Robbie Burns Day Road Races
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Event details
The Robbie Burns Day Road Races are scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026, in downtown Burlington, Ontario, with the Burlington Performing Arts Centre listed as the event venue. The event offers the following distances:
- 8 km run and walk - two laps of a 4 km loop
- 4 km run and walk - one flat loop through downtown Burlington
Registration includes a finisher medal, post-race oatmeal, awards, and bag check. Results are chip-timed. Live bagpipes will send off racers, and there is an award for best costume. The event raises funds for local groups including the Fit Active Beautiful Foundation and the Burlington Track and Field Club.
Course, safety and logistics
The start and finish are on Elgin Street next to the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The 4 km loop runs clockwise on Elgin, Maple, Richmond, Hager, Olga and Brant, returning to Elgin. 8 km participants complete the loop twice. Runners must be able to complete 4 km within 45 minutes and 8 km within 90 minutes; there is an interim cutoff at 4 km and a course reopening policy after the time limits. Marshals and police are posted at major intersections, but there are unmonitored driveways. Participants are asked to stay within the coned course and are discouraged from wearing headphones for safety.
Bag check is free and located inside the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Advanced bib and kit pickup is available the day before at the Running Room store in Burlington. Transfers and deferrals are allowed by set deadlines for a fee; refunds are not issued. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
