Terrible course, poor support. At one stage police were finding gaps in the runners to allow traffic to continue. Very dangerous. 1st water station for Half Marathon at the 10km mark. Uphill for the last mile or so. Also had to contend with irate drivers. The Organizers of this run should look at other Canadian Marathons for guidance. (See Manitoba Marathon)

2000 was my first marathon. I believe the course could be made more interesting and pleasant. The section through the industrial area by the Don River is desolated, and when you need the most support (32K to 40K) you can hardly find anyone. The course is challenging, but I did not find it excessively so.

The organization was good, the volunteers and the police did a great job.

Some people got very upset that their Sunday routine got disturbed by the race, and they make sure to let the runners know they aren't pleased.

I'll run it again in 2001 because it's close to home.

I am from Toronto and this was my first marathon. I was disgusted by the lack of support by the city and by the push to re-open the roads. I am a slow runner and was forced onto sidewalk at 12k point- all signage was then taken away. If not for knowing the city it would have been hard to know the course to finish. Also if it was not for my family support at the finish line the organizers would have been gone by the time I finished, despite the fact that they said the finish would remain open for all runners. I was lucky to get my medal because the were ready to close up shop but for my family insistence on waiting for me. Also this course is extremely hilly and a difficult course -I would only reccommend for experienced marathoners, definitely not for the beginner as I found out the hard way

Toronto has an incredible number of park stretches that most people, including Torontonians, don't even know about (and I'm not just referring to Sunnybrook, Humber and High). Knowing this, it surprises me that the course does not take advantage of the fall weather trees by dipping in and out of the parks more frequently and avoiding the car pollution that builds up on roads of log-jammed cars (also creating noise pollution with unnecessary honking because the drivers cannot READ signs). Two things I saw frequently that should never happen: 1) watching fans running beside the marathoners having to scream to each other when talking because the idiot drivers are honking and 2)watching the runners have to swerve or come to a halt because dangerous idiot drivers don't obey the officers signals. I say give them tickets for running a red light AND dangerous driving!

This marathon books itself as the 'Canadian International Marathon' in typical Toronto style. The fact that there are numerous other international marathons in Canada seems to elude the organizers. The course initially starts off by running through a commercial area preceded by a lovely (though hilly) park. The largest section of the marathon runs along Yonge Street where the runners are subjected to the rudest drivers this side of New York. Everyone seems to be totally surprised by the road closures, even though the event was well advertised. If you run this course, you can expect to be cursed at and cutoff by the impatient drivers trying to cross the intersections. Although the police do an admirable job at trying to control traffic, they are unable to ensure your safety. The run does go in front of the scenic 'Casa Loma', which is certainly worth the look. Upon entering downtown Toronto, the course takes us through a really seedy industrial section next to the Don River, once the most polluted river in Canada. This part of the course is very lonely, with no spectators and nothing to see except industrial waste and chain-link fences. The last stretch of the course is slightly uphill, finishing at Queen's Park, Ontario's Legistative Building.
Surely the organizers of Toronto's Marathon could showcase their city by running along Lake Ontario, rather than running through crowded, uninteresting streets. Doesn't Toronto have any parks?
Needless to say, I would never run the Canadian International Marathon again.
Vancouver's and Winnipeg's Marathon are by far better organized and have spectators that appreciate runners.

I have run all five editions of this marathon and it keeps getting better. Great value for the money and I love not having to travel to race.

The course starts with a loop and when you get back to the starting point, you know you have run half the marathon. Then on to downtown and up Hogg's Hollow which is steep and tough, but not too long but occurs at about the 18 mile mark. Good entertainment along the way with local bands and quite a few spectators through the downtown stretch. Scenic finish at Queen's Park.