The Waterloo 10 KM Classic

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 47th 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

Event categories and awards

Individual event categories

One per participant

10 KM- up to 19 | 20 – 24 | 25 – 29 | 30 – 34 | 35 – 39 | 40 – 44 | 45 – 49 | 50 – 54 | 55 – 59 | 60 – 64 | 65 – 69 | 70+ | Weight F160+ / M190+lbs | Weight F185+ / M215+lbs | Walking
5 KM & 3 KM – 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+ | Weight F160+ / M190+lbs | Weight F185+ / M215+lbs | Walking

Team event categories

Participant can be on multiple teams. Participants must be in the same timed event to be counted on the same team.

Spouse (2 person team)
Parent-Child (2 person team)
School (min 3 person team)
Corporate (min 3 person team)
Open (min 5 person team)

Award Plates

In all timed events, without duplication, recognition goes as follows:
Individual awards
To the top three overall, then to the top three masters, then to the top three in each event category.
Team awards
To the first place team in each team category.
All unclaimed awards will be available for pickup at Runners’ Choice any time from Tuesday, June 20, to Thursday, July 20, 2024.

Prize money – 10k
In the 10k, without duplication, recognition goes as follows:

10 KM Overall, Men and Women:
- 1st – $450 | 2nd – $300 | 3rd – $200 | 4th – $150 | 5th – $100
- Potential overall prize money winners not under 33:00 (men) and 37:00 (women) are discounted by 50%.
10 KM Masters, Men and Women:
- 1st – $200 | 2nd – $100 | 3rd – $50
- Potential masters prize money winners not under 36:00 (men) and 41:00 (women) are discounted by 50%.
Open Team:
- 1st – $100 (minimum 5 eligible teams in the official results)
Time-Based Incentives:
- Sub 30:00 (men) and sub 34:00 (women)
  - For up to three men and three women 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.

Courses: Maps, Rules, and Time Limit

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