Honda Waterfront Run returns to Barrie after three-year hiatus
After a three-year pandemic-forced pause, a popular outdoor run returned to Barrie, shutting down much of the city's downtown core.
The Honda Waterfront Run was last held in June of 2019. This year participants laced up for either a half-marathon, 10km or 5km run along Kempenfelt Bay. Organizers say the weather for its return could not have been better.
"It's so amazing. We have had some rainy days here in the past," says Jason Vurma, the president of Multisport Canada, the producers of the Honda-sponsored run. "I can very distinctly remember starting some races in a raincoat. But I mean, the sun's just coming out even more now. It's going to be a great day; low humidity, low temperatures, so an absolutely perfect day for a run."
This year there were approximately 1250 registered runners. While that's down from the typical 1500 registrants, Vurma says they wanted a phased return after a few years with no run.
"Coming back from the pandemic, we thought let's just keep it simple, keep it manageable," Vurma says. "There were a few people that were a little late to the party that want to mark June 4, 2023, in their calendar for the next iteration of the Honda Waterfront Run!"
The run was made possible thanks to multiple community partners coming together. Various volunteer partners included the Barrie Trojans, the Kempets Gymnasts and the Barrie Sailing Club, the City of Barrie, city police and other groups.
"Gilda's Club, Seasons Center for Grieving Children, Autism Ontario are going to be down here to help us with our kids run a little bit later, and Candlelighters of Simcoe County are helping with one of our water stations," says Vurma. "So gluing all of those partners together is what makes it fun. It's a lot of work; there's no doubt about that. But it's what we love to do, so we wouldn't want to be anywhere else on a Sunday morning in June."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.