Name: Murphy’s Mission
Start: 2025-11-08T09:00:00-05:00
Location: Christie Lake Conservation Area, Ontario 5, Dundas, ON, Canada

Join us on November 8, 2025, at Christie Lake Conservation Area for a fun and inclusive run with options for everyone! Choose between a Canicross (run with your dog) or a Human-Only run. Distances include 5K and 10K—the 10K will complete the approximately 5km loop twice. There's also a walk-with-dog option for a more relaxed pace. The course features grass, gravel, flat and rolling hills, on double-track terrain, making it suitable for all experience levels.

Whether you're running solo or with your four-legged friend, this event welcomes all fitness levels. There will swag bags for you and your dog and prizes for our top fundraiser and race winners in each category!

This event is held in honour of Murphy, Steeltown Canicross' first shelter dog that we took on a canicross group run. From there more than 70 dogs have been taken out on canicross runs every Saturday by Steeltown Canicross members.

Shadow (left), Wafer (middle), and Violet (right) are some of the shelter dogs from Hamilton Animal Services that Steeltown Canicross has taken out on their weekly run with them. Picture Credits: Beatrice Yui

Steeltown Canicross is a free, community-based run club located in Hamilton, Ontario. We’re a group of dog-loving humans who are “all go, no woah!”—passionate about hitting the trails with our canine teammates. Through the sport of canicross—running while harnessed to our dogs—we build fitness, trust, and connection, one stride at a time.

Our club is beginner-friendly and inclusive, welcoming handlers of all experience levels and dogs of all abilities, including those who are reactive. Whether you're new to running, new to dogs, or just looking for a fun, supportive crew to get outside with, you and your pup are welcome here.

Canicross is the sport of cross-country running with your dog. The runner wears a waist belt, the dog wears a specially designed harness, and the two are connected by a bungee line. Your dog runs in front, helping to pull you along the trail, creating a fun and team-oriented experience.

Originally developed as off-season training for sled dogs, canicross is now a popular sport for all breeds and fitness levels. It’s a great way to bond with your dog, enjoy the outdoors, and get active—together!

To participate in a canicross event, you’ll need the proper canicross gear following equipment to ensure safety and comfort for both you and your dog:

Canicross Belt – A padded waist belt that allows hands-free running and helps distribute pulling force safely.
Bungee Line – A 1.5–2 meter (5–6.5 feet) elastic line that connects you to your dog and absorbs shock while running.
Dog Harness – A properly fitted sport-specific or pulling harness (not a collar or restrictive harness) that allows full range of motion and doesn’t hinder your dog’s breathing or stride.

Standard leashes and collars are not permitted in the canicross event for safety reasons. If you're unsure whether your gear is suitable, feel free to contact us before race day or stop by the gear check area for guidance. Please note, the race organizers reserve the right to move you to the fun walk/ run if you do not have appropriate gear.

Yes, you can still participate in our 5K fun walk with your dog or if you choose to leave your dog behind you can run in the 5k or 10k Human only run. The 5k and 10k canicross categories are reserved for those that have appropriate canicross equipment to ensure the safey of the handler and dog.

Not sure what canicross gear to get? We recommend coming out to a Steeltown Canicross run a few weeks before race day so you can try out some of our tester gear. We have tester gear from Le Chien Blanc, Nahak, Zero DC, and Non-Stop Dogwear.

Murphy’s Journey: Murphy was the first Hamilton Animal Services dog we took to a Steeltown Canicross run, marking the beginning of Murphy’s Mission. Abandoned in a field, it took over two hours for animal services to bring him to safety, where he then waited for more than three months without any interest from potential adopters. But Murphy’s story took a wonderful turn. Through some social media magic highlighting his time with us on the trails, Murphy found his perfect family and a forever home. Murphy’s Mission is dedicated to giving other shelter dogs this same chance to shine and to find the love they deserve.

Proceeds from the Steeltown Canicross Murphy’s Mission Race go directly to Hamilton Animal Services (HAS) in support of their adoption program. While HAS receives city funding for core services like animal control and shelter operations, the adoption program—covering medical care, behavioral support, enrichment supplies, and outreach—relies on donations.

