By Kelly Burgess, Bruce Peninsula Press
As summer fades into fall, the visitors to Tobermory begin to dwindle as the off season begins. A small group of clever people in Tobermory thought of the idea of sport tourism as an off-season attraction to bring more people to the area. They approached the Peninsula Adventure Sports Association (PASA) known for organizing the Multisport Race and Groundhog Jog, for a sport event suggestion. The result of this collaboration was the creation of Tobermory Trail Race Weekend (TTRW).
The Sixth Annual Tobermory Trail Race Weekend races sold out very quickly when registrations opened back in the winter. The Trail Marathon and Half Marathon take place on Saturday, September 24. The Flowerpot Island 5K takes place on Sunday, September 25.
Tara Harpur, PASA president and Bob Miller, Race Director want people to know that if you missed the chance to participate in these races, there may be some last-minute spots available. Keep checking their website at www.tobermorytrail.com or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tobermorytrail for updates as they are hoping more race registrations become available.
Updates for the 2022 Race
Due to past Covid restrictions the race had to be cancelled in 2020 and modified to a loop-based course in 2021 in order to reduce passing and the need for bussing. This year marathon participants will be starting in Tobermory, and the half marathon will be starting at Cyprus Lake on the multipurpose trail with both ending in downtown Tobermory near the waterfront.
Due to logistical challenges and parking constraints, the relay is not a part of the Trail Race this year. According to Harpur, “The relay was always the last category to sell out and most often taken up by two person teams who would have preferred to run the half marathon solo. So, we are not doing the relay and have instead added those spaces to the half marathon race. We don’t feel that this will greatly impact the race and hope maybe to have another event with a shorter distance for those who find the half marathon intimidating.”
Proceeds and Special Thanks
The race beneficiaries are Tobermory Primary Place Daycare and Friends of Bruce District Parks with all other proceeds supporting outdoor sport on the Peninsula via PASA. The organizers would also like to thank their many sponsors for their generous support to this event: Blue Heron Cruises, Parks Canada, Bruce Anchor Cruises, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Grey Bruce Reality Inc. Brokerage, Peacock’s Tobermory Foodland, Peninsula Bruce Trail Club, Darryl Robins Consulting Inc., Fish and Chip Place, Escarpment Heights Motel, Tobermory Press Inc. and the Princess Hotel.
Harpur and Miller would also like to thank the many volunteers for all of their hard work and invite people to support the race. “We are hoping the public can come and volunteer on the course as a marshal or help at the finish line during race weekend. Alternatively, if you cannot volunteer, please still come and cheer on the racers along Little Tub Harbour/Bay Street. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit their website www.tobermorytrail.com and go to the support tab.
