7 fun run events in London, Ontario

Welcome to the fifth anniversary edition of the Springbank Sprint!

As in years past, we are tremendously excited to welcome you to Springbank Park for a 5 km (New Era Grafix 5k) or 10 km (BackRoads Brews + Shoes 10k) race. In addition, we will be hosting some shorter runs for the kids (Little Vikings Sports Camp Kids' Runs).

Like always, we're also hosting some walking only events, 5k and 10k.

As with all of our events, a portion of each 5 and 10k registration will be donated to the Children's Health Foundation in support of children and their families in our community.

The Venue

Springbank Park is the crown jewel of the Thames Valley Parkway. Come and enjoy the fast multi-use paved pathways as you run alongside the Thames River. The route is closed to vehicular traffic. The 5km, 10 km, and 1 km kids' run, are out and back routes. The 50 metre and 100 metre kids' runs are short point to point runs.

The races will begin and end near 1205 Commissioners Road West, London, Ontario.

Race Sanctioning, Course Measurement, and Certification

As always, the Springbank Sprint is proudly sanctioned by Athletics Ontario.

We've just confirmed (February 11th) with the city that we will be using the same route as 2024 and 2025 which avoids the dam area and any possible construction closures. You can view the routes at the following links:

5k course

10k course

The kids' runs will all be run along the route near the main start/finish line. The 50 metre and 100 metre runs will start that distance from the finish line and run back to the line (we'll have signs in place where your little ones will start along with volunteers). The 1k run will go from the main start/finish area out 500 metres, and then back to the finish.

Race Schedule

Packet Pickup

All local runners are encouraged to pick up their race kits prior to race day in order to avoid congestion and line-ups on race morning.

Tentative early pickups:

BackRoads Brews + Shoes

1295 Riverbend Road, London, ON

Wednesday, April 1st, 2026

5:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

On race morning, race kits will be available at the start/finish area beginning at 8:30 a.m. If you are picking up your race kit on race morning, please give yourself ample time to do so.

April 4th, 2026 Race Day!

9:30 5 km start

9:35 10 km start

11:00 kids' runs (50 metre, 100 metre, 1 km)

50 and 100 metre kids' runs are for ages 0 - 10. 1k is for ages 7-15.

Timing

The 5km and 10 km events will be chip-timed events. The kids' events will not be chip-timed and are fun runs. Chip timing is being provided by Chiptime Results.

Aid Stations and Washrooms

Aid stations will be serving water and will be located at approximately the 2.5 km mark, and the 5 km and 7.5 km mark for the 10 km runners.

Portable toilets will be available at the start/finish area. Public washrooms are also available near the start/finish area. There is a public washroom on the 10 k course as well (runners will pass it twice).

Shirts, Medals, Prizes, and More!

Each participant in the adult races will receive an awesome event shirt and our special 5th Anniversary custom race medal. The kids will also receive a finisher's medal and race bib.

There will be some post-race snacks available as well.

Our race photographer will be on hand to capture all of your awkward running facial expressions. Your photos are yours to download, FOR FREE.

Additional prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in the 5 km and 10 km runs (female, male, and non-binary categories). There must be a minimum of five particpants in the running events in order for awards to be given. Results for prizes will be based on gun-time. Prizes will be awarded to the top overall finisher in the walking events.

If you're looking for some post-race recovery, check out our partners at Frigid Recovery. Tell them that you ran the race, and you'll receive 20% off of your cold immersion therapy.

Refund Policy:

There are no refunds for this event. However, life happens. Work trouble, running injuries, a bad paper cut, we get it. If you have to withdraw from the event by March 4th, we will give you a 100% race credit for a future Persistence race (minus CHF donation, taxes, and fees).

If you need to withdraw after March 4th, you will receive a 50% race credit. Sorry, but by then we will have already paid for your stuff, and the resale market for unclaimed race shirts and medals is unfavourable.

There are no bib transfers available for this event.

5k and 10k walkers and runners may change distances prior to the race. Please email us at [email protected] for any distance change requests.

Thanks for taking part in the event, we can't wait to cheer you on!

Event Records

5k Run

Jacob Lasci 17:04 (2022)

Kaitlyn Palmateer 17:29 (2025)

10k Run

Matt King 34:56 (2025)

Jackie Stanton 44:01 (2025)

5k Walk

Janice Strickland 36:41 (2023)

10k Walk

Lisa Taylor 1:16:21 (2024)

National Records

Joanne Miklos den Iseger 5 mile Canadian Masters W75 (2022)

Canio Polosa 5 mile, 8k, 10 k Canadian Master M90 (2022)

Additional Information

We'll have some Persistence Racing gear available for purchase on race day, such as tees, hats, hoodies, etc.

