Patricia Clooney's Staging Area

This was a surprise marathon for me having just finished the Marine Corps Marathon exactly two weeks ago. I wasn’t running to PB but since I live in Toronto and this was a last chance for me to run a marathon close to home, I thought to give it a try as I love to run! Other than the rain and winds, this race won my heart. I loved the size and fabulous people of Hamilton. While there weren’t too many spectators along the course (the rain and wind may have had something to do with it), the ones that were there were truly incredible!! I’ve run Around the Bay earlier in the year and now I want to make both races must-do races for me. Registering was a breeze, race kit pick-up was straight forward and getting to the start line was easy peasy. Note that I live in Toronto (east side) and it took us approximately 50 minutes to arrive at where the race started. We parked the car and within 5 minutes we were in the complex where we could stay warm until the race began. I love that a race that’s smaller compared to others I have done (New York City, Chicago, Washington), doesn’t sacrifice on quality. Not having to worry about parking, line-ups, getting around was a nice change. The course is pretty great…few rolling hills at the beginning were’t challenging at all, a number of long stretches, some downhill and few turns. The only part I found challenging (not because of the terrain) was the final few kms when you had to leave the road and go back in the same direction that you just came from (while on a walking/bike path). Psychologically, this was not good but that’s my only small gripe. I love this race. Hamilton Road 2 Hope Race…you won me over.