The Waterloo Classic is Waterloo Region’s oldest and largest 10k race. The Father’s Day tradition began in 1978 and is still going strong, bringing families and the running community in general together for a fun summer morning!
This race has it all: a strong and supportive community, open to all, live band, competitive field, great food, prizes, finisher medals, and much more. Since 2016, this race has been hosted by University of Waterloo Athletics, fundraising for various causes such as the Athletics Development Fund.
For more information about this 48th annual event, contact Lloyd Schmidt, Race Director.
Key 2025 info
Venue: Columbia Icefield, University of Waterloo, start location on Frank Tompa Dr.
Dates: Saturday June 14 & Sunday June 15, 2025
Time: Saturday, 6:00 p.m. | Sunday, 8:30 a.m.
Events: 10k | 5k | 3k | 200m | Big Dipper & Little Dipper
Race capacity: TBD. In 2024 this race sold out at 1,500 participants and will plan for at least that many in 2025.
Recent event recaps: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016
Individual event categories and awards
Categories
During registration each timed (10k,3k,5k) participant must choose to compete in one of these category types:
- 10k Age Groups: up to 19 | 20 – 24 | 25 – 29 | 30 – 34 | 35 – 39 | 40 – 44 | 45 – 49 | 50 – 54 | 55 – 59 | 60 – 64 | 65 – 69 | 70+
- 3k/5k Age Groups: up to 9 | 10 – 12 | 13 – 15 | 16 – 19 | 20 – 24 | 25 – 29 | 30 – 34 | 35 – 39 | 40 – 44 | 45 – 49 | 50 – 54 | 55 – 59 | 60 – 64 | 65 – 69 | 70+
- 10k/3k/5k Weight Categories: F160+lbs | F185+lbs | M190+lbs | M215+lbs
- 10k/3k/5k Adaptive Athlete
- 10k/3k/5k Walker
Awards
In these categories, without duplication, recognition goes as follows:
- To the top three overall, then
- To the top three masters, then
- To the top three in every other event category.
Notes
- Participants choose this during registration and it is available as editable data in Race Roster until the Tuesday at midnight before the race.
- Within a minute of finishing, participants can visit the results kiosk for a sticker printout of their time and stats, and if applicable, award plate for any of the above categories.
- The engraved plate sticks in the recess of your finisher medal. This kiosk runs while the race is still running and for a short while after, so participants don’t need to wait for anything.
- Any unclaimed stickers and medal plates will be available by participant request at a future Run Waterloo event or for pickup at Runners’ Choice Waterloo.
Prize money
- 5 KM Overall, Men and Women:
- 1st – $450 | 2nd – $300 | 3rd – $200 | 4th – $150 | 5th – $100
- Potential overall prize money winners not under 15:00 (men) and 17:00 (women) are discounted by 50%.
- 5 KM Masters, Men and Women:
- 1st – $200 | 2nd – $100 | 3rd – $50
- Potential masters prize money winners not under 17:30 (men) and 20:00 (women) are discounted by 50%.
- Time-Based Incentives:
- Sub 30:00 (men) and 34:00 (women)
- For up to three athletes who beat (not tie) these times, the winner would receive $250, a second place result would receive $150, and a third place result would receive $75.
Note: Prize money distribution will differ from medal distribution in cases where the Overall placing priority reduces prize money earned for a faster runner.
- Sub 30:00 (men) and 34:00 (women)
Team categories and awards
Categories
During registration, each 5k participant has the option to join or create a team in any of these five category types:
- Parent Child (2 person team)
- Spouse (2 person team)
- Open (min 5 person team)
- Corporate (min 3 person team)
- School (min 3 person team)
Awards
- We award engraved plates for top-3 teams in each team category.
- If applicable, participants would choose which earned award they prefer to stick to their medal (individual or team).
- Team awards are only ready after the timed event completely finishes.
Prize money
- Open Team:
- 1st – $100 (minimum 5 eligible teams in the official results)
Notes
- Any team can only include participants of the same timed event. For example, one spouse in the 10k and the other spouse in the 3k can not be counted on the same team.
- Any individual can join one team per category. Any individual can join teams in as many different categories as they want. To join multiple teams, participants can “write-in” the team name in the “Join additional teams” text box found in registration and editable data in Race Roster.
- Any unclaimed stickers and medal plates will be available by participant request at a future Run Waterloo event or for pickup at Runners’ Choice Waterloo.
Courses: Maps, Rules, and Time Limit
10 KM
Sunday 8:30 a.m. | Map | three water stations at about the 2.5k, 5k., and 7.5k mark
3 KM
Sunday 8:30 a.m. | Interactive map | one water station at about the 1.75k mark
5 KM
Saturday 6:00 p.m. | Interactive map | one water station at about the 3k mark
200m
Sunday 10:15 a.m. | The kids 200m is a small loop from the Finish line.
Notes
- These map links are designed primarily to show two things: where the start/finish locations are and where the routes/turns are. They are not manipulated to show a 10.0000km on the website. The measurements are done in real life and you can rest assured that all three courses are measured distances and certified by Athletics Canada.
