Recapping the Festive Fun at the 38th Annual Nuvo Iron Egg Nog Jog

There was a fantastic turnout at the 38th Annual Nuvo Iron Eggnog Jog that took place over the weekend in Caledon, ON. The Trillium Running Series event followed a two-day, socially distant format with races beginning in 30 minute intervals.

Race Director Barrie Shepley believes it might have been the biggest race in Canada since COVID struck in March. 900 athletes ran in the COVID SAFETY 5km winter tradition. Among the participants, AO had 135 members in attendance! “Instead of 900 people leaving at once, to be safe, we did the race in 36 waves, leaving every 30 minutes for two days” said Shepley. With just 25 people per wave, athletes could be safely distanced apart. Everyone wore masks until the gun went off and post race food was Drive Thru at Tim Hortons and awards were mailed out after the two day event.

“There was such a desire for an actual race, that our volunteer committee just felt we had to find a way to give runners an actual event in 2020” said Shepley. The event occurred at the Woodington Lakes Golf Course in Tottenham on their ever rolling paved cart pathways. “Runners were surprised how challenging the 2 x 2.5km loop was and how lucky everyone was to have two days at 9c and sunny at the end of November” said the race director.

Roman Mironov and Alexandra Lucki of Toronto West Athletics were first across the line, but the real winners were the many age groups of athletes who didn’t think they would get to race in 2020.

The event had some unique things going on. “Jessey the Elf” ran in all 36 waves over two days and was an exhausted but content Elf by Sunday evening. The event was raising funds for Bethell House, a local hospice in Caledon that does amazing things for families in need. “There are 20 reasons why the event could have been cancelled during the COVID race season, but the smiles on the faces of the runners was the reason that the volunteer committee put in two twelve hour days to allow 900 people to race” says Shepley. Those who felt uncomfortable coming to the race for any reason, were given the option of a virtual 5km (and their entire race swag was mailed to them).

Race director, Barrie Shepley, had a few additional things to say, “While we certainly hope we don’t have another spring and summer like we did this past year, our C3 Canadian Cross Training Club found we could accommodate and find creative ways to allow Ontario’s runners to have a great – safe – fun event. We have many people to thank but top of the list include Nuvo Iron (our sponsor who stuck with us), Woodington Lakes Golf Course, Athletics Ontario, Marc Roy and Sport Stats for their leadership and wisdom, Kelly and Mark Arnott for their help and support, and the key C3 volunteers who spent 2 full days volunteering so that people could get their one and only real race in 2020.”

Results are now available below:

Overall Results

Trillium Running Series Age Graded Results

You can see some of the 2000 pictures at:

https://trishots.com/index.php?/category/187

Take a look at the post race video:

https://youtu.be/wFac4uJvc48