Routes

For runner safety, portable music devices and headphones are strongly discouraged. The Fiddlers Committee is reviewing their use, and will make a decision by April 1,2011

Fiddlers Run Course Description

The run will be conducted on open roads, with the section along Kings Road being marked off with traffic barrels allowing for a lane dedicated for runners. Please be alert for traffic at all times.

The start will be staggered to try to minimize congestion at the 5K and 10K halfway point.

Marathon, and half –marathoners will leave first, followed by 10K runners and walkers, then 5K runners and walkers. The interval between groups will be about 2-3 minutes.

Runners are asked to always bear to the right of the running lane to avoid congestion with on-coming runners.

The Route

The start/finish line is located at the north end of Sydney, on the Esplanade, just before the first entrance to Victoria Park.

There is a slight downhill for the first 500 meters to allow for a quick start, then some slight rolling up and down sections.

This continues for 1.3 K when you will pass the Sydney Fire Department station on your right, followed by a slight uphill as you follow the road along a right hand curve.

You will see Wentworth Park on your left as you come to an overhead pedestrian crossing light. This marks the 1.6K (1.0 mile) mark. A distance sign will mark the spot.

Check your time, and adjust your pace.

You then start an uphill run of approximately 400 meters where you will pass a set of traffic lights. Continue through the lights, and you will make a slight right-hand turn.

For the 5K participants, it is a short distance to the turning point for your race.

The 5K Runners/Walkers

Turn at the second entrance to the Medical Arts Building. It is a 2 story brick office building. You will go in the 2nd entrance, turn in the parking lot, run through the parking lot and return to Kings Rd.

As you return to the finish line stay on the right hand side of the running lane to avoid oncoming runners. Continuing runners will pass the 5K turning point, and continue along Kings Rd.

The next .5K will be a slight uphill grade, followed by a slight downhill, then uphill again to the 3.5K (2.2 miles) mark, where you will pass under a pedestrian crossing light.

The first water stop will be on your right, located at approximately Kings Rd/Kingswood on the old Cove senior citizens property. You will have a series of slight rolling hills until you come to the traffic lights at the 4.5K mark.

After the lights, you run 200 meters past a busy section of Kings Rd (so be very careful of traffic) to Lewis Drive where you turn right (past the Subway take-out), and down Lewis Drive (with the Sydney River Fire station on your left).

The 10 K turning point is just before the train track crossing. The second water stop will be located here. A port-a-pottie will be located here.

Half-Marathon, and Marathon Runners

Cross the tracks (be careful – it is a narrowcrossing)The half, and marathon participants continue down Lewis Drive, and at the end of Lewis make a right turn onto Keltic Drive, and cross the Sydney River Bridge, running on the sidewalk. Do Not cross Keltic Drive.

After you cross the bridge, you make a sharp turn down Sunrise Drive (at the point that the bridge guard rail ends) This is 5.4K (3.4 miles) from the start line.

Do Not continue to the traffic Lights.

You will run down Sunrise Drive, which has a short but steep downhill for about 100 meters (which you will be running up on the return), which then levels off.

At the end of Sunrise you will cross the Westmont Road (this is 6.2K (3.85 miles from the start) This is a busy road (we will have crossing guards and course marshals) but be very careful of traffic) Pay attention to instructions from the course marshals.

You now have a 4.3 K (2.7 miles) run to the turning point. This section of the run has some rolling hills, and level sections, for the next 3.6K

The 3rd water stop will be located at the 9.0K (5.6 miles) mark, at the Westmount Senior Citizens Club.

You will meet the steepest section of the route (being a 700 meter hill) which begins 9.8K (6.1 miles) from the Start line. It starts as you make a left-hand turn away from the harbour.

Shortly after the top of the hill you make a left turn, at Midgley, and enter the Westmount Legion Parking lot which is the half-way point for the half-marathoners, or the quarter point for the marathoners. The 4th water stop will be located here. A port-a-pottie will be located here.

After making the turn at the Westmount Legion, you head back down Westmount Rd, and get to enjoy the 700 meter downhill that you just ran up.

You will cross Westmount Road, and run facing traffic for the next 800 meters, until the sidewalk starts again. At that point there will be a course Marshal to direct you to cross to the side with the sidewalk.

Please run on the right hand side of the road, because the shoulder on the left hand side is quite narrow in places. Since you will be running with the traffic at your back, please run on the sidewalk.

The next 2.0K (1.25 miles) is relatively flat.

The next water stop is at the Westmount Seniors Pensioners Club (695 Westmount Rd) which is 11.95 K (7.4 miles) from the start.

Continue along Westmount Rd until Sunrise Drive, where you cross Westmount Rd.

Run along Sunrise, at the end of Sunrise there is a steep, but short (100 meter) hill before you make a sharp left and onto the Sydney River Bridge.

Cross the bridge, then make an immediate left and run along Lewis Drive.

Cross the tracks, (water stop located here) at the end of Lewis you make a left onto Kings Rd. Keep in the designated running lane along Kings Rd, and be careful of traffic turning into Kings Rd businesses.

The next water stop is located at the corner of Kings Rd and Kingswood (the old Cove property) with 3.7K (2.3 miles) to go back to the start/finish line.

Continue along Kings Rd, past the lights with the Honda dealership on your right, then a good 500 meter downhill section to get the legs moving.

The last water stop is at the bottom of the downhill, at the 1.6K (1.0 mile) mark to go to the Finish line.

The marathoners will make a turn at the Start/Finish line and repeat the course.

There will be a water stop for the marathoners just after they start their second loop.

Click here to view a map of the route.