Known for its gold and quartz mining heritage and its wilderness forests and small lakes, Timmins is also home to several world-class individual endurance events. There’s something for every age, interest and season, like a cross-country ski race for families and individual adults, a kayaking festival with nine competitive divisions from beginner to advanced, and the annual Heart of Gold Triathlon or the Golden Trails Half-Marathon for the runners. So, round up your fit friends and family and head north!
The Porcupine Ski Runners Annual Loppet is a chance for the whole family to enjoy a day of cross-country skiing on over 30 kilometres of scenic and groomed trails. Whether you are a competitive skier or new to the sport, there is a distance and category for you. This race is held at the Porcupine Ski Runners Club, with its lovely new chalet facility, found 3 km from downtown Timmins. Registration, which is still open even on the day of the event, is an affordable $15 for adults, $8 for youth and $40 per family, and includes a hot lunch. There are ski and snowshoe rentals available.
If you’re travelling with a friend or family member who wants to enjoy the winter experience, but doesn’t want to ski in the race, the club has many kilometres of snowshoeing trails, where you have the chance of running into all manner of northern wildlife, from hares and snowy owls to moose.
This decade-old swimming, cycling and running tradition in the “City with a Heart of Gold” occurs in the beautiful Gillies Lake Conservation Area. There are several categories for different levels of skill: the sprint distance triathlon (individual and team), Try-a-Tri triathlon and a Kids Triathlon. Individuals and families from across the province make their way here every year to beat their personal bests and win a little prize money along the way. Registration fees for this mid-July event range between $20 and $130, depending on when you register and for which event.
This half marathon run or walk includes sub-categories, such as a two-person half marathon relay, a 5 km run or walk, and a family 2 km run or walk. The race course starts at the Timmins Regional Athletics and Soccer Complex, takes runners through the streets leading to the southern part of the city, into historical Schumacher, along Gillies Lake path and into Timmins’ beautiful nature trail system. This event awards up to $1,000 in cash prizes to top runners. Registration for the various races range from $15 to $85.
This end-of-summer festival attracts paddlers from all across North America, all vying for a piece of the $15,000 prize. With nine competitive paddling divisions, kayak clinics, a 5 km guided family paddle and a traditional shore launch, this festival continues to draw thousands of spectators. The festival provides a number of exciting activities, such as a Mighty Mattagami Pontoon Ride, and is sure to please children, families and seniors alike. On the last day of the festival, crowds will cheer on their favourite “duck” during the Alzheimer Society’s annual Rubber Duck Race. The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge and Festival registration costs between $30 and $110 as a competitor, but spectating is free.
