The Around the Bay Road Race passed through the North End again this year, bringing runners along the waterfront between Pier 8 and Pier 4.
Earlier in the morning, along Guise Street near John, runners began moving toward the 5K start area and before long had filled the road. As they got closer, the scale of the race became clear. Thousands of runners were moving through the course. The road stretched back as far as you could see, a continuous line of athletes heading along the harbour.
All along the route, people held up signs and waited for runners they came to support. The weather stayed cool and grey, with light rain through the day, but families, kids, neighbours, and visitors still lined the waterfront.
By the time runners returned to the finish area later in the morning and into the afternoon, the space around Pier 8 was loud and full of energy. People were cheering, whistling, calling out names, and using horns. Signs stayed up as people watched for familiar faces coming in.
Runners came through at all paces. Some slowed right away to catch their breath, while others kept moving as they finished and looked around. Their expressions were a mix of being tired, focused, relieved, and sometimes already smiling as they searched for familiar faces.
Near Pier 8, many of those moments came together. People spotted each other, waved, and made their way over. Hugs followed, along with smiles and quick conversations right after the run.
One of those moments was with Patrick Mouaikel, a North End runner, who had just finished the 30K when he spotted his running group nearby. His face lit up as he saw them and he went over to join them. He described this group as something that recently started, saying, “We had a long run group that started this year with a few very fast runners, they included me for some reason! They’re a great group that is helping everyone try to get better at their goals, some are trying to improve on the marathon like myself and a few are training for some longer ultra marathons.”
Throughout the day, there was a steady mix of people with connections to the North End, as well as those visiting from outside the area, all sharing the same waterfront space.
That sense of connection came up in conversation as well. Joe Curto, the president of the Fratellanza Racalmutese Italian Club, spoke about growing up in the North End and how much the waterfront has changed over the years. He remembered when the area was far more industrial and talked about how much it has improved since then. His words carried a lot of pride in the neighbourhood.
The Around the Bay race has long been part of Hamilton, but along the North End waterfront it becomes more than just the run. It brings people together, gives them a place to reconnect, and fills the area with energy for a day.
For those who call the North End home, it is a chance to see the neighbourhood full of life and to share it with others, even if just for the day.
