Hundreds of runners hit the street for Thunder Bay's 10 Mile Road Race

As Victoria Day dawned clear and cool, more than 500 runners competed in Thunder Bay's Fire Fighters 10 Mile Road Race — a race that's been run in the city for more than 110 years. 

The 16-kilometre race began Monday at 9 a.m. at the Donald and Simpson Street intersection, where participants ran to Marina Park and back, staying on the South core to Waterfront route. 

The Thunder Bay tradition began back in 1910 and has grown to be known as a highly significant sporting event in the Northwestern Ontario region. 

All participants wore race timing chips to accurately record the time taken to complete the race with cash rewards, up to $750 presented to various winners. 

Herb Daniher is the race director of the 10 Mile Road Race. As a past participant who has competed in the race about 20 times, he was passionate to get this beloved community event together again after a hiatus as a result of the pandemic, he said. 

"Some people get ready to go fishing on the May long weekend, I would get ready to go the 10 Mile Road Race.… If you're a part of the running community, this is sort of the core and this is the marquee event for the city." 

Individuals of all ages participated in the event with volunteers and spectators cheering them on as they ran the course. 

The main goal is to come out and give it a try, said Alan Cranston. Cranston has been announcer for the event for about 30 years with a history of running the race himself. 

He said he enjoys seeing the new faces come out, encouraging others, no matter their skill level, to just go for it. 

"The running community is just so inclusive in terms of, everyone is happy that somebody else has come out and started doing it." 

The 10 Mile Road Race was not the only distance race