- The 10k is has a slight but significant change from 2023 and previous years; the start/finish line is pushed slightly west along Frank Tompa Dr. (away from Hagey Blvd.) and the two loops don’t use Frank Tompa Dr. between the loops (there is no turnaround at 5k).
- The 3k diverts from the 10k on Columbia in the first kilometre. It uses a scenic section of the Laurel Trail before joining up with the 10k on Frank Tompa. The vast majority of 3ks will be finished before the 10ks arrive at the finish.
Course Rules
- 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. Courses are pending approval and may change with municipal needs.
Time limit
- 10 minutes per kilometre. Starting at the half way mark of the 10k, 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.
Participant swag
Stay tuned for the 2025 brand. Below is the 2024 brand.
T-shirts are available for purchase during registration and in the Product Store. Before buying a shirt, consult our sizing guide for ATC.
All finishers (including the 200m) earn a finisher medal in a similar design.
University of Waterloo
In its 46 year history, this race has supported dozens of charities. For the past number of years, we have been lucky to collaborate with the University of Waterloo as both host and charitable partner.
This race is a fundraiser for the Athletics Development Fund, as well as sponsors the Waterloo 10km Classic Cross Country Excellence Awards.
Getting to the race
Active Transportation: We encourage various methods of active transportation. You can arrive to campus from offsite by walking or lock your bike up at CIF.
Grand River Transit: Use this route planner to make your way to CIF. The closest ION stations are Research & Technology (from north) and University of Waterloo (from south).
Parking and carpooling: We strongly recommend carpooling. Parking is free in Lot X.
Race weekend info and VENUE MAP
Post-race
All post-race information is subject to confirmation for 2025. Below is an idea of what we did in 2023.
What’s not to love about this post race? Live band, great food, Waterloo Brewing, Domino’s Pizza, and a vibrant atmosphere to cheer in your friends.
Notes:
- Start/Finish line: Frank Tompa (300m from Lot X, 200m from Field House)
- Gravel lot: pedestrian access between Frank Tompa and Field House, and auxiliary portable washrooms
- Field House: Kit Pickup, Bag Check, Awards, Main Washrooms
- Grass field: Band, Bouncy Castle, Food, Water, Domino’s, Waterloo Brewing, ASICS, Runners’ Choice
Important:
- No access to CIF building, Lot W, or Warrior Field. Only approach race from Frank Tompa Dr, not from Hagey through CIF
- For access to Field House: NO FOOD. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD.
Registration and kit pickup
Registration Options and Policy
Online through Race Roster. No refunds. Entries can be transferred or deferred for a $15 fee. Deadline is June 11th at midnight. E-transfer to [email protected] to get it started. More information is available in the participant waiver.
Kit pickups and race weekend registration
Friday, June 13: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Runners’ Choice Waterloo
Saturday, June 14: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Runners’ Choice Waterloo
Saturday, June 14: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Field 7 at Columbia Icefield
Sunday, June 15: 6:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. at North Campus Fieldhouse
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 for elite entry here.
Note: deadline for elite entry to this race is June 8, 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 Waterloo Classic 10 KM Road Race is the oldest continuing race of it’s kind in Waterloo Region.
Its long and storied history is one of sporting and community tradition since the inaugural event in 1978. It was held at University Stadium (formerly Seagram Stadium) every year from 1978 – 2014 except for 2014 and 2007, when it was displaced by stadium construction. Since 2015, it has been displaced by LRT construction. We are currently sifting through the boxes of newspaper clippings and black & white photos to share these stories; for example, did you know that once in the early 1990s, it snowed?
Rich Hughson won the inaugural running in a time of 31:39. Through various course changes, the event record today is 29:46 by Paul Lockhart in 1985 (which beat his brother Greg Lockhart’s 1981 record by ONE second!) Jackie Mota holds the female record at 33:47 in 1997. Overall, we have seen 5 sub-30 times throughout the years, and with 5, Clive Hamilton holds the record for most victories.
One of our favourite stories comes from 1988, when two runners who would represent Canada in Seoul later that fall ran the Classic. Doug Consiglio (Canadian 1500m champion) and Peter Maher (Canadian marathoner) competed in the 10 KM. Of the two Olympians, who would come out with the win? Explore the full records here.
The 3 KM (1996) and 5 KM (1997) events were added in the 1990s to meets the modern needs of families and all types of runners. But the 10 KM distance remains the signature challenge of The Waterloo 10 KM Classic.
For the past 43 years, The Classic has raised money for such worthy organizations as Child Find, Red Cross, Food Bank, Canadian Diabetes Association, Lung Association, Crohn’s and Colitis, K-W Habilitation Services, The Waterloo Recreation Complex, K-W Firefighters Defibrillation Program, The Betty Thompson Youth Centre, Citizens Concerened with Crime against Children, the Hospice of Waterloo Region, C.O.D. Riding Program, K-W Counselling Services, K-W Special Olympics, Books for Birthdays, Freeport Hospital, Heartwood Place, Extend-A-Family, University of Waterloo Women’s Sport Initiative, and local amateur athletics.
Race results and records
