Cyclists, pedestrians get first chance on Hwy. 404 extension
Unique event was fundraiser for Southlake hospital foundation

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 17, 2014

Walkers and cyclists enjoyed a rare experience Sunday - a chance to set foot and ride on a super-slab of asphalt that is the extension of Hwy. 404 into East Gwillimbury.

They got the first go at it under beautiful sunny skies, before the cars and trucks that will populate the extension in the not-too-distant future take over.

The event was billed as Beat the Traffic, and was a fundraiser for the Southlake Regional Health Centre's hospital foundation.

Walkers got to take on 5 and 10km routes while cyclists had the change to pedal their way along 5, 10 and 28km routes.

The centre of the action was Green Lane and Hwy. 404. Everything kicked off at 9:30 a.m. The event featured Canadian rock/pop band Glass Tiger onstage.

The long-anticipated extension of Hwy. 404 is set to open in September.

Sponsors included the towns of Newmarket, Aurora and East Gwillimbury, the Region of York, York Regional Police, Investors Group, LA Fitness, which ran a warmup session for participants, and Metroland Media Group, publishers of local papers in the three communities as well as their website, yorkregion.com