2026 Muskoka Marathon Community Letter
2026 Muskoka Marathon – Community Update
Single-lane restrictions will be in effect on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 2026.
All events start and finish at Santa’s Village, Bracebridge.
We are NOT requesting a full road closure.
Access to all properties and businesses will be maintained at all times.
Dear Resident,
Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we finalize details for the 2026 Muskoka
Marathon. This notice outlines temporary traffic restrictions along Santa’s Village Road, Beaumont
Drive, and Wellington Street during race activities on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 2026.
There will be no full road closures. Certified flaggers and OPP will manage traffic control, and every
effort will be made to minimize community impact.
Saturday, October 3 – 10K, 5K and Kids’ Races
Single-lane traffic control in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
OPP officers will be on-site at Santa’s Village Road / Golden Beach Road (at Santa’s Village) and
the Wellington Street bridge.
10K – 7:30 a.m. start
Route travels down Santa’s Village Road, across the Wellington Street Bridge, and onto Beaumont
Drive.
Turnaround point is located on Beaumont Drive just past the Wellington Street Bridge (Stuart Lane).
Wellington Street Bridge and the start of Beaumont Drive will operate on a single-lane basis, with
traffic controlled by certified flaggers to ensure safety and minimize community delays.
Wellington Street Bridge and the start of Beaumont Drive will have a single lane restriction, with
certified flaggers from 7:40 am to 8:40 am.
The westbound lane (closest to homes) remains open at all times.
The eastbound lane (closest to the river) is reserved as the running lane.
Access to all properties and businesses is maintained throughout the event.
Santa’s Village Road will open from Wellington to our 2.5km turnaround (just east of Nichols Farm
Rd) by 9:00 am.
5K – 9:30 a.m. start
Runners travel 2.5 km up Santa’s Village Road toward Wellington Street, then turn around at the 2.5
km mark (just east of Nichols Farm Rd).
The westbound lane (closest to homes) remains open at all times.
The eastbound lane (closest to the river) is reserved as the running lane.
Access to all properties and businesses is maintained throughout the event.
All runners will be off the roadway by 10:30 a.m.
Kids Races – 10:30 a.m. start
Runners travel 1.5 km up Santa’s Village Road toward Wellington Street, then turn around and
return to Santa’s Village.
The westbound lane (closest to homes) remains open at all times.
The eastbound lane (closest to the river) is reserved as the running lane.
Access to all properties and businesses is maintained throughout the event.
All runners will be off the roadway by 11:30 a.m.
Certified flaggers will be stationed at:
Beaumont Drive and Wellington Street
5K turnaround point on Santa’s Village Road
Both sides of the Wellington Street Bridge
These flaggers will manage single-lane traffic and ensure safe crossing points for runners.
Sunday, October 4 – Marathon, Half Marathon
Single-lane traffic control in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Three OPP officers will be on-site on Sunday to support traffic control at key intersections.
Marathon begins at 7:30 a.m. and concludes by 12:30 p.m.
The half-marathon starts at 8:00 a.m., with most runners finishing by 10:30 a.m.
Santa’s Village Road
Lane restrictions (single road closure) from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Open to westbound traffic only from Muskoka Road 118/Wellington Street toward Golden Beach
Road.
The westbound lane (closest to homes) remains open at all times.
The eastbound lane (closest to the river) is reserved as the running lane.
Access to all properties and businesses is maintained throughout the event.
Wellington Street Bridge
Lane restrictions from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The goal is to have the Wellington Street bridge reopened at 12:00 pm
Southbound traffic only toward Highway 11.
No northbound traffic; vehicles will be redirected via Ecclestone Drive or Beaumont Drive.
Full access to residences and businesses is maintained.
Beaumont Drive
Lane restrictions from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Open to westbound traffic between Muskoka Road 118/Wellington Street and Stephens Bay Road.
Certified flaggers will control two-way traffic between Stephens Bay Road and Kirby’s Beach Road.
Vehicles may exit via Stephens Bay Road and Stagecoach Road toward Muskoka Road 17.
The last runner should make the turn at Kirby's beach by 11:15 am.
Restrictions will be lifted as soon as participants clear each section of the course.
Sunday Certified Flaggers
Certified flaggers will be stationed at:
Beaumont Farm Road
Stephens Bay Road
Kirby’s Beach Road: To safely manage two-way traffic where required.
Traffic Management & Safety Measures
OPP & Traffic Control
Saturday: OPP officers positioned at key intersections, including the Wellington Street Bridge and
Santa’s Village Road / Golden Beach Road.
Sunday: 3 OPP officers positioned at key intersections, including both sides of the Wellington Street
Bridge and Santa’s Village Road / Golden Beach Road.
Signage, cones, and barriers will clearly mark running lanes and guide motorists throughout the
area.
Please note that these temporary measures may result in minor travel delays. Residents are encouragedto allow extra time for planned trips during the event weekend.
Questions?
Email: muskokamarathon@gmail.com
Thank you for your support and cooperation in helping us deliver a safe, community-minded event.