A Look At The New Route For This Weekend's YMCA Half Marathon In Peterborough

Alana Callan (middle) at the start of last year's YMCA Half MarathonThis weekend, I decided to try out the new YMCA Half Marathon route. I have never run an unfamiliar race route before race day, and since the route has changed and runs through the city of Peterborough this year, I decided to give it a try.

The 21.1 km route begins at the YMCA located on Alymer street and takes runners through familiar aspects of the city. Many parts of the route are regular running routes for locals (around the Lake, out to Trent etc.). Runners leave the YMCA and run up Alymer Street to Perry Street and proceed down Crescent Street past the Little Lake Cemetery and then head to Lansdowne Street. From Lansdowne, you run up to Ashburnham Road past the canal and turn on Hunter to go through the Lift Lock tunnel and up and over "Museum Hill" and turn down Armour Road. Runners take a long trip down Armour Road to the turn-around.

It is an "out and back" route, and on the way out I had decided I hate "out and back" routes. But once I turned and headed back, I decided I quite liked running "out and back," as the run back was nicely familiar. Runners who have run the YMCA Half Marathon in the past few years will enjoy this new route for the change of scenery. I don't think I'll need to "draft" behind another runner this year as I have done in the past while running out by the airport and battling the wind.

There are four water and toilet stations this year, and I've been told that the local fire department will be taking care of the water station near the Peterborough Lift Lock.

The 33rd annual YMCA Half Marathon in Peterborough is in support of the YMCA's Annual Strong Kids Campaign, which encourages the healthy growth and development of Peterborough's youth. There is still time to register for this great event. It takes place this Sunday (February 27) starting at 12:30 p.m. and you can choose either the 5 km or 21.1 km race. There is also a kids 1 km fun run which is very fun to watch.

Click here for a PDF of the detailed route map.

[Contributed by Alana Callan]

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PtboPics: Family Day At Ontario Speed Skating Oval In Lakefield

There was a great crowd out today for Family Day at the Oval in Lakefield. Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal was out with his family (see his picture below), and the ice conditions were pretty good considering the warm weather we've had of late, so kudos to the ice crew. People were able to try speed skates which were made available, and there were hot dogs and hot chocolate being served. It was fun in the sun.

[Ontario Speed Skating Oval]

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10 Security Cameras Could Be Coming To Downtown Peterborough

[chextvDOTcom]

Thoughts? Good idea? Pros and cons?

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High Winds Knock Sign Over, Bring Branches Down, Blow Garbage Bags Around

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Fundraiser Alert! Get Your Boogie On At Splice For Peterborough Green-Up

Mark this on your calendars: Green Eyewear Optical has organized a disco party fundraiser for Peterborough Green-Up called "Green-Up Fever" that takes place Saturday, February 26th, starting at 8 p.m. at Splice (379 George St.).

At the fundraiser, there will be a live band, a 50/50 draw, a live auction and so much more it's ridiculous—including lots of crazy dance moves.

Tickets are $25, and can be purchased at Green Eyewear Optical, which is located in the heart of downtown at 374 George St.

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Amazing: Peterborough's Scott Cannata Will Be Running Across Canada For Cancer Research

As part of his "Run to Live" campaign, Trent University student Scott Cannata will be running from coast to coast starting May 1st, 2011 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. His goal: to run 42 kilometres per day for 209 days—a total of 8,778 kilometres. All to raise money for cancer research.

[Camerasacrosscanada.com, Facebook.com/theruntolive, Twitter.com/theruntolive, Youtube.com/theruntolive]

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What You Would Do With Peterborough Square

Photo: Evan HoltSo we recently posed the question on Twitter, "Peterborough Square. If someone handed you the building, clean slate, what would you do with it?" We received a range of interesting answers. Among them:

-- "Demolish it, build a public square & park around Market Hall with ice rink, outdoor stage, greenspace. Parking underground." —Candace Shaw

-- "Peterborough Square: Casino!" —David Feeley

-- "Dr offices. Professional buiding." —Paul Laing

-- "Ptbo Square partly demolished. Keep the theatre and leave the lower level for offices. Above should be a conference centre!" —Justin Beaudoin

-- "Convention centre, arboretum w/ space for farmer's market, town square." —Bill Juby

-- "PTBO Square should be an international flea market." —Catherine Hanrahan

Several people on Twitter really liked Candace Shaw's idea above, with Alana Callan remarking, "It would really put the focus back on downtown as a communal place, the 'heart' of the city."

So what do you think? Perfect world, what would you do with Peterborough Square? Leave it as is? Tweak? Radical change? Comment below, or elaborate on some of the thoughts above. 

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An Adventure With The Kawartha Wilds Tracking Club

Craig Brant from Kawartha Wilds Tracking Club showed us how to identify tracks in the snow. 

Kawartha Wilds Tracking Club and 14 other people met at the Environment Centre recently to explore the nearby trails. The beauty of the adventure was taking the time to slow down and take a closer look at just how many animals had walked through the freshly fallen snow. By looking at the distance between tracks and the width of the indentation, we were able to identify the tracks of songbirds, mice, deer, grouse, fox and an ermine. Kawartha Wilds Tracking Club goes out once a month to identify tracks and record what biodiversity exists around us.

[Words and picture by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Stuff To Do In The Patch This Weekend (Including Watching A Polar Plunge!)

Saturday:

Peterborough Symphony Orchestra presents Latin Heat featuring Marion Newman - Showplace Performance Centre - 8 p.m.

Africville Productions presents Celebrating Difference - The Venue - 8 p.m., Tickets $25 at the door

Sunday:

Kawartha Wilds Tracking Club - 9 a.m., meet at the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre. An opportunity to track and trail local wildlife (map) - FREE 

Family Sundays at Art Gallery of Peterborough - 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., FREE

31st Annual Polar Plunge (see graphic at right), Rotary Park, Ennismore - 2 p.m.

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Peterborough Police Advising Motorists To Stay Off The Roads If Possible

From Peterborough-Lakefield Community Police Service...

Winter Road Conditions:
With the present weather and road conditions, motorists are asked to stay off the roads. If you have to travel, please adjust your driving to the weather conditions. Drive with the utmost care and caution, lower your speeds, drive defensively and always be prepared for the unexpected.

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