YMCA Charity 5K

Run Day

Saturday, September 28, 2024

9:00 am

Location

Downsview Park (Festival Terrace/Circuit Path)

15 Carl Hall Rd, North York, ON M3K 2E2

Downsview Park is located at the southeast corner of Keele Street and Sheppard Avenue West.

Parking

On-site parking is available off Carl Hall Road (lots D1 and D6) and Canuck Avenue (lot P1). Please note that spaces are limited.

Public Transit

The Park is accessible by Downsview Park GO/TTC Station, Sheppard West, and Finch West Station, as well as many other bus routes in the area including the 41, 84, 101, 106, and 108B.

Visit the TTC website for more information.

Route Details

This out and back, 5K route consists of one loop that follows the scenic, paved paths around Downsview Park. The start and finish line is located at the Festival Terrace/Circuit Path, which is also where the pre and post-run activities and festivities occur.

click to enlarge

Pre-Run Day Details

Run Kit Pick-up

Pre-Run Kit Pick-up Information and Details

• We strongly encourage you to pick up your run kit before run day to avoid run day line-ups and unnecessary stress.
• To pick up your run kit, you will need your bib number (which will be emailed to you during run week) and a piece of photo identification.
• If you are picking up a kit for a friend/friends, you will need their bib number (which will be emailed during run week) OR a copy of their confirmation email AND written authorization via email, text or direct message that you have permission to collect their kit on their behalf.

Location:
North York YMCA - 567 Sheppard Ave E, North York

Date and time:
Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27, 2024 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Run Day Kit Pick-up Information and Details

• Run Day Kit Pick-up is going to be very busy and line-ups are to be expected. Please allow adequate time to collect your kit and prepare for your run.
• To pick up your run kit, you will need your bib number (which will be emailed to you during run week) and a piece of photo identification.
• There will be NO run day registration.

Location:
At the Run Site at the Festival Terrace/Circuit Path at Downsview Park - 15 Carl Hall Rd, North York, ON M3K 2E2

Date and time:
Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 7:45 am to 8:45 am

Run Kit Policy

It is the responsibility of the participant to pick up their run kit at the North York YMCA or on Run Day. Run kits will not be mailed prior to or after the event. After the event has taken place, run kits will not be available.

Start Details

We will be utilizing a corral divided mass start.

You will be assigned a corral based on the estimated finishing time you provided during registration.

If you need to change your estimated finishing time, you may do so by logging in to your Participant Dashboard. The deadline to edit your registration data is Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

Walkers

Walkers are welcome! A walker is considered someone who will be walking 100% of the 5K, not running/walking. If you are planning on walking 100% of the distance, please select “wave/corral #4 - 35:01 minutes and over” minutes as your estimated finishing time. The finish line will remain open until 10:25 am. This allows everyone 75 minutes to complete the route, which is a 15:00 min/km.

Safety

For the safety of all participants, we regret that: scooters, inline skates, bicycles, skateboards and non-service dogs are not permitted in the YMCA Charity 5K.

Age Limitations

Children must be a minimum of 6 years old to be a registered participant. We ask that all children 12 years of age and under be accompanied by an adult. All registered participants will receive a bib, hat and a finisher medal.

Children under 6 years of age can be a part of the event if they are in a stroller or in a baby jogger. Children in strollers/joggers are free, however, as they are not registered participants, they will not receive a bib, run shirt or finisher medal.

Run Day Details

Run Day Schedule

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Baggage Check

Baggage check will open on run day at 7:45 am and is located in the Run Party Site at Downsview Park. You are strongly encouraged to drop off your bag as early as possible. Simply remove the baggage tag on the bottom of your bib, attach it to your bag and leave it with our volunteers in the secured area. The YMCA 5K is not responsible for items left behind, lost, or stolen.

Timing

Enfield Timing will be using the Bibtag timing system to time the event. With this technology, your timing chip or “Bibtag” is placed on the back of your run bib. It must be correctly worn on run day for your run time to be accurately captured.

Do not remove the Bibtag/foam spacer from your bib. Do not fold your bib or excessively bend or twist the Bibtag.

Wear your bib on your front. Do not wear it on your back, side, leg or arm. “NO BIB = NO TIME”

Results

Results will be posted on Enfield Timing

Water and Aid Stations

Water will be available at the Start/Finish Area and at the on-course water station

Medical And First-Aid

There will be a Medical Tent at the Start/Finish Area. Medical personnel will also be on bicycles along the route – from the Start line to the Finish line. Emergency Services may require access to the route in case of an emergency. We ask that you follow any EMS personnel instructions in case of an emergency to ensure that they are able to access the area as safely and quickly as possible.

Toilets

Will be located at the start and finish areas, and at the Water Station

Shuttle Bus Information

Round trip shuttle buses have been arranged for pick up and drop off at 2 YMCA GTA locations. Shuttle bus tickets can be purchased for those participating in the run as well as their family and friends, up to a maximum of 6 per participant.

Please be advised that due to space limitations on the school buses, only folding strollers will be permitted.

Shuttle bus tickets are available for purchase until Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

Schedule:

Pick-up time at ALL locations is 6:45 am. Please be on time to avoid missing your bus!

All buses are scheduled to arrive at Downsview Park by 8:00 am on Run Day.

Buses will depart Downsview Park at 11:15 am.

Locations:

Please select your pick up location during the registration process.

Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2V5

Mississauga YMCA, 325 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga, ON L5B 3R2

Fee:

$20, includes round trip transportation to and from Downsview Park, all taxes and processing fees

Parking

On-site parking is available off Carl Hall Road (lots D1 and D6) and Canuck Avenue (lot P1). Please note that spaces are limited.

Public Transit

The Park is accessible by Downsview Park GO/TTC Station, Sheppard West, and Finch West Station, as well as many other bus routes in the area including the 41, 84, 101, 106, and 108B.

Visit the TTC website for more information.

Each year, the YMCA welcomes thousands of children aged 4 to 15 from across the GTA to one of our many overnight or day camps to experience fun and friendship in the great outdoors. The learning, support and opportunities at camp help ignite their true potential to Shine On in all that they do year-round.

This year, we are aiming to raise $175,000 to send 500 more kids to camp. Through your generosity and efforts, we know we can do it!

We can’t thank you enough for helping us give kids across the GTA a chance to experience unforgettable adventures with nature as a backdrop. Your contributions will help our campers build life-long friendships and enduring memories.

We look forward to your participation on race day and your progress as you rally your fundraising supporters!

When you register for the YMCA Charity 5K you have the opportunity to make a donation and/or choose to fundraise in support of YMCA Camps.

As a THANK YOU for your fundraising efforts and in addition to feeling proud – we have great incentives!

We know that helping kids make memories at camp is awesome and might be all the reward that you need to get fundraising. But the more you raise, the more kids we can send to camp. So we’re excited to introduce the rewards you can earn for your extra efforts:

* please allow 6-8 weeks after fundraising ends for your registration fee reimbursement to appear on your credit card statement and to receive any fundraising incentives you have earned.

It's easy to get started! After you've registered for the YMCA Charity 5K, all that's left is to customize and share your fundraising page to let others know you are running AND raising important funds to help send kids to camp.

To customize your page:

1. Sign In to Race Roster if not yet logged in (top right)
2. Click Edit fundraising page below the profile image on the right hand side
3. In the modal that pops open, you are able to customize your specific fundraising goal, write a personal message, upload a photo
4. Be sure to scroll down and click Save to update your new customized fundraising information

Your fundraising page also has preset buttons for social sharing. Simply click to spread the word!

Have a question?

We've created an extensive FAQ page that we hope will answer your question.