The Child Development Centre race is held each year at the Queen's University Athletic Centre. This is a great family event and proceeds go towards the Child Development Centre. This is their 20th annual event and has a great snack table, face painting for the kids, quick race kit pick-up and this year a nice bright yellow tech tee. Children start off the race at 0930 hours and the adults follow at 1000 with a choice of a 10K or 5K route. The course is flat and loops out and around the older neighbourhoods of Kingston. Children get a participant's medal and the local dance troop entertain racers at the opening ceremonies. Overall a well-organized event with a water station 1/2 way. Great indoor facilities on site and lots of local street side parking. Running room sets up the timing for the event and the MC, from a local radio station, keeps racers motivated and informed.

This is a smaller event located on Queen's University Campus. The course begins at Leonard Park and loops out and around through the streets of Kingston, Ontario. It is run solely by the students and all proceeds go towards the Medical Students fund. They had hot coffee for all racers and a small swag bag with flyers, an apple, water, sunglasses, and granola bar. The volunteers were very friendly and the course is flat and fast. No indoor facilities here, so dress appropriately. Parking available along the local streets.

It was a chilly -8 so we bundled up and headed to Montreal. 3 hour drive one way. Parking on site for $12.00. Ample washrooms, flat, family friendly course. Chocolate served in small cups every kilometer or so and two water stations. Great medal shaped like chocolate squares and the vendor village had samples and gourmet booths set up. Indoor area to warm up and music to keep racers motivated with brief warm up before each heat. Cotton unisex tee shirt and race kit with samples and customized race bibs. Untimed event. 4000 participants this year. Arrive early for your heat to avoid line ups or pick up your race kit the day before. Nice location in a parkland setting, small elevations, and two laps of 2.5K each. Friendly volunteers and easy to navigate. Check for road construction prior to driving out. Easily located on subway line and across from the Olympic Stadium and Insectarium co-located here. Good communications from event coordinators throughout! For a first time event, well done!

Located in Smiths Falls this race would appeal to both families for the 4 PM heat and Elite racers at the 8 PM heat. We chose the 6 PM Amateur heat to experience the course in the dark. Head lamps were mandatory for night racers and we headed out to a looped course with approx 20 obstacles to entertain us along the way including walls, ladders, carries and over/unders. Ample free parking and within driving distance of Ottawa, Kingston and Montreal. Cotton tee and small medal for all finishers. Top 3 for male/female elite heat. Water station near 1/2 way point. For a first time event, kept racers guessing with approx 90 participants taking on the challenge along this wooded, snowy course.

This year we broke the record for low temperatures and the directors had to cancel the 1/2 and full marathon and bump racers down to the 10K. They kept them separate for timings and offered rebates for fees paid. Parking is not great at this location and the ongoing construction hampered access even more. The sun helped keep racers warm in the -27 degree weather as they did an out and back loop for a 3K, 5K or 10K event. Cannons start the racers and each participant receives a finishers medal. There are also prizes for top 3 male/female and age categories. This year racers received toques and fleece blankets. Free massages are available in the vendor village and they have long sleeve shirts available for $15.00. Timed event. Free bag check on site. Bananas, water and bars available to racers and the War Museum in Ottawa was a great venue to keep racers warm with a small cafeteria on-site for dining. Somersault events are one of my favourites, well organized, efficient, friendly and lots of prizes for various categories. Great communications, easy registration and quick race kit pick up. Lockers also available on-site. Fairly flat course good for improving times. Watch for icy patches.