Run for the Toad 2015 in pictures

One of Canada’s largest and most popular trail events took place in Paris, Ont. this weekend. Run for the Toad is one of the country’s fastest growing trail races with about 1,200 runners gathering at the start line of either it’s 50K, 25K or four-person relay each year.

Taking place in southwestern Ontario’s quaint town of Paris, runners get to enjoy the beauty of the 12.5K trail that takes them through forested area and along the edge of Pinehurst Lake. Those who train for this goal race have to be prepared for the trail’s twists and turns, however with the shorter 25K and relay options, this is still an event that is reasonable for the runner who is just getting into trail running.

Every race has it’s claim to fame. For those who organize Run for the Toad, one of the points that gives them bragging rights is the excellent post-race meal. This is no pizza-slice-at-the-finish kind of race. This year, runners got to fill their plates with their choice of lemon chicken breast, fresh salads, pasta, roasted butternut squash couscous salad and pie. That’s a buffet that hungry trail runners look forward to and can thank St. Jacobs’ Stone Crock restaurant for supplying. The restaurant is a favourite among tourists and those who live in the town of St. Jacobs.

While the season seems to have changed overnight in southwestern Ontario, that just meant that runners got to race in ideal running conditions this weekend. It was slightly windy with temperatures hitting around 10C. That’s a dip from recent weeks, however runners weren’t shy to post all the fun from this weekend’s race on social media. Get a feel for this Ontario trail race and check out scenes from Paris.

Stay tuned for full results of the race.

Cold, blustery,rainy day at #RunForTheToad First time taking part in the 50k relay,tough to wait around and not dive into the delicious meal that they serve every year, but it was worth the wait when our last soaked runner crossed the finish line. It was great to see the usual suspects on the course…that skeleton that waits at the top of the last hill always gives me that last burst of energy needed to finish. As usual my #TomTomWatch showed the meandering course and of course my #SauconyPeregrine flattened out the hills and made every slippery slope a piece of cake. @tomtomglobal @saucony @sauconycanada @runninman17 thanks for everything

A photo posted by ????Patte???? (@justpatteb) on Oct 3, 2015 at 5:09pm PDT

Mid-race candy, post-race donuts, and massive trophies. Something I could get used to. Great event put on by #runforthetoad this morning. Hope to be back again next year. #trailrunning ??? A photo posted by Jeremy Rae (@jeremy_rae) on Oct 3, 2015 at 2:02pm PDT

Congrats to today’s @wrdsb high school XC runners who competed in the 25km relay at Run for the Toad! pic.twitter.com/ZeERp2cU8Y

— Mr. Giesler (@mrgiesler) October 3, 2015

Our relay team at Run for the Toad. Cold but beautiful day and even better running! pic.twitter.com/Jtc6atYQ7F — The Husky Pack (@husky_pack) October 3, 2015

Start line Run for the Toad…Yippee! pic.twitter.com/OujmmFcEYR

— . (@DailaWebster) October 3, 2015

We ran for the toad and it was cold!! #runforthetoad #25k #imstillcold A photo posted by Michelle (@michelleashley_c) on Oct 3, 2015 at 12:53pm PDT

#runforthetoad #50k, complete! 2nd place female in just under 4 hrs. Tough race today, but big thanks to husband and coach @adam.p.takacs for helping me through it. #ultrarunning #ultramarathon #trailrunning #myfeethurt

A photo posted by Julie Hamulecki (@jhamulecki) on Oct 3, 2015 at 1:32pm PDT

@speedrivertfc gets the Run for the Toad team title and course record! #runforthetoad #trailrunning ?? ?: @jeremy_rae A photo posted by Ross Proudfoot (@rossproudfoot) on Oct 3, 2015 at 12:22pm PDT

Staying on my feet proved to be more challenging than the 25km itself. #runforthetoad #feetdontfailmenow #toolate #threetripsthreefalls #trailrunning

A photo posted by John Vibert (@mrjohnnyvibe) on Oct 3, 2015 at 12:42pm PDT

Run for the Toad 2015…50km’rs just started. 25km runners at the start line….ready to fight the wind!!! pic.twitter.com/P4xSmHQA7D — . (@DailaWebster) October 3, 2015

Sending #TribeLove out to @deepfreezelq who rocked this mornings #RunForTheToad. Way to #GetAfterIt.

A photo posted by Tribe Fitness (@tribe_fitness) on Oct 3, 2015 at 2:26pm PDT

#runforthetoad #paris #trailrun #trailrunning #trailrace #25km A photo posted by Shereen Thompson (@shereenthompson) on Oct 3, 2015 at 12:38pm PDT