Big Canada Run: the perfect summer activity for friends and families

The Big Canada Run, a virtual race across the country, started as a pandemic event but has turned into an annual adventure. Beginning on July 1, 2022, Canadians have one year to complete either 8,000 or 10,000 kilometre routes “across” Canada.

“I participated in the 2020 edition in the absence of live events,” says Dwayne Onofriechuck of Ottawa. “I thoroughly enjoyed the motivation and flexibility TBCR provided. Joining TBCR 2021 was a no-brainer for me, and I am anxiously awaiting TBCR 2022.” Participants can enter an unlimited number of teammates to travel Canada virtually. Everyone’s respective runs, walks and hikes will be added up over the course of the year to traverse the distance.

The routes

There are three route options for this year’s Big Canada Run. The first (and shortest) is the classic east-to-west route, which follows the Trans-Canada Highway. This route totals 8,000 km and is well suited to first-time participants.

The second route option goes west to east, starting in Victoria and heading north toward the Yukon before pointing east. This route finishes on the coast of Newfoundland and totals 10,000 km.

The Maple Challenge, the longest of the three, incorporates both routes to explore a total of 26 Canadian cities.

How to sign up

Runners can sign up here. Participation costs $70 per individual for the 8,000 or 10,000 km routes, and $125 for the Maple Challenge. You can enter as a private team, provincial team or charity team, depending on your goals. The only rule is that all participants must be over 18. Teams can be as big as runners would like–there is no participation cap.

The charities

If runners would like to put their efforts to even better use, they can have their running contribute to raising money for any of the following charities: The CHEO Foundation (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario), Discovery House (dedicated to ending the traumatic cycle of domestic violence for women and children), or Rocky Mountain Adaptive (enabling individuals with physical or mental challenges to participate in sports and recreational activities in the Canadian Rockies).

The perks

This year’s prize package is bigger and better than ever! Finishers of the 2022 event will receive each of the following:

• A finisher’s medal
• A neck gaiter
• A cell phone sticker
• A wristband
• An official race bib
• Access to a participant-only Facebook page
• A virtual badge to celebrate and share your accomplishments
• A pre-mapped course across the country
• A mobile app to register your kilometres and follow the journey. Use Fitbit, Garmin, Strava, Apple Health, or RunKeeper to upload your kilometres automatically.
• A virtual travel experience through fun facts and photos of things you would see along the route.

The start of the 2022 edition is only 15 days away, so if you’re looking for a creative way to get your family and friends active this summer, look no further.