I have been lucky enough to run 61 marathons. Toronto was my first is Sept. 1984. I still receive the greatest satisfaction and thrill crossing the finish line. Toronto has a great waterfront - I am so glad we have a marathon by the water. Thanks to everyone who makes it possible.

Jan L.

As a first time marathoner, I could not have had a better experience. The support on the course was great, the bands really helped to keep me going, and the spectators' support and enthusiasm were both encouraging and amazing.

After 4 months of intense training for our group it was very disappointing to find out a medal was not available.

Did the organization not know how many were entered on line even though the deadline was Tuesday at midnight??? Expo compared to Ottawa was very disappointing as well - a huge event with so little vendors?????

This event is way up there with other big name races!
The fabulous enroute entertainment reflects Toronto's diversity!

I loved the flat, scenic waterfront route for this race. The weather was beautiful. The volunteers did an excellent job with refreshments. It was great having live music/cheering from each neighbourhood. The spectators, especially my friends, were there to support me during the last half of the race, when I need it most! =)

I will be 51 years young this September 29th 2004. 2 years ago I was diagnosed as having non-hodgkins lymphoma (thankfully dormant at the moment). I took up karate at this time, and due to the fitness level needed, I also took up some light running. With my running partner we soon progressed to 5k and then some local 10k events which I found challenging (and which also helped me realize that you can attain new interests in life even if you are given a bit of a jolt that reminds you how precious our time can be).

We both followed the book with regard to long distance running (that's running, not racing), followed the diet, took our vitamins and before we knew it, there we were on the start line yesterday for our initial half-marathons, milling around with what seemed like the whole population of Toronto. I found the experience totally exhilarating and the camaraderie between the various competitors from all parts of the globe wonderful. I think we both did fairly well for a first go. I will definitely be back next year - who knows maybe run a full marathon; that would be something to tell my grandkids one day.

Thank you to everyone, organisers, competitors, my running partner Robin Zacharias, and also our personal supporters, who seemed to pop up everywhere on the course to shout us on. I was also impressed by the attitude of spectators along the course who applauded everyone and made us feel like royalty. In these type of events everyone wins and that is surely the only way it should be.

For us amateurs and enthusiasts long distance running is not about winning; it's more about a chance for an individual to put him or herself to the test. If you push yourself as hard as you can, do your very best and at the same time enjoy it, when you hit that finishing line, you have the same feeling as any Olympic gold medalist could have. See you next year...

At some locations bands were great. Cadets did a great job. Canada Fit Water station was the best - only one that was cheering on the walkers and runners.

Very disappointed half marathon got COTTON T-shirts compared to how the full got a dry fit one. THEN the medals for Half Marathon were finished.

This year's race was very disappointing. However even your questions here are obviously biased towards running. I did a PB in power walking, improved my score over six minutes yet didn't even benefit from a medal at the end. The early start to the half was useless; once the runners start you may as well get out of the way. I was tripped, spit on and yelled at.

Until the Toronto Marathon recognizes the value of power walking as the Cleveland, Mississauga, Big Sur and other marathons do, it really is a second class event. In the questions below, please note - I power walked all - I didn't run. But I beat a lot of the runners, including the one who told me to get out of her way.

The volunteers were great -- their positive comments and hard work were very much appreciated.

It was a great opportunity to share in a common goal. The volunteers were awesome, organizers were friendly & all participants were kind & positive.

One suggestion would be to have those 'real runners' & Boston Qualifiers run first. It wasn't fair to them to have us amateurs in their way. I am sure it frustrated them to lose crucial seconds in attempting to pass us. The police escort was helpful, but they should have left first.