Essex Region Conservation Bike Tour 2026

UPDATE

With just over a week away, we wanted to release this year's race route. The start and finish line will be in the same area as last year located on the ERCA trail off Thomas St. Participants will take off from this location and run/walk along the path that runs along Sadler's Pond before returning to the ERCA trail system where they will continue down the trail toward South Talbot. At South Talbot, participants will cross over to the other side of the trail that runs along Highway 3. They will proceed down this trail under the overpass with a turnaround point just shy of pollution plant. We will have volunteers guiding the participants as they move along. The below map represents this year's race route. We can't wait to see you there as we remember and carry on the legacy of our Jaida while raising much needed funds for childhood cancer research.

The Grey 5K is back for another year but with a slight twist - we are excited to announce the 2026 version will be "The Grey 5K - First Responders' Edition" powered by Empire Roofing Corporation and Essex County K9 Services. We are inviting local first responders to register and join us this year for some friendly competition amongst agencies. During Jaida's battle, Essex County first response agencies stepped up and were there to support our Jaida and our family. Your support has not been forgotten and we are excited to host local first responders at this year's event!

Join us a single participant or as a team! Let see some friendly competition amongst services - Fire, EMS, Police - who will be the winner? Not a First Responder? No problem, all are welcome to take part in this event!

This year's event will be held on May 30, 2026 in the Town of Essex at Sadler's Nature Park and Trail (same venue as last year). We will be making a slight change to this year's race route as well. Stay tuned!

Jaida Chartier was a 12-year old Essex resident who bravely fought Diffuse Midline Glioma with H3K27 mutation Brain Cancer for 14-months before peacefully passing away July 31, 2024.

In keeping with a promise made to Jaida by Jaida's parents to pay it forward while continuing Jaida's fight against Childhood Cancer, this 5K Run/Walk will raise money to fund Childhood Cancer research, specifically, Pediatric Brain Cancer. Last year's event raised $15,000 - we are looking to surpass this amount this year!

The month of May is significant, as it commemorates Brain Tumour/Cancer month which is symbolized with the Grey Cancer Ribbon. Further, on May 31st, 2023, Jaida's battle began when she was airlifted from Windsor Regional Hospital -Ouellette Campus to London Children's Hospital.

Let's come together once again to show our continued support of our Hero Jaida. Let's show her that she will never be forgotten and we will continue her battle to find a cure for our littlest heroes!

Registrations prior to May 7th includes custom event T-shirt! You can register to walk or run the 5K! Again, you don't have to be a First Responder to register for this event.

Registration will begin at 8am with run/walk starting at 10am!

Join SECC for Ride and Stride - a fun, inclusive community event bringing people together to move, connect, and make a difference.

Whether you choose to bike, run or walk, this 5K route is designed for all ages and abilities, creating a welcoming space for individuals, families, and teams to enjoy the outdoors while supporting local programs that strengthen our community.

Every registration and fundraising effort helps expand access to programs that support children, youth, newcomers, job seekers, seniors, and families across our region.

Come ride. Come stride. Help create impact that lasts.

Welcome to the 3rd annual Essex Fun Fest 5k Walk, Run, and Wheel presented by BrokerLink Insurance. This non-for-profit event directs all proceeds to the Essex Area Food Bank. Bring out the whole family to enjoy music (presented by DJ Tony), lawn games, and activities! Join us on race day to win exclusive prizes and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Sadler’s Nature Park and Trail. We can’t wait to see you soon!

Follow us on Instagram for up to date event information! @essexfunfest5kwalkrunwheel

Send us an email for more information! [email protected]

All participants will receive:

• Pre race warm up

• Finisher medal for both 5k run and walk

• Branded t-shirt

• Branded tote bag

• Branded reusable water bottle

• Entry into raffle prize draws

• Post race refreshments

• Chip timing provided by WRACE

• Awards for winning participants

Online registration is open until Friday, July 3, 2026. Last minute entries on race day can take place up to the start of the race. Please note: race day registrations must be paid in cash or by cheque, and the fee is increased to $50.00. Additionally, the registration fee is increased to $45.00 during the last week before the race (Sunday, June 28, 2026 - Friday, July 3, 2026).

