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10K, 5K, Kids 1 Mile, & Kids Fun Run

September 8, 2024

Special thanks to our 2024 photographers –
Katrina @caught_inn_motion / Colleen @colleenpollackphotography

The race that has it all!

Come join us on the Island for an unforgettable family race experience!

Both the 5K and the 10K distances follow a scenic route on Centre Island and are flat all the way – great for your next PB, or for first timers!

This event is designed to be family-friendly, with special races tailored for the little ones. Afterwards, we invite you to join us for a delightful picnic, and here’s the best part: lunch is on us! So gather your loved ones and enjoy a fantastic day on the Island with us. We can’t wait to see you there!

Race Details

All races start & finish on Centre Island.

All participants (kids races and 5K/10K) will receive a medal and a shirt. Also…

Join us for a picnic! As a participant, you’ll automatically receive a BBQ ticket for your choice of a beef or veggie burger (or hot dog), along with cookies, fruit, and a refreshing drink. Your race bib will serve as your ticket!

Additional BBQ tickets will be available for spectators for $12 + HST each.

Please note: we strongly recommend purchasing your ferry ticket(s) ahead of time. They can be purchased online here.

Don’t want to take the ferry? Pirate Taxi has extended a special rate for Island Run participants and volunteers. Please see details below.

Free photo booth services for the Longboat Toronto Island Run are being provided by Imagica – Events Reimagined.

RACE CATEGORIES
Male/Female – top 3 finishers
(Under 20, 20-24, 25-29, 30–34, 35-39, 40–44, 45-49, 50–54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+)

Non-binary – top 3 finishers 40+ and under 40
Athena/Clydesdale – top 3 finishers 40+ and under 40 for both categories


ENTRY FEE
Early bird pricing starts at $45 plus HST + Race Roster fees (or $25+ HST for kids races)

Bib Pick Up

Once again bib pick up will be hosted by The Runners Shop – located at 374 Bloor St West.

Pick up hours:

Friday, September 6th 10:00am – 6:00pm

Saturday, September 7th 10:00am – 5:00pm

For your convenience, we strongly encourage that you pick up your race kit from The Runners Shop prior to race day.

2024 CHARITY PARTNERS

Longboat Roadrunners, through our signature event, the Toronto Island Race, is proud to partner once again with SchoolBOX North, an organization whose mission is ‘Making Education Possible’. 

SchoolBOX North partners with First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth leaders to ‘make education possible’ for kids in Indigenous communities across Canada. Current projects involve developing libraries, classrooms, and lunch programs for First Nations kids in Treaty #3 Ontario.

Native Canadian Centre of Toronto is a membership-based, charitable organization located in the heart of downtown Toronto. NCCT offers a wide range of programs and services based on Indigenous cultural traditions and teachings. Their mission statement is to empower the Indigenous community in Toronto by providing programs that support their spiritual, emotional, physical and mental well-being. The NCCT is Toronto’s oldest Indigenous community organization and one of the original Friendship Centres in Canada.

We are excited to bring the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre on board as our newest charity partner for 2023.

Founded in 1978, Toronto Council Fire provides counselling, material assistance and other direct services to First Nations people; including, but not limited to: promoting and employing Aboriginal people in the area of arts & culture, education, family, business and information technology; utilizing cultural teachings and language; promoting and supporting housing & shelter for Aboriginal people; investing in Aboriginal youth and seniors.


FAQs

I already registered but won’t be able to make it on race day. Can I get a refund?

Unfortunately, we will not be able to issue cancellations or refunds for the 2024 Island Race.

You may defer your entry to next year’s race or transfer your entry to another participant for 5K/10K only. We are unable to offer deferrals or transfers for kids races. Deferrals are valid for one year only.

Please contact communications@longboatroadrunners.com

Is there a time limit?

This year we will be implementing a 90 minute time limit. If you anticipate you will need more time to complete the 10 km distance, we recommend that you consider dropping down to the 5 km, as you will not be guaranteed to receive an official finishing time once our volunteers and the timing crew start to tear down the course/equipment. (Please plan to be at the starting line on time!)

Is same-day race kit pickup available?

We ask that you pick up your kit from The Runners Shop if possible. Same-day race kit pickup will be available on an extremely limited basis, as we will have a limited number of volunteers on the Island on race day to assist you. Please come early so you’re not rushed – we recommend that you plan accordingly and take the earliest possible ferry. The registration desk is located roughly a 10 minute walk from the Centre Island ferry dock.

Can I pick up someone else’s bib?

Yes, but please come prepared with their confirmation e-mail and/or bib number!

My kid is participating in the 1 km fun run. Will they also receive a bib?

All kids running in the 1 mile (timed) as well as the 1 km fun run (untimed) will receive a bib and a race shirt. As the 1 km fun run is not chip timed, they will not receive a unique bib number assignment.

Do you allow strollers?

Yes, we do permit strollers, however we ask that you start from the back for safety reasons. 

Do you allow dogs?

Your dog is welcome to run with you, however we ask that you start from the back for safety reasons. Dogs must remain leashed at all times.

