounded out the podium in 1:59:22. “Around the Bay has so much history and winning this year’s races felt super special for many reasons,” Parrot-Migas told Canadian Running after the race.”This was a massive bucket list item for me and I am happy I can now officially say I’ve completed the iconic race on its 130th anniversary.”
Hannah finished seven minutes ahead of the second-place woman, Shannen Murray of London, Ont., who ran 2:18:17. Murray was closely followed by Toronto runner Kathleeen Lawrence in 3:18:38.
“It has been a dream of mine to win this race,” Hannah told Canadian Running post-race. Hannah said she quickly adapted to the course change extension.”It is important as an athlete to adjust to situations you can’t control, so I refocused my race nutrition to include the extra distance and by doing this I had good energy levels throughout. I took in more carbohydrates and fluid than I normally do at this race.”She added: It was extra special to run a race with several of my teammates with Chappell Racing and to be home again after traveling for the last 6 weeks.
For full results of all distances at the 2024 Around the Bay, head here.
