You’ve trained hard, raised money for an amazing cause, and it’s time for the Sporting Life 10k! With less than a week to go, we’re sharing our last minute tips to help you get race ready. From the right gear to day-of tips, we’ve got you covered, Toronto.

Packet Pick-Up

The first (and probably most important!) step to getting ready for the 10k is to pick up your race packet! Come to our Yonge Street store at 2665 Yonge Street from Tuesday May 9-Friday May 12 9:30am-9:00pm or Saturday May 13 9am-6pm. You need to get your bib in order to be able to run. Come early to pick up your bib and shirt! You will need your bib number, which will be emailed to you on Monday May 8. Please bring a piece of photo ID or printout of your registration confirmation email. Can’t make it? You can send a friend to pick up your gear for you! All they need is your bib number(s). They will also need an e-mail stating that they can pick up your bib and shirt on your behalf or a copy of your email registration confirmation.

Plan Your Day

Be sure to have a plan on race day! The start line is four blocks south of Sporting Life, 2400 Yonge St (at Yonge St. and Roselawn Ave.). From there, the course heads south (downhill) on Yonge Street all the way to Richmond Street. It then turns west on Richmond St. W, through the Entertainment District, continues south on Peter St./Blue Jays Way past “Gretzky’s” to Front St. The course then goes west along Front St., south on Bathurst St., and then west on Fort York Blvd. to the finish line!

One of the tricky things about getting ready for the 10k is finding your way to the starting line. This is the largest run in Toronto and will provide you with an experience like no other! Remember to give yourself plenty of time as there will be 25,000 people in this event, so everything from toilets to driving will take longer than normal. We suggest plotting your route before Sunday morning, and we strongly recommend that you carpool, take a taxi or take the TTC Yonge St. bus as there is only limited parking available on the side streets surrounding Sporting Life. ALL PARTICIPANTS must be in their corral 15 minutes prior to the start of their “wave” – be sure to arrive early to get settled! If you want to check your bag, you can do so just North of our Yonge Street store from 6-7am.

Visit the Sporting Life 10k website for a full rundown of race day!

Gear Up

With New Balance sponsoring the Sporting Life 10k, you don’t need to look to any other brand for your perfect running outfit! The forecast currently calls for rain, but who knows what Mother Nature will decide to throw our way! It is best to be prepared with layers and technical running attire. A waterproof outer layer is crucial for a morning run – 10k won’t be fun if you’re soaked! If you decide not to wear the official Sporting Life 10k tee, be sure to pick a top with moisture wicking fabric. Tights or shorts should be breathable and comfortable as well. While you may not want to get brand new shoes a week before the race, there is still time to break in the perfect new pair of runners! The Vazee Pace V2 by New Balance offers excellent support and style, allowing you to run faster and feel stronger than ever before.

Be Prepared

It is important to fuel your body before and after you run. It is recommended to eat about 1.5 hours before your run to give your body time to digest and provide your body with needed energy. Fuel tired muscles with our GU energy drink mixes, gel and chews created for daily training. They contain carbohydrates to keep you fueled, electrolytes that aid in hydration and amino acids that reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage. Try Honey Stinger energy chews and waffles for an energy boost on the go.

Hydration is just as important as being well-fueled. Drink up to 20oz of water prior to your run and continue to drink water as you run to avoid dehydration. There are hydration stations along the route, but if you are concerned about getting thirsty, there are plenty of hydration packs available to easily carry with you through your run!