Information for Residents & Spectators

As the Georgina Spring Fling and Georgina Marathon races continue to grow, we are faced with the challenge of managing the traffic along the course on Lake Drive. The area is evolving from a quiet, cottage community to a destination location. That comes with more people, more vehicles and an increased need for cooperation.

With a participation field of well over 1,500 runners in the marathon, half-marathon, 10k and 5k events, safety concerns for the runners and volunteers intersect with accessibility for residents and services.

We are working with the town of Georgina to continue to host a safe event while taking into consideration the needs and concerns of residents. Communication is absolutely key to ensuring that everyone involved understands the event scheduling and operations. Following is the most important information to be aware of. You can reach us at enduranceeventproductions@gmail.com

Join our virtual Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, April 15th from 7:00 - 8:00pm to speak with the race organizers and ask questions. The Google Meet link is https://calendar.app.google/5bppBYmRc3GatDaZ6

Race Weekend Schedule

Saturday, May 2nd - Noon - 6:00pm Athletes will be arriving at The Briars Resort & Spa at 55 Hedge Road to pick up their race kits. Many will be staying at local accommodations and visiting restaurants.

Saturday, May 2nd - 6:00pm through midnight - Set up will begin in De La Salle Park for the race start/finish area. Resident parking will be available as usual.

Overnight Saturday, May 2nd - Sunday, May 3rd - Lake Drive will be closed to west-bound traffic from approximately 3:00am between Brule Lakeway to the intersection at Varney Road/Metro Road by North Gwillimbury Park. Traffic cones, signage, timing mats and water stations will be put in place.

Race Day Schedule

Sunday, May 3rd

4:00am - race crew will complete set up in De La Salle Park5:30am - participants will begin arriving at De La Salle Park. Shuttle buses will be bringing participants from permitted lots at Sutton District High School and the ROC on Civic Centre Road. Expect Metro Road between Salvation Army Road and Dalton Road to be backed up as pre-paid athletes and shuttle buses arrive at De La Salle Park.

6:00am- Volunteers, course marshals and crew will be active along Lake Drive preparing for the runners, and in De La Salle Park. The resident parking lots at De La Salle Park will be permitted for pre-paid athlete parking and race staff/vendors/volunteers.

7:00am - our race announcer in De La Salle Park will begin providing directions to runners to assemble for the race start

7:30am - marathon and half-marathon runners will start

7:35am - 10k runners will start

7:40am - 5K runners will start

The course is out-and-back for all distances. Marathoners and half-marathoners will follow Lake Drive around North Gwillimbury Park and turn along Lake Drive North (parallel to Metro Road) for approximately 500m before turning around and returning along the same course to De La Salle Park. Marathoners will turn at the park and run the course a second time. 10k runners will turn at approximately Kennedy Road. 5K runners will turn at approximately Reed Farm Lane.

1:30pm - The course officially closes. Runners still on the course will be monitored and supported, however, they will be given the option of continuing as a 'pedestrian' as the cones and aid stations are removed.

2:30-3:00pm - Finish line and barriers are removed from De La Salle Park. Timing mats and signage are cleared from Lake Drive. Clean up crews will travel along Lake Drive to pick up any litter left behind from runners, such as cups, gel packs etc. This often takes until 4:00pm.

Use of Lake Drive

Runners will be encouraged to run westbound along the north side (lake side) of the road and return on the other half of that lane when heading eastbound. Aid stations will be located along Lake Drive - on either side of the westbound (north side) lane.

Marshals will be placed at each location where a road intersects with Lake Drive to guide runners back into the appropriate lane and ask vehicular traffic to wait for a gap to travel eastbound on Lake Drive. We will provide a phone number to reach our race director who will arrange for an escort for vehicles that will need to cross over the westbound/north lane to exit their homes. Residents who live on streets with access to Metro Road are asked to use that outlet instead of Lake Drive. Residents on streets with no access to Metro Road will be asked to wait for an escort to exit safely in the eastbound lane, and turn up the next street that has access to Metro Road.

The eastbound lane between Salvation Army Road and Brule Lakeway will be CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC in both directions from 5:00am through 4:00pm on race day. Emergency vehicles will be provided necessary access.

Spectators & Community

Distance running takes months of training. Our races are Boston Qualifiers, meaning individuals will be trying to run specific times to gain entry to the only marathon outside of the Olympics that requires a qualifying time. Many of our half-marathoners, 10k and 5k runners are taking on a new challenge or looking for a personal best time on the flat and scenic course. This is part of the draw for runners to participate in the Georgina race series.

Spectators and residents are encouraged to cheer runners on and give them the opportunity to reach their goals. If it's a particularly hot day - they might appreciate your water sprinkler or a spray from the hose to cool off. If Lake Simcoe decides to offer up wind and rain, they will appreciate your encouragement along a course that can feel pretty lonely - especially on that second loop.

Local radio station KCountry will be located at the aid station at North Gwillimbury Park to offer encouragement with music and cheering. We invite everyone to come out and join in the fun. No matter if you race, cheer or volunteer - let's make the Georgina races in 2026 the best ones yet!