Race Information
| Race | 8K | 5K |
|---|---|---|
| Start Time | 9:00 am | 9:15 am |
| Distance | 8 km | 5 km |
Entry Fee includes
- PUMA running hat
- Exclusive finisher medal
- Personalized race bib, if registered by Tuesday, September 23, 2025
- Amazing on course aid stations
- A great post-race party; with snacks, samples and activities all provided by our sponsors
- A timed race with results provided by Sportstats
- Chance to support kids with cancer by supporting POGO
PUMA Running Hat
8K/5K Finisher Medal
2025 DESIGN COMING SOON!
Series Finisher Prize
All in-person and virtual participants that complete all 3 races in the 2025 PUMA Toronto Women’s Run Series are eligible to receive an exclusive Series Finisher prize.
In addition to the ever-important bragging rights that come with completing all 3 races in the 2025 PUMA Toronto Women’s Run Series, our previous Series Finishers have donned exclusive running hats, waist packs and water bottles. Stay tuned for more information as we review the best swag available for our 2025 Series Finishers!
Race Kit Pick-up
Pre-Race Kit Pick-up Information and Details:
- We strongly encourage you to pick up your race kit before race day to avoid race day line-ups and unnecessary stress.
- To pick up your race kit, you will need your bib number (which will be emailed to you during race week) and a piece of photo identification.
- If you are picking up a kit for a friend/friends, you will need their bib number (which will be emailed during race week) OR a copy of their confirmation email AND written authorization via email, text or direct message that you have permission to collect their kit on their behalf.
Location:
The Runner’s Shop
374 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1X2
Time:
Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Friday, October 3, 2025 from 11:00 am to 6:30 pm
Race Day Kit Pick-up Information and Details:
- Race Day Kit Pick-up is very busy and line-ups are to be expected. Please allow adequate time to collect your kit and prepare for your race.
- To pick up your race kit, you will need your bib number (which will be emailed to you during race week) and a piece of photo identification.
- There will be NO race day registration.
Location:
At the Race Site at Wilket Creek Park
1132 Leslie Street, Toronto, ON M3C 3L8
Time:
Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 7:45 am
Picking up for a Friend or Having a Friend Pick up for you:
- If you are picking up a kit for a friend/friends, you will need their bib number (which will be emailed during race week) OR a copy of their confirmation email AND written authorization via email, text or direct message that you have permission to collect their kit on their behalf.
Race Day Schedule
| 7:45 am | Race Site, Information Tent, Kit Pick-up, Baggage Check Open |
| 9:00 am | 8K Race START |
| 9:00 am | Wave #1 |
| 9:02 am | Wave #2 |
| 9:04 am | Wave #3 |
| 9:15 am | 5K Race START |
| 9:15 am | Wave #1 |
| 9:18 am | Wave #2 |
| 9:21 am | Wave #3 |
| 9:24 am | Wave #4 |
| 10:15 am | Awards Ceremony begins |
| 10:20 am | Course closes down |
Wave Start Details
To enable everyone to have the fastest and safest race possible, we will be utilizing a wave start for both distances.
You will be assigned to a corral/starting position based on the estimated finishing time you provided upon registration. If you need to change your estimated finishing time, you may do so by logging in to your Race Roster Participant Dashboard. The deadline to edit your registration data is Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
8k Wave Start:
| Wave Number | Estimated Finish Time | Corral/Start Position | Bib Colour | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8K – Wave #1 | under 50 minutes | Corral #1 | Red | 9:00 am |
| 8K – Wave #2 | 50:01 – 60:00 minutes | Corral #2 | Red | 9:02 am |
| 8K – Wave #3 | 60:01 minutes and over | Corral #3 | Red | 9:04 am |
5k Wave Start:
| Wave Number | Estimated Finish Time | Corral/Start Position | Bib Colour | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K – Wave #1 | under 27 minutes | Corral #1 | Yellow | 9:15 am |
| 5K – Wave #2 | 27:01 – 30:00 minutes | Corral #2 | Yellow | 9:18 am |
| 5K – Wave #3 | 30:01 – 35:00 minutes | Corral #3 | Yellow | 9:21 am |
| 5K – Wave #4 | 35:01 minutes and over | Corral #4 | Yellow | 9:24 am |
Course Description
Both the 8K and 5K routes follow the relatively flat, paved paths within the park system. The out and back routes are NOT closed to the public. Click here to see our route maps.
The RacePoint Interactive Map provides a comprehensive view of the route, including start/finish areas, aid stations, parking, cheer sites and more.
Course Restrictions
- Age Limits: All children must be registered in the race. The minimum age for participation in the 8K is 8 years old. For the 5K, the minimum age is 6 years old. Anyone under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered in the race.
- Safety: For safety reasons, strollers, baby joggers, bikes, inline skates, skateboards and dogs are NOT allowed.
- Wheelchairs: Our course follows the paved park paths within Sunnybrook Park. However, some of these narrow roads, bridges and pathways within the park system make the course suitable for runners and walkers only. It is for this reason that wheeled devices are not permitted in the 8K race. The 5K route, while on narrow pathways, is on a paved, flat and obstacle-free route. Wheelchairs are permitted on the 5K route. For the safety of all participants, 3-wheeled racing wheelchairs are not permitted on course.
Timing and Race Results
We will be using the MYLAPS BibTag Timing system at all of our races this season. With this technology your timing chip or BibTag is now placed on the back of your race bib. It must be correctly worn on race day for your race time to be accurately captured.
Important information:
- Do not remove the bibtag or foam spacer from your bib
- Your bib must be visible at all times on the route
- Do not fold your bib or excessively bend or twist the bibtag
- Wear your bib on your front. Do not wear it on your back, side, leg or arm
- Remember, it’s “No Bib = No Time!”
