Summer Solstice 2024

Howdy Runners! Please read the following information and register if you intend to participate in the TORONTO TRAIL RUNNERS Annual Summer Solstice.

Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Location: Sunnybrook Park (meet here at Summer Solstice Run Base (google maps link))
Time: 5:30pm-sunset (10:00pm)

To make the most of the longest day of the year, we will run trails until the sun goes down! This year we will run laps of a well-marked approximately 6km route, from 6:30 PM until sunset (around 9:10 PM*). All paces are welcome, and runners can decide how many loops of the course they would like to run. Cut-off time to begin your last loop will be at 8:20 PM.

This year’s summer Solstice will be co-hosted by Salomon Running, Rally Beer and Xact. The run will be in support of Don’t Mess with the Don.  We are still working on collecting some amazing prizes and working out the details.  If you or your company would like to donate prizes to the event please talk to one of our leads or email us at info@torontotrailrunners.ca.

Food and refreshments will be available at 7:30 PM until supplies last.

Fundraising: This run is a fundraiser for the Don’t Mess with the Don charity, working to keep the trails of the Don Valley ravine clean and protected. Don’t Mess with the Don was started by trail runners who saw abuses of Toronto trails and organized to help clean up, advocate, and restore the trails we run. Tax receipts are provided for any donation over $25. Please donate here: https://www.dontmesswiththedon.ca/summersolstice

There are no UTMB points awarded and NO! This is not a WSER qualifier. This is a FUN run to enjoy the longest day of the year with the GTA running community. Please keep this in mind for the duration of the evening. Please meet here at Summer Solstice Run Base (google maps link)

Run Info: This run will be an open course so please be aware of other trail users (hikers, bikers, dogs) as well as cars at the park road crossing. The course opens at 6:30 PM, and participants can start running loops. There will be an 8:30 PM cutoff to start the last loop. If you plan to start right at 6:30 PM please arrive early to pick up your race bib.

Flagging: The route will be flagged as of 4:30 PM on Wednesday. You will see orange flags approximately every 100m. There will also be orange flags. What do orange flags mean? Orange flags will be alongside blue flags and they will represent the start/finish of a Strava segment. (See below for prizes per segment)

Aid Stations: Skratch and water are on site. Please bring your cups and vessels.

Timing: There are no official timing services/timing chips. Strava will be required for some prizes, so if you don’t have an account, please create one and get familiar with the app.  www.strava.com

Download the Route here:

Summer Solstice Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2973588753251354530 Summer Solstice Garmin Route: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/163925410 Summer Solstice Run Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/32055861

Segment List:

• Gundy Woods to Dog Park [Hillier Trail Section]: https://www.strava.com/segments/7439467
• “A little asphalt for our road running friends” [Flat stretch of paved trail by Dog park]: https://www.strava.com/segments/32055883
• Horse Stable Uphill [Steep Hill Climb] https://www.strava.com/segments/11082132
• Sunnybrook Forest Trail Full [Flatter trail section around the park]: https://www.strava.com/segments/25438079

The following will be prize categories (to be confirmed): (W=Women, M=Men, NB=Nonbinary)

We have four options for gender sign-up: Woman, Man, Nonbinary, and Participant (prefer not to disclose). If you choose Participant (prefer not to disclose) you will not be considered for gendered awards but will still be considered for non-gendered prizes.

• The runners with the fastest loops (W/M/NB)
• The runners with the most loops (W/M/NB)
• The runner with the fastest segment: (Horse Stable Hill ONLY, all others are for bragging rights)
• The run crew with the most combined loops
• The runner who is the Best Dressed/costume
• Runners whose ballots are randomly drawn from a hat (runners will get one ballot per lap completed).

What to Bring:

• Headlamp if you plan on running until the end.
• Hydration and nutrition. Please bring your own.

Demo Shoes: Salomon Running will have demo shoes on site, the Genesis and Thundercross. Test out a pair for a loop!  Limited sizes, first come first serve so please arrive early to be fitted.

Thanks to our run co-hosts Salomon Running and Rally Beer, and Xact Nutrition. Special thanks to Summit 700, Pasture Dash, Gotta Run Racing, MarsQuest, Run Trails with Jenn, IceSpike, Delta Waterloo, and the Toronto Arrows for so many awesome prizes! Food and refreshments will be available at 7:30 PM.

Please Read and acknowledge our Participation Waiver

NEW: About nonbinary inclusion at TTR Summer Solstice

We recognize that although there are lots of nonbinary and gender non-conforming runners out there, many races still operate on a binary (women/men, female/male) prizing and results model. This binary model puts many gender non-conforming runners into a difficult position; to choose a gender category that doesn’t affirm who they are.

Last year, for the first time we opened registration to nonbinary runners. We are still learning, but have created an FAQ to guide nonbinary runners through some initial questions prior to signup. Please read below and if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, email us at info@torontotrailrunners.ca.

Why do you ask for pronouns in the registration form and how will they be used?
The registration list will be viewed and accessed by the event leads team. We will take note of runners’ pronouns prior to the event, and use them correctly when announcing or addressing runners and winners.

If I sign up as nonbinary, will I be considered for a prize?
Yes! Two of our prize categories are gendered: the runner with the fastest loop (W/M/NB) and the runner with the most loops (W/M/NB). For each of these categories, one woman, one man, and one nonbinary runner will be announced at the event and win a prize. The rest of the categories are not broken down according to gender and will be selected from all participants.

If I don’t want to be considered for gendered prizes, but still want to run, what do I do?
If you do not want to sign up in the gendered categories, please sign up as “Participant (prefer not to disclose)” upon registration. You will not be considered for gendered categories, but you will still have the chance to win prizes from the non-gendered categories.

Will results be posted online?
This is a community event and we don’t use chip timing or a race tracking platform. Therefore timing results will not be posted online. However, after the race is done, we share the names of the winners for each categories on social media (IG, Facebook, newsletter, etc.). If this is a concern for you, please talk to one of our leads.

How do you calculate race results?
We use Strava results to identify the winners. Strava is still somewhat limited in its nonbinary categories (leaderboards, etc.). When calculating the results the leads team works behind the scenes to identify the winning nonbinary runners. So please ensure you add your Strava handle when you register so we can be sure to find you.

Will there be a nonbinary washroom for me available on-site?
There will be portopotties available on site and they are not assigned/designated according to gender.