Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! Ontario Parks invites you to challenge yourself this fall.
Hike, bike or run through some of the world’s most beautiful scenery. And if you’re up for a little healthy competition, try one of the events below.
Race the Giant: the XTERRA Sleeping Giant
This challenge is geared for athletes. There are full and short distance triathlons, a trail run, a relay, and a mountain bike race for various age groups. Swim the clean, clear, spring-fed Marie Louise Lake. Bike grassy trails. Run through forest canopies with a spectacular view of Lake Superior. You could quality for a spot at the XTERRA World Championships in Maui and the World Cross Triathlon Championships in Australia.
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2015
Location: Sleeping Giant Provincial Park (approximately 80 km west of Thunder Bay)
Fees: From $35-$140, depending on the competition selected.
Thoughts from last year’s winners:
For more information or to register, visit XTERRA.
Frontenac Challenge
This one’s for hikers who want to get out and take in the fall colours. Take the full Challenge (conquer all 11 of the park’s trail loops), the lighter Trek verion (6 loops of your choice) or the Junior Hiking Challenge (6 loops of your choice, for kids up to 12). Register at the park office and get your log sheet. This is year 22 of the Frontenac Challenge.
Date: September 1-October 31
Location: Frontenac Provincial Park (approximately 35 kms north of Kingston)
Fees: free
For more information or to register, call the Park Office at 613-376-3489 or visit the Frontenac Challenge.
Pinery Fall Classic
The Fall Classic welcomes runners (and walkers) of all ages. There are 2k, 5k and 10k road races, a 5k wheelchair race, a 4.8k trail run and the 200m “Faun Run” for very young runners. For serious runners, the competition offers accurate chip timing and distance. Now in its ninth year, the Pinery Fall Classic is a major fundraiser for the park’s education, preservation, research and enhancement projects.
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2015
Location: Pinery Provincial Park (less than 10 km west of Grand Bend on Lake Huron)
Fees: $20-$40, depending on the competition your select. A family discount is available (first member pays full fee, the rest get a $5 discount), and if you raise $100 or more in pledges, your registration fee is refunded.
Learn more or register at the Pinery Road Race.