The Around the Bay Road Race is happening in Hamilton this weekend, and with it comes several road closures throughout the city.

There are reportedly more than 8,000 people flocking to Hamilton to compete across all the race categories, including the 5K, 10K, 15K, and 30K races.

Due to construction and renovations in the city’s downtown core, the 30K race is being run on an altered route this year, resulting in the distance being extended by four kilometers.

Runners will cross the finish line on the turf of Tim Hortons Field, instead of finishing at FirstOntario Centre.

Many runners participating in the race on Sunday did not anticipate running more than 30 km for their first Around the Bay race.

“It’s longer than we used to” says Anna Lewis, an organizer of the Around the Bay race, “it’s a challenge but the Bay race has never been easy so we just wanted to ensure that everybody is on their toes.” 

This race will mark Paul Maltby’s 34th year on this track. Maltby jokes his favourite part about the race is finishing. 

“The start is really good the first half people will chat with you during the race and then the second half everyone is a little bit more tired there’s no more chatting we just suffer through till the end,” says Maltby.

This weekend the race will be a cold one, as CHCH weather specialist Shelly Marriage explains “it’s going to be cold so dress warm but the good news is it should be dry to start the morning for the race but very chilly,” with windchills ranging between -4C to -14C.

READ MORE: Around the Bay Road Race returns to Hamilton with big changes

The 34K race will start at the corner of Cannon Street East and Lottridge Street at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Runners will then go west to Birch Avenue, and north until Burlington Street, where they’ll turn east until they take the Woodward ramp to Beach Boulevard.

The route then takes competitors up to Eastport Drive, where they’ll exit on North Shore, and begin a westward stretch until turning south at Valley Inn Hill towards Dundurn Castle, before moving west again.

The following road closures will temporarily be in place on Sunday to allow for the safe passage of runners:

• Cannon Street from Gage Avenue to Lottridge Street, 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Cannon Street from Lottridge Street to Stirton Street, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Eastbound Burlington Street from Bay Street to Birch Avenue, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Bay Street from Stuart Street to Burlington Street, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Eastbound Nikola Tesla Boulevard from Birch Avenue to Parkdale Avenue, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Westbound Barton Street from Inchbury Street to Queen Street, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Westbound Stuart Street from Queen Street to Bay Street, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• North Shore Boulevard East on-ramp to the QEW Niagara
• QEW Niagara-bound off-ramp to Woodward Avenue, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• QEW Toronto-bound off-ramp to North Shore Boulevard East, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• North Shore Boulevard closed from QEW ramps to Plains Road

READ MORE: Runners prepare for longer Around the Bay Road Race

The westbound lane of North Shore Boulevard will be left open for emergency vehicles and resident access only, as through traffic is not permitted.

Around the Bay is raising funds for St. Joseph’s Healthcare to go towards renewing its Emergency Department.

The department reportedly serves more than 60,000 patients annually, and is starting to show signs of wear and tear after two decades of use.

St. Joe’s is on track to raise more than $350,000 for the Emergency Department renovation project.