Chilly Half Marathon and Frosty 5K Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Susan Y.
Stratford, CA

  (03-09-2011)

"I appreciate that there is a Walking Division with different coloured bibs. This was the one-year anniversary of my first 1/2 Marathon and although the weather was not as wonderful as it was last year, the race and organization are superb thanks to Kelly Arnott and VRPro. She takes a PERSONAL interest in people! I've been greeted personally by her both years, and on more than one occasion! Amazing.

Favourites: Pasta Dinner at Paradiso Restaurant--great food and service and speakers are wonderful. Especially good if you've come alone to the race since you can just find a spot, sit down, and meet new friends who you can wave at the next day at the race! Waterfront Hotel is the official host hotel and it's a superb location so that issues like porta-potties become non-issues!

Downtown Burlington (Ontario) is a splendid place to visit with lots of excellent restaurants and wonderful, unique shops. It is literally on the waterfront, although the weather this year was a big grey and gloomy with rain followed by snow.

The MAYOR comes to the Pasta Dinner welcoming the 4500 people to Burlington--they APPRECIATE the crowds. The route, through an up-scale neighbourhood, is great for house/neighbourhood gawkers like me. Love seeing the beautiful homes and wonderful landscaping along with a view of Lake Ontario at the frequent open spaces along the waterfront.

I always feel exceptionally safe with police officers managing cars (route is closed, but people need to access their homes). Last year I left a variety of very expensive running clothes along the route since the temperature was 11 degrees and I had been training in -12 degree weather the weekend before. I was able to pick up my expensive items when I finished...had left them beside a bus stop--and they were still there! I was so hot I was willing to take the chance at them being stolen, but was obviously thrilled when they were not.

The "school groups" at each of the water stations were enthusiastic, kind, and friendly. I don't really care if there are crowds of people looking and yelling at me along the way, so the lack of cheering crowds didn't bother me a bit! The people who we delayed due to the race were friendly--smiled and waved--so I felt welcomed and, again, safe!

Great race and I'm definitely coming back next year. "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2011

Marlene S.
Toronto, OH

  (03-10-2010)

"In my opinion, the course change this year was a tremendous improvement. That being said, if it had been a cold & windy day, I might not feel the same way.

The long out and back on Lakeshore Boulevard was scenic, flat & fast!

Crowds were pretty bleak through most of the race, but plenty of finish line support.

"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2010

elaine r.
Toronto, NY

  (08-12-2009)

"It was freezing out and we were not allowed to stay in any of the tents. There wasn\'t much activities or entertainment during the race. I don\'t recall picking up any race day bags except for a t-shirt. The medal was pretty cool though. The best part of the chilly half is that after the marathon there\'s free Tim Horton\'s Chilly and Tim Hortons Coffee. Too bad I\'m vegetarian.

-Elaine
http://www.truerunning.com"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2005

Marlene S.
Toronto, OH

  (07-14-2009)

"I like this race because of the time of year. It's a flat course, but pretty boring.

Organization is okay... they advertise tents to keep warm but not nearly enough space for everyone and they kept kicking runners out of the EMPTY volunteer tent.

Ran out of bags promised to first 1500, no race kits and ran out of most shirt sizes half way through kit pick-up."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008