Runners prepare for longer Around the Bay Road Race

We are just a week away from Hamilton’s Around the Bay Road Race.

More than 8500 runners will hit up the course this year and for the first time, it will start and finish from Tim Horton’s Field.

The race has traditionally started and ended at First Ontario Centre, but because of renovations this year the race will have a new home, Tim Horton’s Field in the east end.

“It’s our first year at Tim Horton’s Field, so we are a little nervous but at the same time excited, this is a brand new opportunity to add some fresh life into a race that’s 130 years old,” Race Director Anna Lewis says.

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

Because of the new route, the course is 4 km longer this year, instead of the traditional 30 km.

While runners from all over the world will be taking part next Sunday, Hamilton will benefit.

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation has been a charity partner since 2005, and in that time, it has raised millions to support patient care and research at the hospital.

“Over the past 20 years, 5.1 million has been raised to support things like robotic surgery, a CT suite to the ER, and this year all funds raised will go toward renewing our ER at the Carlton Campus,” Carrie Trembinski says.

For all the race details including the road closures next Sunday, you can visit bayrace.com