Hamilton’s historic long-distance road race to go virtual in 2021
Published December 10, 2020 at 8:07 am
Organizers of Hamilton’s Around the Bay announced this week that the oldest North American 30k road race will go virtual in 2021.
“As we move toward 2021, there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel but we still must proceed with caution and care,” a notice posted to the race’s website Wednesday (Dec. 8) said.
“Due to the continued uncertainty of mass participation events, the 2021 Around the Bay Road Race will be VIRTUAL.”
In September, after months of uncertainty due to the pandemic, the 2020 version of the Around the Bay — which would have been the race’s 126th year — was officially cancelled. The event was initially slated to be held March 29, 2020 but was postponed until November.
In 2019, the race brought 10,000 runners and thousands of spectators to the course, which begins in Hamilton’s downtown core.
The dates for 2021 are March 25 to April 25 and details about the format of the virtual event are forthcoming.
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In September, when the race was cancelled, organizers said they could not issue refunds to runners who had registered for the 2020 race because race expenses had already been paid.
At the time, those who had registered already were informed that they could choose to either defer until 2021, defer until 2022, or request a 2020 medal and Around the Bay shirt.
“An email was sent to 2020 registrants with updated registration options,” Wednesday’s notice said.
“New registrations for the 2021 Around the Bay Virtual Race will open in the New Year.”
For more information on the virtual edition of the Around the Bay race, visit the event’s website.
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