By participating in this race, you're helping provide second chances to animals in need and supporting the essential work of Hamilton’s municipal shelter. Thank you for being part of Murphy’s Mission!

Course Overview

The course is a scenic 5 km loop at Christie Lake Conservation Area. Participants registered in the 10 km category will complete two loops.
Expect a mix of grass, gravel, rolling hills, and double-track trails—perfect for both runners and canicross teams, with plenty of space for safe passing.
The event will be chip timed to ensure accurate results for all participants.

Event Location & Parking

We’ll be gathering at Beach Pavilion 2 in Christie Lake Conservation Area.
Parking is free for all participants and spectators.

Canicross Start Procedure

Canicross racers will start in small waves of 8 teams, leaving the start line in 1-minute intervals.
Your specific wave and start time will be announced and posted on your bibs. Please be ready near the starting line immediately after the previous wave departs. Teams will be spaced 6 feet apart within the chute for safety and comfort.

Registration & Race Kit Pick-Up

Race kit pick-up hours: 🕢 7:30 AM – 8:45 AM
On-site registration will be location under Beach Pavilion 2
If you're participating in a canicross category, please bring your gear with you for a pre-race gear check.

Refund & Bib Transfer Policy

No refund. We highly recommend purchasing registration insurance during sign-up.
If you're unable to race and didn’t purchase the insurance, you can still transfer your bib to another participant for a $5.00 fee via Race Roster.

Trail Running Etiquette

Maintain Distance: Always keep a minimum of 2 leash lengths from other teams during the run.
Leash Rule: All dogs must remain on leash at ALL times. Allowing your dog to be off-leash or at large is strictly prohibited. This rule ensures the safety of all participants and their dogs, prevents potential conflicts, and aligns with municipal by-laws and trail regulations.
No On-Leash Greetings: Avoid on-leash greetings at all times to keep your dog focused in “work mode” and prevent leash tangling, which can be a safety issue.
Reactive Dogs: Are welcome. We'll provide a yellow marker to help signal to others that your dog needs extra space. Additionally, the Canicross run categories will be released in waves to prevent bottle necking at the start and create more room at the starting line for reactive dogs.
Passing Etiquette: When passing other trail users and/or canicross teams, ensure you give the person ahead enough time to move over after announcing “ON YOUR LEFT/RIGHT”. If you’re being passed, slow down and move off to the side of the trail. Hold on to your dog’s collar to prevent them from lunging at the passing team. If you're passing someone with a yellow marker identifying that their dog is reactive, please make sure to pull your dog to the side and give them space while passing.
Poop and Scoop: Please make sure to pick up after your dog both on the course and off the course!
Be Mindful of Pairings: If you’re running with two dogs, ensure they are well-matched in size, speed, and endurance. This ensures enjoyment and safety for both dogs.

We first met Eric back in 2024 at one of his wild and unforgettable Crazy Cat Adventure races — Polar Paws. What a way to kick things off! Fast forward to 2025, and we had seven Steeltown Canicross members out there racing in the snow. And three of our members manage to take the podium!

Behind the scenes, Eric has been an incredible support to our team. When we decided to host our own event, he was right there to guide us through the process — permits, logistics, planning, all of it. And let’s be honest: it’s no small task. Without his help, we would’ve been totally overwhelmed. His generosity with his time, knowledge, and encouragement truly made all the difference.

For those who don’t know, Eric’s been coaching athletes since 2006 through his business, Limitless Endurance. He’s a certified cycling instructor, an NCCP-trained coach, and works with everyone from beginners to ultra-endurance athletes. And somehow, on top of all that, he also runs Crazy Cat Adventures — a race series that’s all about embracing the wild side of movement, having fun, and building a community that loves getting outside as much as we do.

Eric, thank you for being such a big part of our journey. Your energy, passion, and down-to-earth approach to sport and adventure is exactly what makes this community so special. We’re lucky to know you, and even luckier to race with you.

With heartfelt thanks,
The Steeltown Canicross Team