All racers who register before June 5, 2026 will be guaranteed a branded t-shirt. Registrations after that date may not be entitled to a shirt or the racer's desired size.

All racers can pick up their race kit at Essex District High School on July 3rd or 4th (12 pm to 4 pm), or on race day at Sadlers Pond. Pick up at the high school will occur outside the front lobby on the Talbot St side of the building.

Parking is available on the side streets around Sadlers Pond, at the fire hall, and the wellness plaza on Victoria St. Parking lots at the pond will fill up fast so it is recommended to utilize the locations listed above.

There are three entrances into the park and to the race hub: the pathway off of Victoria Ave, the parking lot off of Keown St, and the pathway off of Thomas St. The start line is located at the joining of the Victoria and Keown paths, or down the first left pathway when using the Thomas entrance.

20

PureKids Triathlon Powered by Subway Leamington

WELCOME!!!!

to PureKids Triathlon powered by Subway

Sunday August 9, 2026

Nature Fresh Recreation Center

Race Details and Rules for Safety

EACH ATHLETE RECEIVES A MEDAL, T-SHIRT, SWIM CAP AND SWAG BAG !

Pre-Race Communication and Information:

Please review this Guide as it contains very important information and will address as many questions as possible regarding the Leamington event in The 2026 Pure Kids Triathlon Series powered by Subway. If you need further details or have a different question, please contact us through our race email at [email protected]

Registration:

• Online registration will close early if the race reaches maximum capacity, or on Thursday August 6, 2026 All registrations are non-refundable.

• · Athlete t-shirts are based on “first come, first served”. We will try our very best to have enough sizes on hand to satisfy all our athletes.

Register for both the Windsor race and the Leamington race (on August 9, 2026) and you will be eligible to win either a $100 gift card from Cycle Culture, a huge basket of fresh veggies from Pure Flavor, or a $50 gift card from The Running Factory

Weather:

• · Weather is an uncontrollable factor and every effort will be made to proceed with a safe event.

• · If one portion of the event is cancelled, the other two portions will take place; details will be shared on the day of the event.

• · This event is held outdoors, rain or shine. In the case of lightning, the race will be delayed or stopped immediately if in progress. The race will not resume until 30 minutes after the last incidence of lightning.

• · If the road conditions are unsafe due to rain, the bike portion of the event will be cancelled and a swim-run event will take place.

• · There are NO rain dates and NO refunds if the race is modified or cancelled due to weather.

Race Day Kit Pickup:

• · Date: Sunday morning from 7-8:45

• · Location: 249 Sherk Street, Leamington, ON, N8H 4X7

• All athletes must be on site by 8:30 am and ready to race by 9:00 am to allow our event to begin on schedule. Transition closes at 8:45

• · Parking will only be allowed at west end of parking lot

Equipment Required for the Race:

• Your athlete needs a pedal bicycle (road bike or mountain bike) or tricycle. Training wheels are permitted in any age group.

• A properly fitted bicycle helmet with functioning chin strap is required.

• All helmets must comply with either CPSC or CSA standards as indicated by a label inside the helmet.

• · Swim suit, goggles (optional), running shoes (no sandals or Crocs), shorts and shirt, water bottle, hat, towels and sunscreen.

SWIM

The swim takes place in the 6-lane 25 metre pool at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Center

• Lifeguards will be on deck at all times.

• There will be a maximum of 12 athletes per wave (a group that athletes are placed in according to their age). Athletes will swim 2 per lane.

• The swim will start in the water (no diving or jumping)

• · One parent or guardian (16 years+) must accompany athletes in the 3-5 age group in the water. Athletes 3-5 years may use water wings, puddle jumpers or a life jacket. Swim will take place in the shallow end of the pool for the smaller age groups.

