5/22- Read Before You Race: Important Instructions for Relay Day
Hi racers!
We're just a couple weeks out from the 2025 Oak Ridges Moraine Adventure Relay, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the trail! This message contains key information to help you prepare. Please read carefully and ensure your teammates and support crew do the same.
📍 Start Times & Arrival
Full Relay Start: Canoe leg begins at 8:00 AM sharp. Please arrive at the start no later than 7:20 AM to register and get on the water.
Half Relay Start: Planned start time is 8:45 AM, but may be delayed slightly to integrate with the full relay flow (we don’t want you to be lonely on the course!). Please be on-site by 8:20 AM.
Checkpoint start-times: This is a relay- generally, outgoing racers will depart when their inbound teammate arrives! However, in some cases, we may need to send out an outgoing racer before the incoming racer arrives in order to keep things progressing in a timely manner as we have a 10:45pm curfew at the finish line. With this in mind:
Please arrive at each checkpoint early so you are registered and ready to go when your incoming racer arrives
All outgoing racers for the final stage should be dropped off at Checkpoint 14 no later than 9pm
🔖 Bibs & Identification
Each team will have one bib provided at each checkpoint. This is to be worn by your designated racer for that stage; if your racer has already raced a section and has a bib on already, they can keep it on or swap it for a fresh one.
Runners: Standard pin-on bibs (pins provided)
Cyclists: 6x6 handlebar plate with tie wraps provided
Canoeists: Adhesive sticker. If you don’t want to stick it to your canoe, bring an alternate solution (e.g. a clear Ziploc taped to the gunwale) or secure it to the front of the lead paddler.
Runners and cyclists may have a “buddy” support person accompany them on the course, but only one official racer per leg may wear a bib. Both racers and buddies must sign the waiver acknowledgement at the checkpoint before heading out. If you are a buddy for a stage, but were a racer on a prior stage, you must remove your bib!
🚦 Safety & Course Rules
This is not a closed course. All racers must follow regular traffic laws and trail rules.
Cyclists yield to pedestrians
Everyone yields to horseback riders. Horses can startle easily, call out to the rider if you are approaching from any direction, and wait to proceed until directed by the rider.
Use caution at road crossings, abide by road rules and signage.
Stay on the marked trail and follow the flow of trail traffic as signed. Watch for ATVs and other off-road vehicles.
Your safety is your responsibility. We endeavour to make sure the trails are unobstructed and any hazards are handled, but we cannot ensure conditions along the whole course. This is a fun race, if anything feels unsafe, do not push it! Please stop and notify your team captain to get in touch with us.
Lighting is required after dark (head/body lamp, rear flasher) for runners and bikers. Flashers and general visibility-enhancing attire are encouraged anytime.
Cell phones are highly recommended for all racers to carry while on the course in case of injury, getting lost, or other emergencies, and for navigation! (see below)
🧭 Navigation and Maps
This document is your hub for all things navigational. This document provides the following for each stage:
New this year- GPS course maps! We highly recommend coming prepared with the GPS course map for your stage(s) on a smartphone or other GPS device. While GPS is not perfect, it is a very useful navigational aid. GPS course maps on Trailforks, Komoot, and Garmin are available in the document above. You can also download the raw GPX files for each stage here to be loaded to a device or platform of your choosing.
Don’t wait until race day to download! Cell service is unreliable in some areas.
Hard-copy course maps. These maps show instructions and warnings about different sections of the course, so please review them in advance!
Written descriptions and directions to help you navigate the course.
We do our best to place physical race-day lawn signs at key points on the course, but you cannot rely on signage alone. Weather or other actions outside of our control can lead to signage being redirected, misplaced, removed, or not placed at all.
📡 Live Tracking with Webscorer
We’ll be using Webscorer to enable live GPS location tracking for racers. This is optional, but it is 100% free to you and can be a huge help for your teammates, supporters, and our volunteers.
Download the Webscorer app, register for the race, and your location will appear on our live race map.
🚗 Driving, Parking & Checkpoint Tips
Complete driving and parking directions to each checkpoint are provided here. Please note the following key callouts:
Checkpoint 3: Parking is not available in the main Ganaraska Forest Centre lot. Please follow Traffic Controller directions to park along the west side of Cold Springs Camp Road, just outside the Forest Centre.
Checkpoint 5: Approach the checkpoint northbound on Darlington-Clarke Townline, or eastbound on Concession Rd 8 so as to not interfere with outbound runners.
Checkpoint 8: Parking fees will be waived at the large parking lot at Houston and 7th Concession, no need to pay for parking.
Checkpoint 11: Roadside set-up. Please don’t bring extra vehicles!
Checkpoint 12: Hollidge Tract will be busy with an event at the on-site Forest Centre. The Forest Centre will not be accessible, but there will be a porta-potty at our checkpoint. Parking may be very limited.
Checkpoint 13: Roadside set-up. You can pull over on Jesse Thomson, but please avoid congregating multiple vehicles at this checkpoint and be very mindful of racers starting down Jesse Thomson Rd.