The time limit is 80 minutes for completing the 8K race before the finish line is dismantled.
Results will be posted immediately after the race at www.sportstats.ca
Hydration
All aid stations will have ESKA water and Gatorade.
Pre-race and Post-race:
Water and Gatorade will be available at the Start/Finish Line aid station
On Course:
Water will be provided at the aid stations located at 3 km and 6 km
Awards
- Awards are given to the first three women and first three non-binary overall winners and the top three women finishers per age group.
- Age group results are based on 5 year increments.
General Race Day Information
Finish Line Safety: Safety is our priority at all PUMA Toronto Women’s Run Series events. For that reason, and in response to participant feedback, children are not allowed to cross the finish line with their mother unless they are registered in the race. We have created this policy to ensure the safety of all participants, volunteers and fans. Allowing non-participants, including young children, to cross the finish line serves as a distraction to other finishers, poses a safety risk and disrupts our finish line operations. We know you want to celebrate this wonderful achievement of finishing the race with your children, but we ask you to do so only after you cross the finish line. Family and friends are encouraged to reunite with their athlete in the post-race area just beyond the finish line. Only athletes wearing a bib number will be allowed to cross the finish line and receive a medal.
Bag Check: Bag check opens on race day at 7:45 am. You are strongly encouraged to drop off your bag as early as possible. Use the removable baggage tag on your bib and attach it to your bag.
Porta Potties: Located at the start/finish area and at each hydration station on course.
Race Photographers: Our official race photographers, FinisherPix, will be on the course and at the finish line taking amazing race day photos. You will receive an email after the race with a link to all photos.
POGO Pledge Drop-off: Representatives from POGO will be at the POGO tent for pledge collection. You can drop off any funds you have at the tent.
Hotel Information: Click here for more details.
Getting to the Race Site
Main entrance to the race area at Wilket Creek Park is accessed via the main park entrance for Sunnybrook Park at 1132 Leslie Street, Toronto, ON, M3C 3L8.
1. Driving
The entrance to the park is at 1132 Leslie Street, Toronto, M3C 3L8. This is 100 m north of Eglinton Avenue on the west side of Leslie Street.
2. Public Transit – TTC, Uber, Lyft, Taxi
The TTC operates a 24-hour bus service along Eglinton Avenue East. Please visit www.ttc.ca for more information. On weekends, and therefore race morning, TTC service might be more intermittent than usual. You might consider taking an Uber, Lyft, or taxi to the start line or carpooling and then taking the TTC home.
Parking
Free parking is available in the limited lots within the park system and in the corporate offices along the east side of Leslie Street.
Click on the map thumbnail to view the various parking options on a full size map. The distances marked under each location indicate the approximate distance from the location to the race site.
Remember that 1 km can be walked in 10 to 12 minutes. If you move at a faster pace, this distance can be considered your run warm up.
We always advise that you arrive early and allow yourself LOTS OF TIME to walk to the race site.
Note: The park is NOT closed to traffic so please pay attention to parking marshals and follow their directions to the appropriate lots. Do NOT park illegally as you may receive a ticket. All roads and areas within the parking lots are subject to all City of Toronto parking by-laws.
Spectator Information
You can watch your family and friends as they start and finish the race at the start/finish line in the party site and along the first/last 500 m of the out-and-back route.
You are welcome to find a spot anywhere along the route that does not interfere with our participants, course marshals and/or cyclists. The park is not closed for the race and will be open to the public.
A few excellent viewing spots include:
1. Behind the former site of the Ontario Science Centre
Take Eglinton Avenue East to Don Mills Road, go south/right down to the lights at Gateway Blvd., turn right, park at bottom of hill and walk 50 m over to the paved path.
2. Within the Park, via Thorncliffe Park Blvd.
71-73 Thorncliffe Park Blvd – proceed down the steep hill into the parking lot (this route is very accessible)
3. At the Elevated Wetlands
425 Don Mills Road
Refreshments and food are very limited at the race site. Please plan accordingly by bringing beverages and snacks with you. There is lots of green space south of the start line where you can spread out a blanket, watch the race and cheer on the runners. Tim Horton’s, Starbucks and other retailers are approximately 3 km from the start/finish area on Eglinton Avenue East at Brentcliffe Road and on Don Mills Road, just south of the former site of the Ontario Science Centre.
Riding your bike to the park is another great way to see all the action. We do ask that you give the runners “right of way” along the path when appropriate.
Previous Race Results
Event Alert System
The PUMA Toronto Women’s Run series will be using a colour-coded Event Alert System (EAS) at this year’s event to communicate the status of course conditions to event staff and participants leading up to and on race day.
The levels range from Low GREEN to Moderate YELLOW to High RED to Extreme BLACK based on a variety of factors, including weather and event conditions. All event staff and participants should familiarize themselves with the Event Alert System colour indicators prior to the race, remain alert for directions from race officials, announcers and staff and take precautions to prepare for varying weather and event conditions on race day.
Event staff and participants should stay tuned to the current Event Alert System status announcements and signage at the Information tents in the Pre & Post-Race Areas and at the Water & Aid Stations on course on race day.
| Alert Level | Event Conditions | Recommended Actions |
| Extreme | Event Cancelled/Extreme and Dangerous | Participation stopped / Follow event official instructions |
| High | Potentially Dangerous | Slow down / Observe course changes / Follow event official instructions / Consider stopping |
| Moderate | Less than ideal | Slow down / Be prepared for worsening conditions |
| Low | Good Conditions | Enjoy the run / Be alert |
Athletics Ontario Sanctioned Event Certification