• Life jackets are offered so athletes feel 100% comfortable swimming. The life jacket is not intended as an aid for non-swimmers. Life jackets will be permitted for any athlete regardless of age and will be handed out on the pool deck. We will supply the life jackets.

• · It is not a requirement for athletes to continuously swim their designated distance; resting by using the lane ropes or side walls is permitted and encouraged if needed. Athletes may use any stroke in the swim that they are comfortable with.

• Athletes are responsible for counting their own laps

• Spectators: due to limited space, you will be guided to a safe viewing area.

• TRANSITION AREA (PARENTS AND ATHLETES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN TRANSITION AREA ONCE RACE HAS BEGUN) Please wait until the race is completely over before removing belongings. Our live race day host will announce when the transition area is open to the public.

• The transition area in a triathlon is the section of the course that is set out to hold your bikes and equipment for the 3 stages (swimming, cycling, and running) of the race. You will use this twice; once to change from your swim to your bike, and the second time from your bike to your run.

• Athletes will place (rack) their bikes, helmet on the designated rack, with their gear placed under their bike. You must return bikes to the same place you racked your bike. No throwing of helmets or equipment .

• Bike racks will be marked with AGE GROUP signs which are the same colour as the race bib.

• Athletes enter the transition area, after their swim, walking or running down the swim chute Volunteers will assist athletes throughout their transition from swimming to biking.

• Athletes in the 3-5 age group will have a separate transition area. One parent (wearing a VIP race bib) will be allowed to assist their athlete in transition for the 3-5 age group.

• · After the swim, athletes should dry off with their towel and put on shorts and a shirt over their bathing suit with their race number already pinned on.

• · Parents are allowed in transition to help set up their athlete(s) gear before the race. Parents are not allowed in the transition area during the race (except in the 3-5 year old age group)

• · Parents are not permitted to participate with their athlete and will not be allowed to pace or guide their athlete on the bike and/or run course. We encourage you to watch from designated spectator areas and enjoy the experience while loudly cheering on both your athlete and others racing!

• · Bike helmets must be on and the chin strap buckled at all times while the athlete is in contact with their bike.

BIKE COURSE

• A properly fitted bicycle helmet with functioning chin strap is required.

• All helmets must comply with either CPSC or CSA standards as indicated by a label inside the helmet.

• Bike helmets must be on and the chin strap buckled at all times while the athlete is in contact with their bike.

• NO HELMET = NO RACE

• NO SHIRT = NO RACE (Torsos = chest and stomach must be covered during the bike and run (female and male)

• Our volunteers will direct athletes to the exit of the transition area.

• Athletes can walk or run with their bike to the “ON MY BIKE” sign where our volunteers will have you mount up for your ride. No riding bikes in the transition area.

• Failure to follow the directions of race officials, the use of profanity (athletes and parents) and putting the safety of other athletes at risk will not be tolerated.

• Please make sure your athlete(s) understand the bike looping process. The number of required bike loops will be marked on their hand with permanent marker to assist them through the

race. Example B4 = 4 loops on the bike.

• Cage pedals are not permitted at any age for safety. Aerobars are not permitted.

• Clipless pedals are permitted for any age.

• The bike course is a vehicle free 1.2K loop on the road around the perimeter of the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Center. There will be multiple volunteers, officials and emergency personnel on site.

• Older age groups will do multiple loops to complete their respective distance.

• As there could be many bikes on the course at one time, volunteers will do their best to count loops and indicate when athletes are on their final loop.

• Ultimately, it is your athlete’s responsibility to count their bike loops.

Run Course

• Athletes will be directed to the “OFF MY BIKE” sign where our volunteers will have you dismount from your ride.

• Athletes can walk or run with their bike back into the transition area. No riding bikes in the transition area.

• Athletes can remove all their bike gear, store it beside their bike, and put on their running gear.

• Race numbers must now be visible on the front of the athlete’s torso to allow our volunteers to direct athletes to the proper number of run loops.

