Thousands set to hit the pavement for 132nd Around the Bay Road Race

Thousands of runners will loop around the Hamilton Harbour tomorrow for the 132nd rendition of the Around the Bay Road Race.

It was the last day for runners to pick up their packets ahead of tomorrow’s Around the Bay Road Race. Nearly 10,000 people are expected to hit the pavement from near and far.

“We’re gonna be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary running 30 kilometres in our hometown Hamilton,” said one participant.

They are all running with a purpose — to fundraise for St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation.

Leanne, a registered nurse at St. Joe’s, is participating in the race tomorrow with her daughters.

“I think it’s quite inspiring. It makes me super happy. I’ve been very active and involved with the Around the Bay race for the past 13 years, and it just gives you that amazing community feeling,” Leanne said.

Of course, it is the volunteers who make it all happen every year.

“They probably started two months ago for next year. It takes a village. It takes well over a year to do this,” said volunteer Lee Wilson.

WATCH MORE: What to know about the Around the Bay Road Race

Anna Lewis, the race director, credited the team’s dedication to the city.

“The committee is awesome. They’re a volunteer committee and they are so passionate. I think they live, breathe Hamilton and they live, breathe this race. And it just shows in everything that they do,” Lewis said.

The event also relies on many community partners, such as Hamilton-based brewery Collective Arts.

“It’s such a big part of the Hamilton history and the Hamilton community. This is, I think, the 132nd Around the Bay race in its history — the longest-running road race in North America. And the fact that that’s here in Hamilton is something really special,” said Corey Helie-Masters, vice president of sales for Collective Arts.

There are multiple starting points for the five, 10, 15 and 30-kilometre races, with the 30k being the only one to cross the Skyway. The 5k route will take runners to Pier 4 and around Bayfront Park.

This year, the finish line for all four heats is on the Waterfront Trail at Pier 8. Some cloud coverage is expected tomorrow morning which runners say will make for ideal conditions.

“It seems to be good weather, at the very least. It’s not gonna be too sunny, not too hot, so it’ll be nice to have good weather while we’re hitting the hills in Burlington,” one runner noted.

Lewis agreed that the temperature is key.

“You get quite warm when you’re running, especially the 30k, so you kind of need the cooler weather to keep you level,” said Lewis.

For more information on road closures click here. Information on parking options can also be found on the Around the Bay Road Race website.

WATCH MORE: What runners and supporters need to know about Hamilton’s Around the Bay Road Race