Phil Smith prepares for biggest Crystal Beach 5K yet
September 17, 2026 at 3:22 AM
Phil Smith says this year’s Crystal Beach 5K is on track to be the biggest race in the village’s history.
The annual Crystal Beach 5K will be held October 10 on Erie Road in Crystal Beach.
“At last check this afternoon, we were just shy of 500 that were pre-registered already,” Smith said. “So we’re on track to be the biggest one ever.”
The current record is 519 people who completed the 5K.
More than 600 people from across Canada and the United States participated in the 5K and kids race combined last year.
Smith, a local realtor who owns and operates South Coast Cookhouse and Hotel Philco, said the race is held on Thanksgiving weekend to bring people to Crystal Beach after the summer tourism season.
“We purposely hold it the Thanksgiving weekend each year just because we wanted to sort of lengthen the season and get people here at a time when they’re not normally,” Smith said.
Phil Smith, co-organizer, has run every Crystal Beach 5K since the beginning. Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie RadioLast October, Smith told Fort Erie Radio he wanted the 2026 race to reach 1,000 participants.
Smith said people can register online through Race Roster until October 7 as runners or walkers, with some competing for faster times and others taking part with friends.
“The race is just as much for those types of people as it is for the people that are up there at the front, trying to set a personal best,” Smith said.
This year’s race will also have a “Beat the Turkey” challenge, where anyone who finishes ahead of a specified runner dressed as a turkey gets an extra prize. Awards, live music and a barbecue fundraiser for a local hockey team will follow in the Grove.
Registration fees pay race expenses and help finance the following year’s event, Smith said. A portion goes to the Crystal Beach Business Improvement Area.
“We’re just raising enough money to have enough money to do it next year, try to put the money back into the race,” Smith said.
The race previously grouped all participants aged 70 and older into one division. Smith said more older runners are entering, so the 2026 race will divide them into additional age categories and award more winners.
The kids race starts at 10:15 a.m. October 10, followed by the 5K at 11 a.m.
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About The Author
Andrew Hawlitzky
Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"
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