Around the Bay 30K controversy eliminated with full certification

The 2016 @bayracerun 30k course has been certified: https://t.co/Cx6QSQv4aV @CanadianRunning

— AC Road (@Run_Canada) January 26, 2016

The Around the Bay 30K course got its stamp of approval today as Athletics Canada fully certified the Hamilton course.

This year’s race goes off on April 3.

RELATED: Was Around the Bay really 30K?

The course was changed in 2015 and some questioned the legitimacy of the distance, citing inaccuracies compared to their GPS watches (which can also prove to be inaccurate).

RELATED: 2016 Around the Bay course not covering iconic hill, introduces new features.

Having a race certified eliminates any concern of measurement issues with the distance and allows for meaningful performance comparison due to the accuracy of the race. The certification lasts for 10 years if the course remains unchanged on a year-to-year basis.

The 2016 race course does not feature the iconic 500m hill following the 25K mark due to ongoing construction. Rather, participants run along Plains Road out of Burlington, Ont. to Hamilton.

RELATED: Kimugal and Pidhoresky win Around the Bay 2015.

To spice things up this year, race organizers have a contest going on where they’re dividing the course into different cheer sections in hopes of increasing crowd support along the course. Runners vote on which section was most supportive.

The neighbourhood that receives the most votes following the end of the race earns a financial prize.