Purchases will be cash only.

Other Races

Be sure to check out all of our Persistence Races here.

Whether you're a runner or cyclist looking for an early-season event to shake off winter and gear up for summer events, a new runner enjoying spring weather and a fun run, or looking for a way to support the work of Sanctuary, we invite you to join us.

Sanctuary seeks to be a place of safety, support, and community for those who are, too often, pushed to the margins. Home is, or should be, a place of community and belonging. Together we are trekking to build a place that feels like Home for everyone.

How you can help power our mission:

1. Walk/Run/Cycle: Join us on April 18th as we Trek for Home (5km, 10km, 21km)

2. Donate: Every dollar helps us towards our goal or sign up as a monthly donor

3. Share: Share our campaign and build a team to run/walk/cycle

4. Volunteer: Your time and skills can make an impact too.

Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/peer-to-peer/trekking-for-home--2026

Swift. Strong. Together. Are you ready for a unique experience in Canadian running?

Persistence Racing is excited to invite you to our newest event, FOXSTRIDE!

A mix of speed, strength, endurance, and community. A rare opportunity for your family and friends to watch the entirety of your race(s).

FOXSTRIDE will be held on the beautiful Western Alumni Stadium mondo track at Western University in London, Ontario. You'll run in the stadium, and be cheered on by the fans in the stands and your supportive running community! Invite your family and friends to cheer you on!

We'll have the following options available on race day:

5k Community Run

Double Dash 5k heats/3.2k A and B finals

3 hour Endurance Run

Kids' Touchdown Runs

Spots are limited, so grab yours while you can!

This is a rain or shine event. In the event of dangerous weather (e.g. lightning) we may have to adjust the schedule/format.

Here's how all of the events will work:

5k Community Run

We'll kick the day off at 9 a.m. with our 5k Community Run. We'll welcome 50 runners to complete 12.5 laps of the 400 metre track.

This will be a mixed gender event, all genders will run at the same time . The top runners will get to take their place on the podium and we'll hand out some awards (podiums and awards will be separated by gender categories). Awards will be given in gender categories with at least 3 runners.

There is a 1 hour time limit for the 5k Community Run. Runners will have access to all 8 lanes of the track for this event.

Double Dash (5k/3.2k)

We're going to do something a little different for these races! What's better than running once? Running twice!

Each heat will consist of 24 runners (two heats for females, and two heats for males). The heats will consist of 12.5 laps of the 400 metre track to make up 5k. Runners will have access to the inner four lanes of the track in these events.

All runners in the 5k heats will advance to an A or B 3.2 kilometre final later in the day depending on their finishing time in the 5k heats. Like the heats, A and B finals are divided into male and female divisions. In other words, if you sign up for this sub-event, you're running twice, a 5k, followed by a 3.2k later in the day.

The A and B finals will consist of 8 laps of the track, to make up the 3.2k distance. The bottom 24 runners across both 5k heats will advance to the B final, while the top 24 across both heats will run in the A finals. Therefore, in the A and B finals, runners will be grouped with runners with similar paces.

There is a cutoff of 35 minutes in the 5k heats, and 25 minutes for the 3.2k finals.

The schedule for this unique running experience will be as follows:

10:05 - 10:40 Female Heat #1

10: 45 - 11:20 Female Heat #2

11:25 - 12:00 Male Heat #1

12:05 - 12:40 Male Heat #2

12:45 - 1:10 Female "B" Final

1:15 - 1:40 Female "A" Final

1:45 - 2:10 Male "B" Final

2:15 - 2:40 Male "A" Final

Podiums and awards will take place at the conclusion of the A and B finals in each gender category. There will be no awards or podiums for the 5k heats.

3 Hour Endurance Run

Our three hour endurance run will kick off at 10:20 and wrap up at 1:20. Runners will run on the outside three lanes of the track. We'll welcome 24 runners for this test of endurance running.

Running on the inside of lane 6, will mean you'll be covering about 438 metres per lap. How far can you go in 3 hours? This subevent is open to all genders who will run at the same time. Podiums and awards will be divided by gender.

You may run for as much of the three hours as you'd like. If you have a shorter time or distance goal, run until you hit it!

Kids' Touchdown Runs

Since we'll be running in a football stadium, we figured we should put the field to use as well! The kids' runs will consist of running the length of the football field from endzone to endzone (110 yards). If this distance is too long for your child, they're welcome to run the yardage that works for them.

