Save The Light 5K

Of all the races I have ever run, this is my favourite course for a variety of reasons.

First, the distance is very close to spot on at 3.12 miles, the most accurate reading I have ever gotten for a 5K on my Garmin watch. It is a USATF Certified course and it is chip-timed. Most of the time the races are 3.13 to 3.15 miles, which is well above the true distance of 3.106856 miles.

The race is very well managed, with great awards and excellent pre-race support for signups, bib collection, etc.

There are only four turns on this course – a left, a left, a left and then a right.

You start out with a straight stretch of about 1.5 miles down East Arctic Avenue (funny address for a beach!), take your first left turn for two blocks, then another left turn onto East Cooper Avenue with a stretch of about ½ mile, then a left for two blocks onto Seventh Street East before you take your final turn right onto East Arctic Avenue for the home stretch of about ¾ mile.

Many courses are advertised as “flat and fast” but this one lives up to the hype. With no 180 degree switchbacks and four easy turns, you can keep your momentum on this completely paved course that is run on city streets.

A map is below.

Enjoy!