AO Guidelines on Temperature at Race Start
If below -28*C (CANCEL)
If -23*C to -28*C (EXTREME CAUTION) • Recommend cancelling training or competition. • If proceeding, training or competition blocks should be kept short in duration. (e.g., no longer than 10km) • Participants to be dressed for extreme cold weather activities. • Increase first aid presence and warm drinks at finish of event.
If -18*C to -23*C (CAUTION) • Proceed with training or competition. • Participants to be dressed for extreme cold weather activities. • Increase first aid presence and warm drinks at finish of event.
If >-18*C • Proceed as usual.
BACK FOR A 28TH YEAR IN 2026
UNIVERSITY STADIUM, Waterloo, Ontario
A frosty favourite . . . Who really knows what the weather will be like for this race? Whether it's singlet weather or a Canadian blizzard or anything in between, it's a fun and competitive frosty favourite.
. . . regardless of what you're training for. This is positioned to be a winter "A" or "B" effort or a training race for other spring goals, such as the half, 30k, or full marathon.
Join us at the 28th annual Re-Fridgee-Eighter. Explore all historical results and records at results.runwaterloo.com.
Sunday February 8, 2026
9:00 a.m. Race Start for the 8 MI & 1.88K Fun Run
9:55 a.m. Race Start for the 5 KM
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
8 MI Closed
Online registration closed-
Entry is not refundable. Includes finisher medal; does not include tax. T-shirts are available for an additional cost, while supplies last.
-
$51.26
This price includes processing fee. Entry fee is $45. Taxes on the $45 are extra.
Feb 9 – Dec 16 -
$56.71
This price includes processing fee. Entry fee is $50. Taxes on the $50 are extra.
Dec 17 – Jan 4 -
$62.15
This price includes processing fee. Entry fee is $55. Taxes on the $55 are extra.
Jan 5 – Feb 3 -
$67.60
This price includes processing fee. Entry fee is $60. Taxes on the $60 are extra.
Feb 3 – Feb 8
-
5 KM Closed
Online registration closed-
Entry is not refundable. Includes finisher medal; does not include tax. T-shirts are available for an additional cost, while supplies last.
-
$40.37
This price includes processing fee. Entry fee is $35. Taxes on the $35 are extra.
Feb 9 – Dec 16 -
$45.82
This price includes processing fee. Entry fee is $40. Taxes on the $40 are extra.
Dec 17 – Jan 4 -
$51.26
This price includes processing fee. Entry fee is $45. Taxes on the $45 are extra.
Jan 5 – Feb 3 -
$56.71
This price includes processing fee. Entry fee is $50. Taxes on the $50 are extra.
Feb 3 – Feb 8
-
1.88km Fun Run Closed
Untimed. For any age range. Entry is not refundable. Includes finisher medal; does not include tax. T-shirts are available for an additional cost, while supplies last.
-
$13.14
This price includes processing fee. Entry fee is $10. Taxes on the $10 are extra.
Feb 9 - Feb 8
Kids' 200m Fun Run Closed
Untimed. Open to all, meant for kids aged 1-9. Entry is not refundable. Includes finisher medal; does not include tax. T-shirts are available for an additional cost, while supplies last. NOTE: All participants in any other event (8MI, 5K, 1.88K) may participate in this event with (chaperone) a registered child WITHOUT the need to register for it.
-
$13.14
This price includes processing fee. Entry fee is $10. Taxes on the $10 are extra.
Feb 9 - Feb 8
Course and venue maps - NEW FOR 2026
As with all Run Waterloo events, the timed race courses will be certified by Athletics Canada.
8 Mile | Strava Map | 3 identical counterclockwise loops
5k | Strava Map | 2 counterclockwise loops (slight variation between loops - start is offset)
1.88k | Strava Map | Untimed fun run
Venue Map
At University Stadium, you will find:
- Outdoor (Parking Lot):
- The start and finish lines. 8 MI starts and finishes in the same spot; 5k has a slightly different start line.
- Water and medical.
- Indoor (Gym):
- Pre-race: Info, Bibs, Bag Check.
- Post-race: Water, Food, Results, Bag Check.
- Washrooms
Arriving to the race / Parking:
- There are a variety of ways to get to the University Stadium including the GRT and carpooling.
- Parking is free on Sundays in various spots. Click these links to learn more about free parking in municipal lots (image), Lot E on Seagram Drive (website), and most white and gold permit lots on WLU campus (interactive map). We strongly recommend against trying to park at University Stadium - many spots are filled with mountains of snow, and cars will be blocked in for the entirety of the race. Don't do it.
Race swag
Our 2026 swag is being released in January, 2026.
- Every finisher receives a finisher medal: 8 mile, 5k, 1.88k, and 200m.
- Every participant has the option to purchase a technical t-shirt during registration, while supplies last.
- Stickers are available at kit pickup, one per person, under a first-come, first-served policy.
Run Waterloo is a non-profit that couldn't provide racing experiences without partners like these. Thank you!
Contact information
- Event contact
- Lloyd or Jordan Schmidt
- Phone
- 226-750-0017
Event schedule
- Fri, February 6, 2026 5:00 p.m. - Advance Bib Pickup at Runners' Choice Waterloo (until 7:00pm)
- Sat, February 7, 2026 11:00 a.m. - Advance Bib Pickup at Runners' Choice Waterloo (until 1:00pm)
- Sun, February 8, 2026 7:30 a.m. - 8 Mile & 1.88k Race Day Bit Pickup at University Stadium (until 8:45am)
- Sun, February 8, 2026 7:30 a.m. - 5k Race Day Bib Pickup at University Stadium (until 9:45am)
- Sun, February 8, 2026 7:30 a.m. - 200m Race Day Bit Pickup at University Stadium (until 11:05am)
- Sun, February 8, 2026 9:00 a.m. - Race Start - 8MI & 1.88K Fun Run
- Sun, February 8, 2026 9:30 a.m. - Post race in University Stadium gym (until 11:30am)
- Sun, February 8, 2026 9:55 a.m. - Race Start - 5 KM
- Sun, February 8, 2026 10:45 a.m. - Race Start - Kids' 200m
- Sun, February 8, 2026 12:00 p.m. - University Stadium gym booking ends
