The race has been renamed The Big Easter Fun Run and their new registration system is the first one I have seen that allows you to pick and chose exactly the race experience you want and to pay only for what you want. Other races from the Big Fun Run series following this one will do the same. I am loving this idea and hope more race directors will do the same. Wit this system, you pay a very low registration fee of $15 to just participate in the race (which includes a bib that can be customized to include the bunny nickname of your choice AND a themed costume accessory) and the following are optional:
- chip timing
- finisher medal
- "fun pack"
- race kit mailout (up to a certain date)

I selected to receive the cute medal (more for my toddler girl than myself), chip time (though I ended up not needing it as I opted to do the run pushing a stroller), and the fun pack.

The atmosphere:
As usual, the Running Tours team did an amazing job at making the experience fun for everybody. They organized an egg hunt after the kid's 1k, had bib colouring stations, fun music and live race commenting, and a race director dressed as a giant pink bunny. The bunny-themed warm up included some hops, carrot eating, and more classic moves that got everybody smiling and ready to enjoy their runs. There were many kids, dogs, strollers and people in costumes around and I really felt more like I had joined a cool kid's bunny-themed birthday party than a race.

The course: I had not trained for a couple of weeks, so I chose to run the race as a casual stroller run. I was a bit worried it would be tough as the course included some gravel paths, but it was only a small portion of the total run and it ended up not feeling too tough. I even ended up with a stroller 5k PB. The only issue was signage and marshalling. A lot of us, myself included, did not understand that we had to follow an arrow that was pointing towards a path going through woods as there was nothing on it mentioning it was signage for the Big Easter Run. There was also no marshall there. The race would definitely benefit from more race-specific signs and additional volunteers.

The swag: I loved that everybody got bunny ears and by flattening them on the side it was possible to make them more aerodynamic while upping the cuteness factor. Themedal and ribbon that came with it were pretty cute and my little one wanted to wear it right after I got it. I was only disappointed by the content of the fun pack. The only part of it I liked was the bubble wand. The rest was just basic candies in bunny-themed packaging like a bunny-nose lollypop and sugar inside a carrot. I expected things that I could use during the race. For next time, I would suggest a bunny tail or bowtie, some ankle bells, or even some fun temporary tattoos. I still have the lollypop today as my little one is too young for it and I am not a fan of lollypops myself.

Post-race Activities: there were a wide variety juice boxes for all runners, tea samples from David's Tea, and sponsor tables who offered some prizes to be won. The egg hunt had been done right after the kids 1k, so it was over by the time I finished my 5k with the little one, but a very kind member of the Running Tours team offered to hide a few eggs so that my little one could still have some fun and earn us a big chocolate bunny.

For more detailed race reviews, visit my blog post: http://looseleafrunner.blogspot.ca