What is The Barley Marathons?

It's RunTOBeer's annual relay race! Since its inception in 2018, hundreds of runners from across the GTHA have passed the baton to run ~70KM from Toronto to Hamilton for an ice cold beer.

On Sunday, September 28, 2025 runners will race in relay teams from RunTOBeer co-founder Dan Grant's Bossanova Wine & Beer in Toronto to Fairweather Brewing in Hamilton.

This is an annual charitable event in support of Good Foot Delivery.

How it Works

Choose your own adventure! This is a relay format race, but with flexibility. While the route is fixed, teams can divide up the 71 km route as they choose. It's totally up to you!

This is a self-navigated race, so we encourage you to map out your chosen legs beforehand. There are aid stations along the course, which are good places to swap runners too.

Teams are responsible for their own transportation. Whether that means you ride alongside your runner on a bike, or drive and meet at your own hand-off points - it's up to you!

There are regular GO trains and buses running between Toronto and Hamilton.

Route

• Start: 9:00 AM at Bossanova Wine & Beer, 103 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto
• Finish: Fairweather Brewing Company - 5 Ofield Rd, Hamilton

Aid Stations

There will be 6 aid stations along the course approximately every 10KM. Aid stations will include water, refreshments and snacks. Please see the registration for more information on the timing and location of aid stations.

Teams & Categories

This is a choose-your-own format relay. You can have as many or as few people on your team as you want, but there are 9 team categories for the purpose of awards:

• 🏃🏻 6-pack: men's, women's, mixed
• 🏃🏻 4-pack: men's, women's, mixed
• 🏃🏻 2-pack: men's, women's, mixed

A mixed team is considered to be at least 50% female or nonbinary.

Teams with an odd number of people will be rounded up to compete in the next category. Teams of more than 6 will be part of the 6-pack category.

Entry Fee

$40 per runner, regardless of team size. Proceeds from the event will go to our charity partner, Good Foot Delivery.

Prizes

All competitors will receive a free finisher beer courtesy of Fairweather Brewing Company and a finisher's medal.

The Barley Marathons is possible thanks to our awesome sponsors, who have donated prizes for winners in each category. You'll also get bragging rights (including your legacy imprinted on our website).

If you're interested in sponsoring this year's event by donating prizes, please contact us.

Sponsors

Our Charity Partner

Good Foot Delivery provides meaningful employment for the neuro-diverse community through a reliable, professional courier service delivered via public transit and on foot. Since 2018, RunTOBeer has raised more than $30,000 for Good Foot.