• The run course is a vehicle free utilizing the trail behind the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Center

There will be multiple volunteers, officials and emergency personnel on site.

• Older age groups will do multiple loops to complete their respective distance.

• There will be 1 water station set up for all age groups; older age groups will pass the water station several times.

• Please make sure your athlete(s) understand the run loop process. The number of required run loops will be marked on their hand with permanent marker to assist them through the race. Example: R2 = 2 loops on the run.

• As there could be many runners on the run at one time, volunteers will do their best to count loops and indicate when athletes are on their final loop.

• Ultimately, it is your athlete’s responsibility to count their run loops.

Length & Loop Counting

• Be sure your athlete knows how many LENGTHS in the pool and LOOPS of the bike and run course they are required to complete.

• It is the responsibility of the athlete to keep track of the required loops.

• The number of lengths of the pool will be reviewed with each wave before starting.

• The number of bike and run loops will be marked on each athlete’s left hand with permanent marker.

• Bike Inspection:

• We recommend that you take your bikes in for a pre-race bike inspection the week before the race.

• Inspections at a bike shop will include checks on brakes, steering, inflation pressure, tire condition, chain, and pedals.

• On the day of the race, a bike technician from Le Bike Shop will be on hand to assist with last minute repairs, etc.

Post-Race Hospitality

• Athletes are welcome to enjoy all the post-race refreshments in our hospitality area after they have completed their race including sandwiches from Subway, assorted items from Tim Hortons, water, juice and snacks.

• We will not have post-race food available for purchase for spectators; please bring your own water and snacks as needed.

• A variety of draw prizes from some of our great sponsors will be pre-selected for each age group and posted for your convenience.

• ·Lost and found items are gathered and left at the race site. The organizers are not responsible for items left at the race.

• There are no age group awards for this event. The finishing time of each athlete will be posted in alphabetical order and not in order of completion time within each age group as we encourage and celebrate participation.

• We will take this opportunity to remind athletes and parents that this is a non-competitive event series and we are not disqualifying, holding back, or adjusting times for any participant who does not completed the required distance.·

Age Swim Bike Run

5 & Under 12m 100m 20m

6-7 25m 1.6km road and trail 500m

8-9 50m 2.5 1 loop 1km

10-11 100m 5km 2 loops 1km

12-13 150m 7.5 km 3 loops 2km

14-15 200 m 10 km 4 loops 2km

This event was created to bring people together around movement, personal goals, and community impact. Whether you’re running your first 5K, chasing a personal best, or showing up to support something meaningful, there’s a place for you here.

After the run there will be a fun, outdoor market style experience with local vendors and interactive experiences for runners and guests to enjoy while they celebrate and explore the area.

Along the Vines is built around giving back, with 50% of ticket sales donated to the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, while also creating space for local health and wellness businesses to connect with the community. It’s about challenging yourself, supporting one another, and celebrating what makes our local community strong.

Food options are available for pre-purchase to be enjoyed with fellow runners and spectators following the race in the seating area of the community market. If you wish to dine with CREW, a reservation is required and can be made here:

https://colchesterridge.com/reservations/

Course Map Information

The Along the Vines 5K / 10K begins and ends at Colchester Ridge Estate Winery, guiding runners and walkers along the shoulder of County Road 50 East, the heart of Windsor-Essex County’s wine route.

Participants will run alongside the vines, passing North 42 Degrees Estate Winery and Viewpointe Estate Winery, surrounded by the natural beauty of wine country.

The 5K walk and run will turn around just before Ravine Cottages, while the 10K course continues past Oxley, heading down and right before Paglione Estate Winery runners will loop back to the finish line at Colchester Ridge Estate Winery.

This course offers a scenic, flat, and memorable route, a true run along the vines, through one of Windsor-Essex County’s most iconic landscapes. This course wheelchair accessible, with no off-road or trail sections. It’s designed to be inclusive and accessible for all participants.