Can I walk the 5K (or 10K)?

Absolutely! We recommend you choose the most appropriate distance based on the 90 minute cutoff. There is no designated walker category, nor awards for walkers.

Can I wear my earbuds/headphones during the run?

The use of headphones or earbuds is strongly discouraged. If you choose to wear headphones, please ensure that the volume is low so you can hear all announcements/instructions and remain aware of your surroundings, including other participants.

Are there water stations?

There will be water stations along the route (at the 3K & 7K markers for the 10K race and about 2K & 5K markers for the 5K race), along with the finish line & BBQ areas. 

How do I get an extra BBQ ticket for friends or family members who are not running?

Extra BBQ tickets for spectators/non-participants will be available online via Race Roster for $12 + HST each at the time of registration, while quantities last. If you know you will be coming to the Island with family members, we recommend that you purchase the extra tickets in advance. Extra BBQ tickets are non refundable and cannot be transferred or applied to next year’s event.

Please note that no additional BBQ tickets will be available for purchase on the Island.

Will there be somewhere to store my personal items on the Island?

Yes! We do have bag check available (located at the Centre Island pavilion). All you need to do is simply pin the detachable tag (from your bib) onto your bag before drop off.  Please leave any valuables at home.

Do you need volunteers?

Yes, we are always looking for friendly volunteers to assist our incredible race crew! All volunteers will receive a ferry ticket, BBQ ticket, and a race t-shirt.

As we are a non-profit organization, we can provide a record of time spent volunteering for any high school students in need of community service/volunteer hours.

If you would like to volunteer please contact gwhubbard@hotmail.com

What are the Athena & Clydesdale divisions?

North American triathlon and running organizations, particularly in the US, began offering weight divisions in the late 80s, in addition to the traditional gender, age and elite categories.

These weight divisions are called Athena for women and Clydesdale for men. Athena class typically welcomes women over 150 pounds, while Clydesdale is for men over 200 pounds. This is simply another way to compare results among similar athletes.

The Longboat Toronto Island Run is one of the first road races in Canada to incorporate these divisions. We aim to increase accessibility to participants of all backgrounds, and challenge the stigma associated with weight, which can have little correlation with fitness levels.

Registering under these new categories is completely optional and self-identifying – it’s up to each participant to determine whether you will race under gender/age, or gender/weight.

(However, you will not be able to compete in both age and weight categories.)

Under these new divisions, we will be offering 2 broad age categories – under 40 and 40 and over for both Athena and Clydesdale.

Is there a sizing chart for the race shirts?

Adult –

Youth –

If I don’t want to take the ferry, is there another way to get to the Island?

We have negotiated a special offer with the Pirate Taxi water taxi service. They will open for us at 8:00 am on race day and are offering a discounted fare of $10.00 + HST (one way) to all runners, coaches, and volunteers. (Family, friends, and spectators would pay the regular fare of $13 + HST.)

Pirate Taxi has two docks: 375 Queen’s Quay West, between Spadina and Rees by HTO West Park (there is lots of parking at Queen’s Quay and Rees, almost across from the dock), and a dock at Harbourfront, 235 Queen’s Quay West on the boardwalk by the water, right beside the big black sailboat (called Kajama), with parking nearby.

No need to buy a ticket in advance, you can pay by cash, debit or credit card when you arrive at the dock.

If you have just 1-2 people in your group, go to the dock of your choice when you’re ready. If your group is 3 or more, Pirate Taxi strongly recommends that you book a time in advance by sending an email to events@piratetaxi.ca, with the following details:

  • Contact name
  • The number of passengers in your group (if more than just you)
  • The time you will arrive at our dock
  • Which of our 2 docks you will be coming to

Bikes, wagons and dogs can be brought on board at no extra charge. 

For the return trip, if you would like Pirate Taxi to bring you back to the city, just come to the water taxi dock (beside the city ferry dock) whenever you’re ready, get on a Pirate Taxi and we’ll bring you back. The same discounted $10 + HST fare will be extended to race participants.

Please book through email, but feel free to call (289) 499-1106 with any questions or visit piratetaxi.ca

Check out our amazing partners:


The Longboat Toronto Island Run is an Athletics Ontario sanctioned race.

Athletics Ontario is Ontario’s governing body for the sport of Athletics which includes: Track & Field, Cross Country, Racewalking, in addition to Road and Mountain/Ultra/Trail running.  They offer a large variety of programming and resources from grassroot youth track & field, cross country, coach & official training, clubs, training groups, and running race organization membership, with the ultimate vision and mission of supporting and fostering a continued growth in participation in our sport of Athletics. 

If you would like to be included in the Trillium Running Series as an Athletics Ontario member (which is also an Athletics Canada membership), please register here for a Road & Trail membership. 


Want to train for the race?

Then head on over to the Longboat Roadrunners page and come run with us!

We now offer a family membership for 2 adults & up to 2 children/youth living in the same household for a discounted price.

Contact Longboat Roadrunners

Email us at communications@longboatroadrunners.com