STRIDE TOY RUN 2025

Join us on Sunday, December 7th for our Annual Stride Toy Run!

This Christmas season, we’re inviting our community to come together and make an even bigger impact. In past years, we asked participants to bring a toy for the Salvation Army Happy Tree in place of a registration fee. This year, we’re hoping to reach even more families in need—so we’re asking everyone to contribute a $10 registration fee and, if you’re able, bring along a toy as well.

As the need in our community continues to grow, every contribution helps bring comfort and joy to families during this special time of year. All registration proceeds will be donated directly to the Bridges to Hope Food Bank, and all toy donations will continue to support the Salvation Army Happy Tree.

Let’s make this Christmas brighter for those who need it most. We hope to see you there!
REGISTRATION OPENING SOON

STRIDE  TOY RUN DETAILS

Please see details below for the fun run on Sunday morning (8:30AM start time), December 7th, 2025 in
Bowring Park at the Upper Duck Pond (near the playground).

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT IS CAPPED AT 150 PARTICIPANTS DUE TO MEDAL QUANTITY.

This year we will have race bibs for each participant.
Please pick up your bib between 7:30am-8:10am near the start line at the Upper Duck Pond.
Gifts for the VOCM/Salvation Army Happy Tree can be brought to the start line for drop-off.
Please make sure gifts are left unwrapped and do not forget about the older children when purchasing something. There will be a vehicle or two on site to collect gifts.
Routes this year include a 2 km, 5(ish) km and 10 km option.
Please study the routes and know the route that you intend to run. We have asked volunteers to help marshal the courses this year; however, it is not a guarantee that they will be on every corner so it is best for you to be familiar with the route.

PLEASE NOTE:

THIS IS A FUN RUN AND NOT A RACE.

THE STREETS OF ST. JOHN’S WILL NOT BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR THIS EVENT.

MARSHALS WILL BE ON THE ROUTE TO GUIDE AND NOT STOP TRAFFIC FOR RUNNERS.

We encourage you to dress up for this event in your best holiday gear! This is about helping out those less fortunate and having fun while we do it! So show us your holiday spirit, wear green, red, Santa or Elf hats, your best Christmas suit or perhaps a full on costume of the Grinch! 
At the end of this race, you will be presented with a one of a kind, handmade medal crafted by one of our Stride members. This medal is unlike any other that you have in your collection and also makes a great Christmas Tree ornament.
DATE: December 7th, 2025
WHERE: Bowring Park – Upper Duck Pond (Near the Playground)
WHEN: Bib Pickup between 7:30am to 8:10am
WARMUP: 8:20am
START TIME: 8:30am
COURSE TIME LIMIT: 1.5 HOURS

We hope you are as excited as we are for the 2025 Toy Run! See you on Sunday morning. 🙂

The Routes

PLEASE NOTE THAT DISTANCES ARE APPROXIMATE. 

IF YOUR WATCH DIFFERS FROM THE POSTED ROUTE, FEEL FREE TO DO A LITTLE EXTRA OR A LITTLE LESS.

5 (ish) km Toy Run

– Head out toward West End Bowring Park parking lot
– Turn Right on Waterford Bridge Road
– Continue on Waterford Bridge Road to Waterford Lane
– Turn Right on Waterford Lane
– Turn Right on Southside Road
– Turn Right on Bay Bulls Road
– Turn Left on Waterford Bridge Road (Corpus Christi Church in front of you)
– Back to West End Bowring Park parking lot
– Back into the park to the Start

2 km Toy Run 

– Head out to the Bowring Park West End Parking Lot
– Turn Right on trail
– Veer Right UP trail to the Bowring Park bridge (do not go under bridge)
– Cross on Bridge and stay Left
– At the bottom turn Right and head back up the ‘hill’!
– Turn Left and cross the bridge
– Head back past the pool and playground, back to the start!

Got questions?  Contact our Toy Run Event Director at toyrunadmin@striderunningnl.ca 

Stride Toy Run Medals for 2022