I thoroughly enjoyed this year's Toronto Marathon. The course is beautiful, the weather was perfect, and the race was very well organized. The race presented all the benefits of a big-city race without being too big and crowded. It had just the right number of people. Special appreciation goes to the Toronto police for doing such a great job managing the city's notorious traffic. The shuttle busses to the start were smooth and easy. I was happy to join a pace group and the leader stayed right on schedule. I was amazed that there was no line for a post-race massage. My mother ran the half marathon and had an equally positive experience. I am sad to learn they are moving the race to May, as I have difficulty training for a full marathon through the winter. Otherwise, I would definitely run again. It was well worth the travel from Colorado.

This was my 25th marathon. I enjoyed it! Just a few random thoughts:

1. The medal was huge! Perfect for my 25th race.
2. The showers at the end were a nice touch.
3. Great volunteers.
4. A summary info sheet in the race kit would be helpful for those runners without easy net access.
5. Go back to the original race route. This one wasn't as scenic, running on Lakeshore.
6. Start earlier. Switch times with the half marathoners to ease up traffic.

- Sanjay

I just ran the Toronto Marathon as part of the Runner's World Challenge. The organization of the marathon was great, especially the buses from the Hilton. I was worried when I got outside and the line went completely around the city block, but a huge number of buses quickly pulled up and got everyone off o.k. They even had volunteers making sure people didn't cut the line. The pasta dinner and speakers were good.

Two minor complaints about the race: One is the start time. The marathon started at 9:00 (and the half marathon at 8:00). I was trying to run about a 3:05 marathon, and at some of the early/mid water stops there were a bunch of 3-hour half marathoners that made the stops congested. The second issue was with the water stops; there were some fairly long stretches without stops (they had a large number, but some were bunched). Other than that, it was great. Weather was great, and the course was beautiful.

Visually, this course shows more of Toronto than the Waterfront Marathon. This was my first marathon, and it was for the most part downhill. Small expo, but it was easy to get your number, and baggage pickup was great. It was easy to get around after the marathon as well. Fan support is low at certain points, but still quite good.

My girlfriend ran the half and I ran the marathon. Both of us ran PR's. What a great course and what friendly people. I heard this was one of the best big-city courses around, and trust me, it is! I would strongly recommend this course to anyone. They have great medals - the biggest that I have ever gotten. Best runner's shirts and a great party atmosphere at the finish line. Gotta run it!

I will be back for this one: The perfect mix of perfect weather and a perfect course. It's fast, and as they said, scenic. Toronto is a beautiful city, and I got a huge new finisher's medal for my growing collection. Wow! And thank you, Toronto.

I ran this marathon the first time this year and was somewhat surprised how hilly the first half is, since they say it's a downhill race. A lot of "ups and downs" for the first 10-15K. The organization was great, with water and Gatorade almost every 2-3K. A real disappointment are the spectators (there were hardly any, except for the first couple of kilometers, and there was no comparison to the Berlin Marathon. And I have never been shouted at from passing cars, which was new to me. Would I run it again? Well, probably, but maybe in a couple of years to see if the Torontonians are more enthusiastic then.

This was my first time in Toronto. The marathon was a great introduction to the city. It took runners through interesting neighborhoods (from leafy residential to downtown to the waterfront). The course is flat and fast. (I got my PR.) There was plenty of water, and they had three GU stops. Spectators were light from around miles 16-24, but it didn't bother me. The organization was excellent, I thought. Expo was medium-sized. Weather was perfect - upper 30s at the start, and sunny, mid 40s at the finish.

This race will give you the feel of a race in a big city without the big city (Chicago) crowds.

Pluses:
1.) The course is a great mix of city, neighborhoods and along the lake shore.
2.) The hill early in the race is rough, but after that, it is mostly flat or downhill!
3.) I did not find the incline at the end that bad and I'm no fan of hills!
4.) Spectator support was enthusiastic, but sparse in places if you depend on it.
5.) Very nice tech. race shirt - maybe long-sleeve next time?
6.) Medal is ginormous!
7.) Weather was perfect! Thanks, Toronto!

Minuses:
1.) Although I did not personally experience this, there were reportedly six busses that showed up late for the start. This will undoubtedly be rectified.

Overall, I would highly recommend this event as a destination race!

I ran the half marathon. We got to the shuttle point an hour early and were still a half an hour late to the race! There was no organization at the shuttle pick up; marathoners (whose race was an hour later) were getting on the buses with the half marathoners. When we were dropped off, no one pointed the way to the start, so we walked a half-mile following the path of the runners who had already started. The water stops were well organized and plentiful, but the after-race food was sub par. The course was nice but where was the on-course entertainment that was promised on the website?! Toronto is a beautiful city, but I would not run this race again.