On the Run In… Thunder Bay, Ontario

Nicknamed the land of “the Sleeping Giant,” Thunder Bay, Ont. (pop. 122, 900), is close to the geographical center of Canada. Situated on the northern shore of Lake Superior, there are plenty of options for year-round outdoor recreational opportunities. Thunder Bay is also home to Lakehead University, which has cross-country and track programs, along with indoor training facilities. One of the oldest road races in Canada, the Firefighters 10-miler, happens on Victoria Day in May.

Short Run 5K – Boulevard Lake

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/69143148/?open_ive_done=1&new_route=1

Start from the main parking lot, and follow the paved recreational trail in either direction. East will take you across the dam; heading west will take you towards the Black Bay Bridge. Along the route you may see wildlife such as deer, beavers and foxes. This popular recreational area showcases some unique local public art on the north side of the lake – look for the family of partridges – and a little educational area highlighting the various species of trees found in the boreal forests of the region. There’s also a Frisbee golf course along the way.

Medium Run 10K – Confederation College / Lakehead University Loop

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/67451206

Start from Confederation College Fitness Centre. Head towards Red Lake Road and veer left towards Nakina Drive. Just before the road bends to the left, you will see a recreational trail on the right – it goes into a wooded area, take it until Riverside Drive. Turn left on 10th Avenue, left on Central Avenue, and turn left again on Reaume Street. At the end of Reaume Street, follow the recreational trail, cross the campus road and run between the two buildings. You will run by Lake Tamblyn and then run around the Sanders Fieldhouse, cross back across the footbridge and between the two buildings, turning left along the campus road (Lakehead University Drive South). Turn right at the second exit road and look for a recreational trail to your left, follow it up to Oliver Road where you will turn left onto the recreational trail at the Bora Laskin Building. Stay left at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and find the trail that brought you on to campus from Reaume Street. Retrace your route back. When you emerge from the under the Harbour Expressway, stay to the right of the recreational trail until you see the main college building. Turn left before the bridge, and run between the two buildings connected by an overhead walkway to your original starting point at the Fitness Centre.

Long Run 23K – Recreational Trails

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/69206346/?open_ive_done=1&new_route=1

Start from the parking lot of the Legion Track / Delaney Arena. Run left out of the parking lot towards Victoria Avenue. Turn left on Victoria Avenue, right on Selkirk Street, then right again on Walsh Street. Shortly after you cross the railway tracks, there is a short recreational trail on the right side, take it to hook up to Ford Street. Follow the recreational trail to your left along the river, stick to the south side of the river until you reach James Street, where you turn left. Then turn right on Frederica Street and right on Neebing Avenue. Turn right at the recreational trail just before the railway tracks. Turn left on James Street, and follow it until you reach the trail along the river again. At the end of the trail, which is Arthur Street, turn right, cross the expressway, keep running straight and turn right at Parkdale Drive. After crossing the bridge, turn right through an open gate and across an empty lot, then turn right on Mink Crescent. Turn right on Wolverine Crescent, and look for a walkway between the houses on your right. Take the walkway which will turn into a recreational trail, and follow it under the expressway. Turn right on Thornloe Drive, then get onto the trail and follow it until James Street, where you turn left. At Edward Street, find the recreational trail, which will take you on to the Confederation College campus. Stay on the right side of the road, cross the bridge, turn right, and follow the trail along the river until you almost reach the bridge which crosses overhead. Run up to street level, turn right along the golf course, then turn right again at Dease Street. You will run past the Centennial Conservatory to the recreational trail. Turn left when you get to the footbridge to get back to the start.

WHERE TO EAT

Thunder Bay hosts the largest Finnish population outside of Scandinavia, so fuel up with a plate of thin Finn pancakes from Hoito Restaurant (314 Bay St.). Another rarity available in Thunder Bay, Persians are a yeasty cinnamon bun-like pastry topped with pink icing. The Persian Man ( 400 Balmoral St. or 899 Tungsten St.) and Nucci’s Bake-a-Deli (801Red River Road) are good choices. Good News Cafe (116 Syndicate Ave. S) offers fresh salads, homemade soups, and paninis and sandwiches made with local ingredients.

WHERE TO SHOP

Fresh Air Experience (311 Victoria Ave.) has excellent, knowledgeable staff covering running, cycling, swimming, cross-country skiing and other sporting needs. They have a Saturday morning clinic and a free run group on Thursday evening. Running Room (Unit 1C, 379 Main St.) also offers essential gear and clinics for beginners, 5K and 10K runners with a free run club on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.

Norine Howardson is a swimmer, runner and triathlete based in Thunder Bay, Ont.