Cycling & running events in Thunder Bay, 2026

Thunder Bay Training Notes

Running: Locals run the Neebing River Paths when they want options, because two sets of paths can be linked into a longer day. Boulevard Lake gives a clean loop, and the loop runs about 5 km around the water. Friendship Gardens and Chapples Park work for easy loops, strides, and Z2 laps near town. Centennial, Cascades, Bluffs, and Shunia Mines give trail time, and basically all of these trails are connected. Runners use the Thunder Bay 10 mile road race, UpRiver Running Fall Races, High Noon 24Hr Trail Race & Relay, and XTERRA Sleeping Giant as anchor events.

Cycling: Riders get a proper mix here, from city lanes to gravel, backroads, and cyclocross. Thunder Bay has over 56 kilometres of multi-use trails, and the city also has over 42 kilometres of bike lanes and shared lanes. Thunder Bay Cycling Club has been around since 1975, and the club runs Thursday evening group rides, summer monthly Thursday time trials, and a 5-event cyclocross series. Women On Wheels gathers every Tuesday with three SAG-supported distances. Candy Mountain Dr runs 9 miles of mostly gravel. Climbs live on Candy Mountain Dr and the east-side Canadian Shield hills.

Season: July through January gives the main spread of training weather, with summer carrying the biggest road, gravel, and trail rhythm. Locals stack base miles on Boulevard Lake, the Neebing River Paths, and the Slate River Oliver Lake route, then add intervals on the track or Thursday night rides. Summer brings time trials, Women On Wheels Tuesdays, and the cyclocross build. Winter changes the kit more than the mindset. Runners stay on familiar loops, and riders move toward studded tires, lower pressure, sanded surfaces, and the simple fun of snow miles.