#ReFridgee8er is a road race in Waterloo, Ontario that marks the beginning of the annual Run Waterloo racing calendar. This annual event offers runners an opportunity to test their fitness after a winter of rest or training for spring races. Since 1998, this race strives to maintain a community-focused and family-friendly environment, open to all abilities.
2025 will be the 27th annual. The highlighted event is the historic 8 Mile distance, and this race also features a 5k and various untimed events for all ages and kids. For more information about this race, contact Lloyd Schmidt, Race Director.
Key 2025 info
Venue: Columbia Icefield (CIF) at University of Waterloo
Date: February 9, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. for 8 mile and 1.88k fun run; 10:55 a.m. for 5k; 11:45 a.m. for 200m
Events: 8MI and 5K timed distances; 1.88k and 200m fun runs
Participant cap: This race has not announced a participant cap.
Event recaps: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 (Skipped during pandemic) | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013
Run Waterloo is a non-profit that couldn’t provide racing experiences without partners like these. Thank you!
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 Elmira & Elora |
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Event categories and awards
Individual event categories
One per participant
- 8MI – Up to age 19 | 20 – 29 | 30 – 39 | 40 – 49 | 50 – 59 | 60 – 69 | 70+ | Weight F160+ / M190+lbs | Walking
- 5K – Up to age 12 | 13 – 15 | 16 – 19 | 20 – 29 | 30 – 39 | 40 – 49 | 50 – 59 | 60 – 69 | 70+ | Weight F160+ / M190+lbs | Walking
Team event categories
Not limited to one per participant. Teams only include participants of the same timed event. Participants can join multiple teams through Race Roster editable data.
- Open (min 5 person team)
- Parent/Child (2 person team)
- Spouses (2 person team)
Awards
In every timed event, without duplication, recognition goes as follows:
Individual award plates
To the top three overall, then to the top three masters, then to the top three in each event category.
All unclaimed award plates will be available for pickup at Runners’ Choice any time after the race for one month.
Courses
These are the 2024 courses, which are pending approval for 2025.
8 Mile
Course map
Two complete loops of Columbia Lake, with no turnarounds but three cul-de-sacs. Start and Finish at the same spot on Frank Tompa Drive; Frank Tompa is only used for the Start and Finishing stretch.
5k
Course map
One complete loop of Columbia Lake, with an identical finish to the 8 miler. The start is further up Frank Tompa to ensure accurate distance.
Course Notes and Rules
- Certification: Certified by Athletics Canada.
- Approval: Courses are subject to approval.
- Support: Updates on water stations will be provided as soon as they have been determined.
- Marking: It is every participant’s responsibility to know the course and the race assumes no responsibility for any missed turns. Each turn will be marshaled and signed.
- Time limit: 10 minutes per kilometer. Starting at the half way mark, if a participant does not reach a km mark by this calculated time, the participant will be asked to move to the sidewalk and finish the race as a pedestrian, unassisted by race support. Participants are asked to familiarize themselves with the course route if this situation might be a possibility to them. We wish to minimize traffic disruption caused by our event, and value the support of Police services regarding participant safety.
Registration and kit pickup
Registration
Online through Race Roster, until 9:30am on race day (February 11) or until the race sells out – whichever happens first. No refunds. Transfers and deferrals are available for a $15 fee through Race Roster. More information is available in the participant waiver in Race Roster.
Scheduled kit pickups
Friday, February 7: kit pickup at Runners’ Choice, 55 Erb. St. E. Waterloo 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 8: kit pickup at Runners’ Choice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 9: kit pickup 9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Available discounts
RW Members save 25% on races.
Run groups such as H+P, Rarebits, and LP FIT save 10% on all events. Contact your coach for access; contact us to get your group approved.
If you belong to a corporate team, reach out to access a group discount for your crew. Designed for groups of 5+.
Pre and post race
This information is from 2024 to give you an idea of what’s in store for 2025.
This race is an outdoor race, with the only indoor component being washrooms in CIF. Before the race (kit pickup and bag check) and after the race (awards, food including pizza) are all in tents on Frank Tompa Dr.
You may have participated in any of a number of races at CIF in recent years, hosted out of Lot W, CIF, Fieldhouse, Warrior Field, and Field 5&7. We can’t thank the University of Waterloo and Warrior Athletics enough for continuing to host us and for this particular race, we are outdoors. Please only enter the building for the purposes of washrooms, and only by the designated entrance off Frank Tompa Dr through the gravel parking lot. Thank you.
Accessibility info
Run Waterloo would like to assist in breaking down barriers faced by runners with disabilities. In 2019, we created the position of Accessibility Coordinator, who will answer your questions regarding assistance, accommodations, and venue and course information. Contact Deirdre at [email protected].
We offer discounts for any guide runners. Please contact our accessibility coordinator at this email address for further information.
Elite info
At Run Waterloo, we value elite and sub-elite athletes that contribute to strong fields. There are a limited number of elite entry spots available for this race. Contact [email protected] to learn more about our entry standards, and apply below:
Note: deadline for elite entry to this race is February 1, 2025.
Photos
Run Waterloo events include hundreds or thousands of photos posted to our Flickr page, all free for download and use. They are also tagged directly to the results.
Race history
The Fridgee-Eighter was a popular road race from the late 1970’s to 1986 which ran out of the old YMCA on Lincoln Road in Waterloo. It consisted of one event, an 8 mile race that drew a competitive field and attracted elite runners from all over Ontario. In years of good weather, the winning time was sometimes below 40:00. (Do you have results? Please share!) This race ceased after 1986 when the organizing track club, the WCAAA, folded.
Run Waterloo responded to great community interest by bringing this event back in 1998. After seven years as an 8 kilometre event only, the historic 8 mile event was re-introduced in 2005 and is the premiere distance once again. In its current iteration, this race formerly started at Federation Hall before finding a home at RIM Park for many years.
