Hamilton Boxing Day 10 Mile

In 2007, I decided that I would try the Hamilton Boxing Day 10 Mile run.  Boxing Day, for those of you who are unaware, is the day after Christmas if you live in a Commonwealth country (or Great Britain).  The Hamilton run is a long tradition that has been happening for over 90 years.  Having run my first half-marathon in 2007, I thought that I would be ready to go for the 10 mile because, after all, it is 3 whole miles shorter.  And a 0.1.

However, I was not prepared for the course.  The course is pretty brutal.  And I was last.  Not close to last or near the end.  I was last.  Mind you, for every race someone has to be last, so I guess that was my turn.  It was not my favorite, as you can probably imagine.

For anyone who is planning to run the Hamilton Boxing Day 10 Mile run, here is a description:

0.0-5.0: not bad.  You spend a lot of it by the harbor, which means you went downhill to get there, followed by lots of flat.  There is a hill near the start, but that is about the only one.  Furthermore, that particular hill is really not all that bad.  You will note, though, that this race tends to be a fast one and that the average participant runs at a swift clip.

Need a bathroom?  Look around 3.5 (I think) and 4.8 for Port-a-Potties.

5.1-7.5: you will notice the first major hill right after the 5.0 marker (actually, it will be a timing mat that you cross).  It's really easy to see: first, there will be a big incline and second, you will see lots of people walking.  These people are wise.  Unless you are trained for hills, might I recommend joining them.

Then, you will notice several rolling hills over the next couple of miles.  Don't be fooled.  Your brutal hill is the one that starts near the golf course, at around 7.25.  This hill is sheer evil.  There is no getting around it.  It makes the other hill look like a joke.  You'll also notice many more people walking.

7.5-8.5: this part is fine as long as there isn't snow.  You're basically running on a trail, so if there is snow, it is not the best.  Fortunately, this year there was no snow.

8.5-10: There are a few hills, but nothing like what you had before.  Keep your chin up for the last mile, including the one hill there.  You can do it.  It's almost over.  You won't have to run hills like that again for a while (unless by choice).

This year, it is worth noting, I was not last.  Not even close to last.  I even passed people during my last 0.75 mile.  So take that!  Nevertheless, my time was not a huge improvement, mostly because I did not treat the hills in a strategic manner.  My brain forgot how evil that one at 7.25 miles is, for instance.  However, it was an improvement, I was not last, and I may even try and run it again in the future.