Robbie Burns Day Road Races
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Event information
The Robbie Burns Day Road Races take place on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust Street, Burlington, Ontario. The event offers the following distances:
- 8 km - two laps of a 4 km loop
- 4 km - one flat loop through downtown Burlington
The start and finish are on Elgin Street next to the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The course runs clockwise through downtown streets; 8 km participants complete the 4 km loop twice. Participants must complete the first 4 km within 45 minutes and the full 8 km within 90 minutes; after those cutoffs, participants are asked to continue unsupervised on sidewalks. The course is marked with pylons and has marshals and police at major intersections, but there are many unmonitored driveways.
Services, rules, and logistics
Race registration includes a custom finisher medal, post-race oatmeal, awards, and free bag check inside the venue. Results are chip-timed. Live bagpipes are part of the start ceremony and there is an award for best costume. Advanced race kit pickup is available at the Running Room store in Burlington on the day before the race. A bib mail-out option is available for a fee and until two weeks before the event.
Parking is available in municipal lots near the venue, including a municipal parking garage on Locust Street; some nearby lots are not free and participants are asked not to park at the No Frills Plaza. Headphones are strongly discouraged. The event supports local fundraising organizations including the Fit Active Beautiful Foundation and the Burlington Track & Field Club. No refunds are issued; transfers and deferrals are allowed for set fees and cutoff dates. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
