Hundreds take part in Burlington’s Canada Day Race amid heat wave

The hot weather didn’t seem to slow anyone down in Burlington Wednesday, as the city’s Annual Canada Day race drew its largest crowd in the 15 years it’s been around, with runners of all ages showing their Canadian pride.

Burlington’s Spencer Smith Park turned red and white Wednesday morning, as hundreds of runners and walkers celebrated Canada’s birthday by hitting the race course.

“This is our 15th year doing the Canada Day Race in Burlington, and we had 1,500 entrants — the largest Canada Day Race we’ve ever had,” said Kelly Arnott, the race organizer with VR PRO Inc.

From competitive runners chasing personal bests, to families pushing strollers and crossing the finish line with their kids, VR PRO’s Annual Canada Day Race welcomed all ages and abilities.

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“I’m a repeat finisher — winner — from last year, that was part of what motivated me to come back, because it’s a fun race,” said Thomas Tielen, who finished in first place on the 3 km race.

“We’ve got such a good group of people — our volunteers are amazing, everybody here works as a team, and it’s amazing,” said Mary Jane Bohren, a race volunteer.

While Canadian pride was top of mind for racers, so was the heat.

Whether participants are running the 1km, 3km, or 5km race, everyone agrees: the spray of water that greets them at the finish line is very necessary.

“As I was running I kept eyeing the lake, thinking ‘I need to jump in,’ — I couldn’t, we couldn’t, but it was just mind over matter right,” said CHCH News weather specialist and race participant Shelly Marriage.

WATCH MORE: Canadian pride strong, lower among youth ahead of Canada Day: report

“It’s really hot, but that’s okay, everyone had a lot of fun,” said CHCH News Anchor Matt Ingram, who also ran in the Canada Day Race.

Luckily, race organizers had a misting hose and cold towels to keep everyone cool, and paramedics were also on standby.

“I spoke to EMS (Emergency Medical Services), the deputy, and he suggested adding another water station, which we did,” said Arnott.

Spencer Smith Park will be transformed Wednesday night into a viewing area for fireworks to end Canada Day with a bang.

READ MORE: What’s open and closed on Canada Day in Hamilton, Halton, Niagara regions