1) Race Location and Start:
The race will take place at the Crawford Lake Conservation Area located at 3115 Conservation Road, Milton, ON L9T 2X3
Saturday, December 6, 2025:
7:00 AM - Registration & Race Kit Pickup
8:15 AM - 21K Start
8:30 AM - 10K Start
8:45 AM - 5K Start
10:00 AM - 5K Awards Ceremony
10:30 AM - 10K Awards Ceremony
11:00 AM - 21K Award Ceremony
2) Race Kit Pick Up:
You can pick-up your race kit at the MEC Burlington store located at 1030 Brant Street, Burlington, ON L7R 3S8 on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, race kits can also be picked up before your event starting at 7:00 AM on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
If you are able, we highly recommend stopping by the MEC Burlington Store! We can answer any questions that you may have and it certainly makes race morning a little less stressful for you.
If you are picking up your kit on race day, we recommend arriving 30-45 minutes early. The Conservation Area gate will open at 6:30 AM.
3) Race Course:
The race features a stunning 5km loop through Crawford Lake Conservation Area, showcasing the best of its natural beauty. The course includes wide-open sections of the main trail, a picturesque wooden boardwalk, and a technical stretch of the Bruce Trail along the canyon wall. Runners will encounter about 2km of rocky, and root-filled sections that require extra care, especially if conditions are wet. We strongly recommend wearing trail shoes to navigate these areas safely. The course will be clearly marked with flags, directional arrows, and marshals at key intersections to keep you on track.
4) Cupless:
ALL of our events are cupless. Please bring a collapsible cup, water bottle, or hydration pack. We will have Xact hydration and water tanks to dispense into your container.
5) Parking/Spectators:
Parking is available at this event. Entry to the conservation area is included with your race registration. We do encourage participants to carpool. If you have family members or friends that you can carpool with, PLEASE DO! We would really appreciate it.
Spectators are definitely allowed to cheer on the runners, however, they need to arrive in the same vehicle as the participant. Spectators will also have to pay to enter the park (we are covering the cost for the participants). We are happy to help direct spectators to the key attractions of the Crawford Lake area including long houses, wooden sculptures, as well as the lake itself. We ask spectators to stay off the wooden boardwalk during the race!
6) Merchandise:
Your race entry comes with a FREE Race Tee! We do have STAC Hamilton shirts, hoodies, and hats. First come, first served. Cash is the fastest but you can also E-transfer.
7) Facilities
We will have access to the conservation centre, and washrooms will be available for participants. However, There are no washroom facilities on the race course!
8) Aid Station
There will be only one main aid station at the start/finish. Participants running the 10km distance can refuel and hydrate before taking on loop number two.
9) Medals
We have medals for all participants!
10) Preview Runs
Preview runs around Crawford Lake will be available on weekends prior to the event. Mainly Saturday or Sunday mornings.
11) Race Photographs
STAC Hamilton is renowned for capturing the true atmosphere and energy of a trail race, and with photographers stationed throughout the course, make sure to bring your game face and cross that finish line to claim your medal!
12) Race Kit
With every race kit, participants will get a golden spike race shirt, Xact nutrition energy bar, and vouchers for local vendors for discounts and promotions.
13) Warming Station
Will we have space blankets, and participants can go inside of the building to warm up. All participants will have access to The Gathering Place building to stay warm as needed.
14) Chip Timing
Your race will be timed and results will be posted on our website which we will send out to participants and post on our social media for all to see.
15) Nutrition & Hydration from our Xact Nutrition
Every participant will get a Xact Energy Fruit Bar in their race kit and at our aid station there will be water and Xact Electrolytes in a water dispenser. We are a cupless race, so please bring your own water vessel or you can purchase a STAC collapsible cup at the merch table.
16) Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering opportunities at the race, please email hello@stachamilton.ca
17) First Aid:
We will have medical on-site and on the course providing any first aid that is needed from St Johns Ambulance
18) Refunds / Transfers
There is no refund for our events. All proceeds go towards our youth programs for the downtown Hamilton communities, and we appreciate your love and support! We do encourage you to sell and transfer your bib on our Facebook group and on Instagram where we have the most engagement. Please make sure to tag @stactrailevents and @steeltownathleticclub so we can share it within the community to help you with the transfer.
