2015 Around the Bay is over “the hill”

Some would say the 2015 Around the Bay race just got over “the hill”.

This year’s course will be excluding the grueling 500m incline that leads to the finish. Construction on the rail bridge at the hill’s base on Valley Inn Road won’t yet be finished by the March 29 race date.

The news was announced on Tuesday when director Mike Zajezenko said most people likely won’t be too upset although there are always a few who do like racing the steep grounds to the end.

The race’s famous hill begins after kilometre 25 on the 30K course. It’s usually a make-or-break in a runner’s performance. The chunk excluded from the course this year starts with the descent from Woodland Cemetery and continues to the climb up to York Boulevard. Instead, athletes will run Plains Road that leads out of Burlington and into Hamilton.

Around the Bay will be 121 this year. Money will go towards St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation. Zajezenko says they hope to raise $475,000 for the charity.