These are untimed fun runs. Each child will receive a custom race bib and a finisher's medal.

Sign your child up for the race time that works the best for your family. We won't be separating by age groups, so that kids can run whichever time works the best for when their parents are running their events (of course, kids' are welcome to run whether or not their adults are taking part in the event).

There are four start times to choose from, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, or 12:30.

Parents of young children may accompany their child on their touchdown run, but only the kids' receive a medal (parents are able and encouraged to do touchdown dances when they cross the line...but it's not mandatory).

Included in Your Registration

All runners registered for the 5k Community Run, Double Dash, and 3 Hour Endurance Run will receive a bib, timing, custom finisher's medal, event t-shirt**, and downloadable race photos. We'll also have hydration options available during and after your race.

Those runners who register after April 15th will not receive a t-shirt

Runners will receive their medal at the completion of their run (for those doing the Double Dash, you will receive your medal at the end of your 3.2k run).

Kids' Touchdown runners will receive a bib and medal.

Sanctioning

Foxstride is proudly sanctioned by Athletics Ontario.

Parking

There is ample parking right outside of, and close to the stadium. Parking is free.

Food and Vendors

We're still finalizing the details on food for the event and will update this section once things are finalized. We're working on having the concession stand open or food trucks on site.

We won't be providing post race snacks at this event (hydration will be available and is included with your registration).

Runners are welcome to bring their own food to fuel throughout the day.

Three hour endurance runners will be able to set up their own aid stations (chair/cooler type of set up, nothing crazy, it's three hours, not three days).

Medical

We'll have medical support on site for any needs which arise.

Packet Pickups

You'll have multiple opportunities to pick up your race kits prior to your race(s). To help avoid lineups on race day, local runners are encouraged to pick up their kits at the early packet pick ups.

Early Packet Pickups

BackRoads Brews + Shoes

1295 Riverbend Road

April 30th

5:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

May 1st

10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

May 3rd, Race day!

Race kits will be available inside the stadium beginning at 8 a.m. Please give yourself ample time to pick up your race kit prior to your race.

Run Club/Crew/Group Contest

Throughout the course of the event, we'll be keeping an eye out for the run club, crew, or group that shows up the strongest to rep their crew. Wear your swag, make signs, and get loud! Run a race, or come and cheer on those in your crew who are. After the event, we'll get in touch with the crew who reps the best and brings the vibes to race day, and will have some rewards to dish out.

In rewarding the best crew we'll also be considering how many runners participate from each group. If you're repping a crew, make sure you let us know which one when registering.

Other

Often times at races, people can see you start, finish, and maybe on the course once or twice if you're lucky. At FOXSTRIDE, they'll be able to cheer you on the entire way. We're planning on making this a fun gathering for the running community. Runners are encouraged to stay after their events, or arrive early to cheer on your fellow runners. Invite your family and friends out to cheer you on. Let's create an awesome environment for all of the runners!

Western Alumni Stadium has seating for thousands, lets fill the stands!

Food will be available for purchase, so hang out with some good food, or bring your own to enjoy. We're trying to line up some vendors so you can visit with some of our great partners and enjoy an awesome gathering of an amazing run community.

Like all of our events, a portion of proceeds will be donated to the Children's Health Foundation in support of London's Children's Hospital.

Refund Policy:

There are no refunds for this event. However, life happens. Work trouble, running injuries, a bad paper cut, we get it. If you have to withdraw from the event by April 3rd, we will give you a 100% race credit for a future Persistence race (minus CHF donation, taxes, and fees).

If you need to withdraw after April 3rd, you will receive a 50% race credit. Sorry, but by then we will have already paid for your stuff, and the resale market for unclaimed race shirts and medals is unfavourable.

There are no bib transfers available for this event.

FAQ

1. I'm not "fast." Can I still run the Double Dash event?

Yes! As long as you can run a 5k in 35 minutes or less and a 3.2k in 25 minutes or less, you'll be able to complete your runs before the time limit. Why not challenge yourself in a fun, new race format? Also, remember for the 3.2k portion, you'll be grouped with runners who run a similar pace.

2. If I sign up for the 3 Hour Endurance run, do I have to run for the entire 3 hours?

No, you can run for as much of the three hours as you'd like. You can stop at any point. If you've got a shorter time or distance goal, feel free to stop once you've reached your goal. Remember, you can also walk whenever you need to, or sit down and rest for a bit. How you choose to use the three hours is up to you.

Persistence Racing

Thanks for running with us! Be sure to check out our full roster of events at our website.