On the Run In… Mississauga, Ont.

Located just west of Toronto, Mississauga is Canada’s sixth largest city. Although initially developed as a suburb of Toronto, and consequently designed around the car, Mississauga has recently developed and approved plans to add more than 900 km of bike lanes and multiuse trails over the next 20 years. It is picturesquely situated on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Short 5K (out-and-back) Waterfront Trail

This scenic out-and-back route follows the Waterfront Trail, which runners can access from Lakefront Promenade south of Lake Shore Road. Here, the trail begins at Douglas Kennedy Park. Heading towards the water, runners keep left along the main road and complete a small loop before heading back north to catch the multiuse trail. Stay to the left as the trail winds west. The turnaround for this route (2.5k) is situated at the small bridge that crosses the Credit River. Follow the route in reverse for a 5k run. gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5834721  

Medium 10K The Lighthouse

This quiet residential route is a favourite of the staff at Runner’s Mark (53 Lake Shore Rd. East). It starts near the store at the Port Credit lighthouse on Lake Shore Road. Heading west, runners will turn right on Benson Avenue and then left on Queen Street until they arrive at Lorne Park Road. Turning right, the route winds through Lorne Park Village until Indian Road, where runners make a right turn. From Indian Road, there is a loop that involves a left on Caldwell Avenue and a right on Tecumseh Park Crescent, before returning to Indian Road by turning left. From here, runners continue until Kane Street, where they make a right. Then another right on Mississauga Road before making their way back down to Lake Shore Road and the lighthouse. The route is very runner friendly with wide sidewalks and bike paths. gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5834690  

Long 21-25k The Credit River Trail

The Mississauga campus of the University of Toronto is located on 225 acres of greenbelt along the Credit River, home to some of the city’s best running. Bryan Mulligan, a member of the Mississauga-based Nomads Running Club (nomadsrunning.com), says runners can easily follow the Credit River path that runs adjacent to the bank of the river. Starting at Erindale Park just north of Dundas Street, the out-and-back route is primarily crushed stone and relatively flat. It does, however, leave the Credit River Valley in two spots, with runners exiting the trail just north of Highway 403 for 400m and north of Eglinton Avenue (catching the trail again in Streetsville Memorial Park). These are the only two sections where runners are forced to leave the well-shaded trail system. The turnaround point for a 21k run is located near Britannia Road at the River Grove Community Centre, but the trail does continue for another 2k if runners want to extend their run. gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5834714

On the Town

Where to Shop

The Runner’s Mark (53 Lake Shore Rd. E.), owned by Carl Worrell, a former 400m All-American at Dartmouth College, offers workshops on running distances from the 5K to the marathon. They carry a wide selection of running apparel, shoes and nutrition products. Running Room (104 Lake Shore Rd. W.) is just down the street, which also supplies gear, shoes and an assortment of clinics. There are also two other Mississauga Running Room locations. Du Tri and Run (257 Queen St. S.), located in Streetsville, specializes in running and triathlon products, including shoes and clothing.

Where to Eat

There is no shortage of post-run restaurants in Mississauga. Port 229 (229 Lake Shore Rd. E.) offers an amazing brunch for runners looking to refuel, as well as some of the best coffee in town. Raw Aura (94 Lake Shore Rd. E.) provides vegetarians and rawfood lovers with another option. Pub food and a pint of beer can be found at Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub (158 Queen St. S.) in Streetsville or the Pump House Grill in Port Credit (40 Lakeshore Rd. E.).

Races

The Mississauga Marathon (mississaugamarathon.com) is a point-to-point course that starts near City Hall and finishes at Lakefront Promenade Park. This year’s race is scheduled for the first weekend in May and also includes a half-marathon, a 10K race, and the Hazel 5K run (named after longtime mayor Hazel McCallion). Another Mississauga favourite is the Bread and Honey race ( breadandhoneyrace.com). Limited to 1,500 runners, the popular 15K and 5K runs coincide with the Bread and Honey festival in Streetsville, a historic Mississauga village. Held this year on the first Sunday in June, the race frequently sells out, so register early. The Unbreakable Father’s Day 5K raises money to support teen mental health (wptheme.cameronhelps.ca).