Welcome to the first edition of Urban Trail Connections! Unsanctioned, transit accessible, manually timed, solo or not, fast or slow, win a prize but not for finishing first, dance your butt off, or chill and listen to the tunes. The routes will take you through trails, green spaces, along sidewalks and paths, and it will require some planning, not too much planning, but a little.

The routes will be provided by email at least 48 hours prior to the event. Follow the instructions to win one of 8 Ciele caps! Then join us at Casbah where we're having a private RUNNING INDUSTRY DANCE PARTY. Tickets are included with your registration and you will also receive a drink ticket to hydrate or libate.

This is an unsanctioned event, so you are responsible for your own safety. We will provide sweeps to make sure nobody is left on the course. We will be prepared in case of an emergency, but you are assuming all risk, as if you were out for any other run. Be safe, but have fun!

If the registration fees are a barrier for you, please reach out. We will ensure all who want to participate have the opportunity to do so.

Rules & Event Details

1. A light or a headlamp is required and we recommend 200 or more lumens.

2. Bring your own water bottle to refill. We will have water, but not cups.

3. Leave no trace! Zero tolerance for litter on the trails.

4. This event is unsanctioned, you are taking on all of the risk. But we will do everything we can to make it a safe and fun experience!

5. Cut off time - For safety reasons the cut off time for all distances will be 7:30 pm. If you think it may be challenging to complete your route in that time, you’re welcome to adjust to a shorter distance or modify the 21.1 km by omitting the 2nd loop. If you modify you will need to notify us via the emergency number provided on race day. No one will be left out there alone.

Start time updates! See routes below.

We suggest you download the routes from Strava ahead of time. We have done our best to mark the trails but some navigation may be required, especially for the 21.1 km route - see links with routes below.

This is intended to be a fun and positive time exploring Hamilton’s unique urban connection to green spaces. Go at your own pace, help each other out, and cheer each other on!

You will find white reflective tape on the trees along the routes, fairly spread out. At any critical junction, we will have additional reflective signage. Watch for corrugated plastic arrows and rectangles, usually staked in the ground.

Toilets: There will not be any porta potties at the event, but the Fortinos is very close by and you can use their facilities before or after. Plus it will be hella dark in the woods, so…

We will be prepared with a first aid kit, a thermal foil blanket, water, and an emergency number that you can call if you need assistance with directions.

Aid Stations: Xact energy bars and water will be available at the 21.1km distance aid station (6.75km & 13.25km) as well as at the start/finish line. Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic beer will be waiting for you at the finish line too!

Ciele hats and Xact merch will be awarded during the after party! You must attend the party to be eligible for a prize.

Location & Parking

Event Start/Finish Line

All routes will begin at the Rail Trail Parking Lot off Ofield Rd (west of Ewen Rd). There is limited parking available at this lot. There is some on-street parking available on Ofield Rd. Or we recommend that you park at the Crunch Fitness Hamilton West parking lot on Main St W. At the south end of the lot, you can get onto the rail trail which will take you to the path that leads to the start (we’ll have a sign or person to point you in the right direction!).

If you’re taking the HSR, the number 5 and number 10 buses stop directly in front of Crunch Fitness - get off at the Main at Osler stop.

After-Party

Casbah

306 King St W, Hamilton, ON

Doors open at 8pm and close at 2am. You’ll have time to eat, shower and return, but this isn’t required! We’ll still crowd you on the dance floor if you show up sweaty and proud!

Casbah does not serve food so you will be responsible for feeding yourself between the event and the after party.

You will receive one drink ticket at the door when you enter. Cover is included with your registration.

The Routes

Spark 4’ish

Start time: 5:45pm

Out and back on groomed rail trail and approximately 1km of groomed dirt on Monarch Trail. It’s a little taste of trail running, and in the dark! We didn’t notice many, if any, roots or rocks to trip over, but you will need a headlamp and you will need to watch your step!

