We are looking forward to welcoming you to the 3rd Annual Famous Canadian Beer Run this Saturday, September 15th at Ontario Place! We will be joined by runners and walkers from across Canada, the United States and as far away as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France and Columbia.
Please take a moment to review this IMPORTANT event day information to help you make the most of your Famous Canadian Beer Run experience. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!
Please note that we are now out of office preparing for the event and will respond to all emails next week. If you have questions please refer to the email below, or visit the FAQ section on our website.
Arrival Time
We recommend that you arrive at Ontario Place at least 1 hour prior to your start wave to allow time to pick up your bib/shirt, check your bag and get to the start line.
Forgot your wave start time? Go to RaceRoster.com and log in to your participant dashboard. From there you can find your wave start time and other registration information.
Getting to Ontario Place
Ontario Place is located at 955 Lake Shore Blvd West in Toronto, Ontario.
We strongly encourage all participants to make plans for safe transportation home, ahead of time.
Please consider carpooling with a designated driver, taking an Uber or a taxi, bike share or walking via the Martin Goodman Trail if you live nearby, or using public transit. The Exhibition GO Station is an 8-minute walk to Ontario Place. TTC routes require a 15-minute walk from various drop off points. Ontario Place operates two pay parking lots on-site. Additional pay parking is available across the street at the CNE grounds.
Enter Ontario Place via the West Island entrance at Remembrance Drive and Lakeshore Boulevard West. The entrance you’ll be walking to is the farthest west entrance for Ontario Place…west of the Budweiser Stage main entrance. It is a 3 to 5-minute walk from the entrance to the Festival area and start line. Signs and volunteers will direct you from the entrance, across the pedestrian bridge and to the Festival/start line area. We recommend that you arrive at Ontario Place at least 1 hour prior to your start wave to allow time to pick up your bib/shirt, check your bag and get to the start line.
For out of town guests, the new Hotel X on the CNE grounds is the closest hotel to the run. It is within walking distance (5-10 minutes).
Early Bib/Shirt Pick Up
Individuals registered in the 5KM run/walk are encouraged to take advantage of early bib/shirt pick up. You’ll need to bring your ID. You will be able to pick up bibs/shirts for friends.
Our early bib/shirt pick up times are as follows:
Thursday, September 13
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
New Balance Toronto
1510 Yonge Street, Toronto
Friday, September 14
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
New Balance Toronto
2901 Bayview Avenue, North York
Unit D12
Run Day Bib/Shirt Pick Up
On run day, bib/shirt pick up is available from 8 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Please plan to arrive at least 1 hour prior to your scheduled wave start time. Simply head to the Registration Tent, show your ID and we will provide you with your shirt, run bib (which will include four tear-off beverage tokens) and any additional beverage tokens you purchased online in advance. You will receive your beer stein at the finish line.
Bag Check
Bag check is free, secure and indoors. You can access your personal belongings anytime throughout the day. Your bag tag is on your run bib, so make sure you have your bib before heading over to check your bag. Please note that no bags are provided when you pick up your bib/shirt, so make sure to bring your own bag. We recommend bringing an extra set of weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and other festival essentials!
Course/Start Line
This year we have a new start line location. Please follow the signs and volunteer instructions to the start line at Cedar Cove. Our 2017 course has been modified slightly, but still features a scenic run through the Ontario Place grounds and an out-and-back along Lakeshore Boulevard. The course is well marked with signs and course marshals will be on hand to direct runners.
There is one water station on course and your finish line beer stein will be filled with water. It looks like it is going to be a warm day – we strongly recommend that you bring your own water bottle along on the run.
Please be advised that the beginning of the run goes through Ontario Place’s man-made caves. The caves are at the beginning of the run and are dark and twisty. Please use caution and be considerate of other runners trying to navigate the caves alongside you.
Beverage Tokens
Each runner bib has four tear-off beer tokens. The tokens are good for two beverages or four sample pours of beer, cider or vodka cocktail from any of our drink vendors. Runners will receive their stein at the finish line.
If you have already purchased additional beverage tokens online, they will be provided to you at bib/shirt pick up. You may purchase additional tokens online until 6 p.m. on Friday.
Additional tokens may be purchased on-site at a cost of $3 each (cash, debit or credit cards accepted).
Our beverage vendors begin pouring at 11 a.m. Last call is at 6 p.m. and the Festival closes at 7 p.m.
Food Vendors
Standard post-run fare like bananas and bagels are provided at the finish line at no cost.
Our range of food vendors generally accept cash, debit and credit cards for purchases. Our food vendors include: Heirloom (fresh, farm-to-truck gourmet sandwiches), The Pie Commission (British hand pies), Los Vietnamita Taqueria Shop (Asian-inspired tacos) and The Pop Stand (unique popsicles). You’ll find Beaver Tails (doughy delights!) and Moustache Burger (burgers) in our Muskoka Zone area.
Run Day Schedule
Our full run and Festival schedule is available here.
Things to Do
WARM UP Start the day off right with a free dynamic warm up session with Yoga on Tap’s Ashley Kokelj at 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on the Main Stage. What a great way to start your day at the Famous Canadian Beer Run! No yoga mat required.
MASSAGES Triangle Physiotherapy is back again this year offering free massages to runners throughout the day on a first-come, first-serve basis. The perfect way to soothe your aching muscles.
VENDORS New Balance Toronto will be on hand showcasing the latest in running products and apparel. The Society of Beer Drinking Ladies will be selling their popular steins and beer-themed shirts. Learn about running for beer year-round at the Run-TO-Beer club tent. Visit our friends at Goodlife Fitness for a chance to win great prizes.
LIVE MUSIC This year we are delighted to welcome back Robbie and Matthew to the Main Stage! They’ll be playing your favourite hits of the 90s and today from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Over in the Muskoka Zone, things will be a little more chill with Phill Hood strumming his guitar and singing your favourite Canadian campfire tunes from 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Grab a beer, pull up a Muskoka chair and enjoy a cottage(ish) experience in the heart of the city!
ATTRACTIONS Ontario Place is alive with attractions and activities to enjoy throughout the day. We recommend checking out the synthetic skating rink (free access with your own skates or rentals available) located just a minute walk from the Festival area. Staying into the evening? Why not take in a movie at the Cinesphere?
Festival Only Passes / Spectators
Ontario Place and the Festival area is open to the public. Spectators and families are welcome to attend, however, only registered 5K runners or those holding a Festival Only pass ($25) will be able to partake in beer and other beverage tastings. The Festival Only pass includes a stein and four beverage tokens (equivalent to two full beverages or four sample pours). Additional tokens for Festival Only passholders can be purchased on-site at a cost of $3 each.
Runners taking advantage of early bib/shirt pick up can pick up Festival Only passholder steins and beer tokens on behalf of registered friends and family members.
Festival Only passes can be purchased online until 6 p.m. Friday and on-site on event day starting at 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Registration Changes
No cancellations, transfers or other registration changes can be made at this time. If you have any questions about your existing registration, please email support@raceroster.com or call 1-855-969-5515.