HAMILTON, ONT. (3/20/05) - The Around the Bay 30K is a rite of passage and part of Hamilton history. Completing the challenging course and distance in whatever weather the March lion dishes out (before giving up the the lamb) is worth serious bragging rights.

One of the first things Hamiltonians tell you is how many times they have run "The Bay." First held in 1894, it's the oldest road race in North America. Many Bay winners (Jack Caffrey, Tommy Longboat, Jerome Drayton) have gone on to capture that relative youngster, the 108-year- old the Boston Marathon, the next month.

Nina Bovio of Ann Arbor ran The Bay for the 12th time "for the tradition." Joannie Rogucki of Pinckney returned to run her eighth Bay this year.

Photo: Course record holder Joseph Ndiritu won the 2005 30K in 1:38:48.

Kenyan Joseph Ndiritu, who now lives in Hamilton, won the 30K in 1:38:48. The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon champion ran a course-record 1:32:53 here in 2000, the year after Michigan's Paul Aufdemberge was Bay champ.

Kate McNamara of Dundas, Ont., was this year's women's winner in 1:58:07.

Husband and wife Dave and Kimberly Peterson, of Farmington, were the first Americans. Dave finished in 1:57:12; Kimberly in 2:03:34. Close to 4,000 individuals ran the 30K. Another 1,600 took part in 2- or 3-person relays, the 30K walk or 5K.

Hamilton is one of our continent's running meccas. The Commonwealth Games were first organized by Hamilton Spectator editor M.M. "Bobby" Robinson in 1930. The Spectator currently sponsors the Canadian Indoor Games.

It is easy to see why runners enjoy this city, which sits on the west tip of Lake Ontario 50 miles southwest of Toronto. Hamilton boasts diversity with a small town personality.

Photo: Kate McNamara, Dundas, Ontario, finished first in 1:58:07

Tailgate Charlie's and Hess Village were great places to watch March madness and have a beer. "No hockey? No problem!" read Charlie's menu; TV football and basketball more than took up the slack. Hess Village is "the" place to restaurant hop.

Our northern neighbors have been aggressive enticing Americans to come up and have a go at their races. Canada's largest city offers two fall marathons: the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and the Toronto Marathon. The Ottawa Marathon is becoming hugely popular, and many are drawn to the Niagara International Marathon, whose course hosted Canada's Olympic Trials 20 years ago.

All are great events, but The Bay is where it started. For a look at this year's race, visit http://michiganrunner.tv/2005aroundthebay/. MR