62m of elevation gain

Tricky spots:

1 – Transition from Rail Trail to Monarch Trail

• Exit the rail trail at 1.5km onto Lynden Ave

• Make an immediate left onto Little John Rd

• Make an immediate right onto Lynden Ave and into the trail

• This will be marked, but know it just in case the signs go missing
  
  

Strava Route - Spark 4'ish

Jolt 7’ish

Start: 5:15pm

This route is an out-and-back with a mix of rail trail and groomed dirt trail. More than half of this route is on Monarch Trail, turning back at the Precise Park Link Parking Lot when you reach the mailboxes. There will be a sign on or near the mailboxes letting you know that you’ve reached the turnaround. We didn’t notice many, if any, roots or rocks to trip over, but you will need a headlamp and you will need to watch your step!

There is no aid station on this route, but there will be water and Xact Energy bars at the start/finish line.

117m of elevation gain, which is a decent amount of hills in 7km. If you’re new to trail running, this will give you a little taste of dirt hill climbs. Hopefully you’ll be hooked!

Tricky spots:

1 – Transition from Rail Trail to Monarch Trail

• Exit the rail trail at 1.5km onto Lynden Ave

• Make an immediate left onto Little John Rd

• Make an immediate right onto Lynden Ave and into the trail

• This will be marked, but know it just in case the signs go missing

Strave Route - Jolt 7'ish

Enduro 21.1’ish

Start: 4:00pm

This one is designed for those who want a thrill and a challenge! It’s out, then a large loop, followed by a smaller loop, then back. It will begin in the light with a lot of it in the dark. The map is layered so it is a bit confusing to look at. You MUST read and understand the directions prior to heading out!

430m of elevation gain

There is a small amount of technical trail along the Bruce Trail as you complete the 1st and 2nd loops. It is on the final part of the loops as you pass Little Canterbury Falls. This is along a ledge so take it slow in the night and watch your step! The rest is all smooth and runnable.

Loop 1 is indicated in purple. It is a counter-clockwise loop that includes the Sulphur Springs Main Loop. Once you return to Monarch Trail, stay left and carry on and do Loop 2, the smaller loop which is indicated in yellow.

The aid station will be at the junction where you split off to do the large or small loop, you will pass them twice so they will be able to point you in the right direction. Just let them know which loop you are on.

Strava Route -- 21.1'ish



There are numerous tricky junctions on this route, so pay close attention to the arrows and tree markings. These are two that you should study prior to the event. These and other forks will be marked with signs, but it’s important that you know the route in case they are removed. We suggest saving the Strava route in the Strava app on your phone for reference.

Tricky spots:

1 – Transition from Rail Trail to Monarch Trail

• Exit the rail trail at 1.5km onto Lynden Ave

• Make an immediate left onto Little John Rd

• Make an immediate right onto Lynden Ave and into the trail

This will be marked, but know it just in case the signs go missing

2 – Sherman Falls – You will hear the waterfall when you near the falls.

• Exit the woods

• Turn left on Lion’s Club Rd

• Go up the hill 150m and turn right on Artaban Rd

• Go to the end of the parking lot and continue on the trail

• Approximately 25m down this trail and you arrive at Monarch Trail

• The first time you arrive back at Monarch Trail, stay left and continue on to do your 2nd loop

The 2nd time you arrive back at Monarch Trail, turn right and follow it back to the start



IMPORTANT: If you feel like this route requires too much navigation, the other option is to do the 7km route x3. We also think this is a fine option! You will get to experience some of the journey in the day and some of it in the night. If you change routes, please notify us before you head out. This means you will only have aid at the start line, which you would cross twice during the 21.1km.

Sponsors:

Ciele
Xact Nutrition
Athletic Brewing
VelowLaw

Stephanie Jette
Bethany Stief
Stephanie Verkoeyen
urbantrailconnections@gmail.com
289-808-2899