The Burlington Runners Club (BRC) is pleased to present the return of its most popular events — live and in-person — Sunday, Jan. 22 starting at 8:30 a.m.
Except for a couple of years, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Robbie Burns Race has been held in Burlington over 40 years. Steve Smith, a co-director of this year’s race, is excited to help bring the running event back. Smith, who has been a BRC member for only four years, ironically only ran in the Robbie Burns once – before he became a member.
“Because of the race’s namesake,” explains Smith, “there is a definite Scottish theme to the race. We normally have the race on the weekend closest to Robbie Burns Day (Jan. 25).”
The event includes prizes for those who show up in the best costume. Typically, there’s a Pipe & Drum band to kick things off. Post- race, participants can partake of some Scottish foods (oatmeal). Alas, no scotch tasting!
The race begins downtown at 8:30 but runners are encouraged to arrive any time after 7 a.m. at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, where they can keep warm inside until the race starts. The 8 km route starts on Locust Street, jogs over to Brant Street and continues on up to Fairview, over to Guelph Line and then back down to Lakeshore Road – community members are welcome to cheer the runners along.
Smith notes that the Robbie Burns Race includes runners of all skill levels. “In fact, we are also open to walkers,” says Smith. “About 10 per cent of our field are walkers. There are prizes for the fastest walkers and they have the same options and benefits as the other racers. Certainly, there’s also a lot of competition for those who are interested in a higher level, however, we try to appeal to a wide range of participants for this race and all year long.”
Donations will be collected at the Robbie Burns race and will go to two organizations, Fit Active Beautiful Foundation that encourages young women to use athletics to enhance their lives and the Burlington Track & Field Club.
Registration has been ongoing since November. For those still interested in signing up, the cost is $75.
For more information about the Burlington Runners Club, visit their website.
The Burlington Runners Club is a community-based, volunteer-run organization that encourages runners to join in their informal runs throughout the year and participate in their three formal race events – the Robbie Burns Race, the Good Friday Race (postponed this year until 2024), and the Sulphur Springs Trail
Race (in May). Yearly membership is $30.