Checkpoint 14: Very limited parking on Benville Cresent. Best practice is to drop off your runner at the checkpoint and return to pick up the arriving cyclist when called. Some parking is available on Bayview.
Checkpoint 15: With some tight parking at the previous checkpoints, this is the place to congregate, congratulate each other, and get your team photo taken. Park in the rear or front lot of the Aurora Family Leisure Complex and make your way down to the finish at the Lambert Willson Picnic Shelter.
⏱️ Timing Rules and Results
Elite teams- you are timed on your overall duration from the start-time to crossing the finish line…this means time spent in checkpoints counts! Slap your teammate’s hand and keep the race moving!
Recreational teams- you are only timed based on your time spent on the course…time in checkpoints is NOT included in your overall score.
If your team does not complete a stage, you will be assessed the day’s slowest time on that stage, plus an additional penalty of 10 minutes.
We will send out a link for viewing close-to-live results before race day, but results will not be official until confirmed by our timing team.
📦 What to Bring
Clothing for all conditions: warm layers for after dark, sun protection, rain gear, etc.
Drinks, snacks, and light meals (some checkpoints are remote)
Forward-facing light and rear-facing flasher for any stages after dusk
Bicycle repair kit/spare tires
Canoeists: pack valuables in waterproof bags and have a towel for drying the canoe bow before placing race identification stickers.
Plan ahead to get all your people and gear where they need to go!
⛵ Canoeists Only
Wear your approved PFD and have a complete safety kit (rope, bailer, whistle).
Use standard, lake-worthy recreational canoes and single-bladed paddles.
Bib number must be visible on the bow of the canoe or lead paddler.
Shout out your bib number to the volunteer on the dock as you approach!
🙋 Other Important Info
Follow all volunteer instructions- they are there to help and knowledgeable about the trails!
Some checkpoints may have racers entering/exiting on opposite sides of a road to avoid racers needing to cross the road while racing - be alert and follow volunteer instructions.
Do not leave valuables unattended at a checkpoint- our volunteers cannot be responsible for your items, and checkpoints will close down and pack up once all racers have cleared the stage ahead. If you leave gear behind, the checkpoint may be gone when you return.
🏕️ Need Accommodations Near the Start Line?
We recommend Adventure Bay Cottages in Gore’s Landing. https://advenbay.ca/
Can’t wait to see you out there! Let us know if you have any questions in the meantime.
The Oak Ridges Moraine Adventure Relay Team
relay@oakridgestrail.org
6/4- Stay Safe & Get Social! Relay Updates + Exciting Prize News
Hi everyone,
Race day is fast approaching and it’s looking like a great day for racing! Here are a few important updates and reminders to help you prepare:
👉 Did you miss our previous email?
Make sure to review the full race day guide, including bib pick-up, start times, parking instructions, and important safety notes. Read it here.
🌿 Be Weather-Ready & Watch for Poison Ivy
Remember, the trail is unpredictable! The forecast looks wonderful, but be prepared for all weather conditions, from sun to rain. Also, be extra cautious of poison ivy, which can be common along the trail. Wear long pants where appropriate, and know how to spot and avoid it!
🎁 Exciting Prize Update! Provided by SAIL!
We’re thrilled to announce that SAIL is our key prize sponsor this year! The fastest racer on each stage will win a $25 SAIL gift card, plus additional gift cards will be included in prize baskets for the winning teams in each division. Make sure to collect a 15% off coupon at the end of your stage as well!
📸 Get Social! #ORMRelay
We’d love to see your photos and stories! Tag your posts with #ORMRelay so fellow racers and supporters can follow along. After the event, all our official event photos (organized by checkpoint) will be available on the Relay’s Facebook page.
🛣️ Route Adjustment- Stage 13
Please note that we’ve made a route adjustment on Stage 13. We will bypass the section of the trail that runs behind the Stouffville Museum and through Vandorf Park. Instead, cyclists will follow Woodbine Avenue south from Slater’s Road, remaining on Woodbine all the way (720m) to Vandorf Sideroad to continue west on Vandorf. Maps and GPS courses are updated.
🔧 Important Course Note- Checkpoint 4
Please remember there is a gap in the course at Checkpoint 4- runners complete Stage 3 at Ganarska Forest P2 lot, and depart for Stage 4 from Beaucage Road. Make sure you have logistics sorted to get your people where they need to be! The clock will be stopped for Elite teams for this transition.
📊 Live Results
Looking for live (unofficial) results on race day? Check this link.
⛑️ Required Equipment- Don’t Forget!
Participants must have the following equipment:
Canoists: your own canoe, single-blade canoe paddles, approved life jackets/PFDs, and a safety kit (bailer, whistle or horn, and rope)
A headlamp/chest lamp and rear-facing red flasher for any segments run/cycled after dark
Ample snacks and hydration!
📡 Reminder! Live Tracking with Webscorer
We’ll be using Webscorer to enable live GPS location tracking for racers. This is optional, but it is 100% free to you and can be a huge help for your teammates, supporters, and our volunteers.
Download the Webscorer app, register for the race, and your location will appear on our live race map.
Stay safe, and see you on race day!
The Oak Ridges Moraine Adventure Relay Team
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