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.

This was my second Toronto Marathon. It's got a lovely course that runs through different neighborhoods, downtown and along the lakeshore. I love the crowd and the entertainment. It's well organized and of decent size. I will do it again.

This was my first marathon. I found issues from 2008 regarding water stations to be a non-issue this year. Support was pretty much consistent. Bananas were a nice treat about eight miles in. The course has one major ascent early, with the rest predominantly downhill until the final two miles - a long, slow ascent back into the core of the city. Nice neighborhoods in the city, and nice waterfront route. The crowds were sparse, but those that were there were enthusiastic. Medal was great. I would definitely do this again. Only possible complaint: many half-marathoners experienced significant transportation issues, as many missed the start - they need to seriously rectify this in the future. Message: get to the buses early or find your own alternative transportation to start.

It's impossible to run negative splits on this course. It's got a great, fast front half, and then it's got a nice and flat out-and-back on Lakeshore. But the final 3K-stretch uphill to Queen's Park is a killer. Save some for that. If they got rid of that finish, it could be one of the fastest out there. Unfortunately, the support from Toronto is brutal. The few fans are great, but the cars and radio stations are terrible.

I loved the course and the organization. The size was perfect - large enough to have support, but small enough so we didn't have to dodge people.

The course is the best around with fantastic support from the volunteers and musicians. I particularly like it because it's my PB again this year. NO other city marathon gives a tour like this while remaining mostly downhill, allowing for some fast times. Most of the runners I know who ran achieved PB's, whether running the marathon or half marathon. The finish area - combined with shirts and medals - continues to be the best out there.

This was my 1st Canadian marathon, and what an experience. Even though I hit the wall around the 15 mile-mark and couldn't get back into the swing of things, I did my best and completed it. At 5:53, it was not my best, but the crowds and encouragement were out of this world, so that's why I'm doing it again in 2009. Thanks for a great day.

Very good marathon. The water stations and the spectators up to the 20K mark were fantastic. There seemed to be a big gap along the waterfront. At times I didn't I feel that I was part of a marathon. No mileage markers, and there were pedestrians and cyclists weaving with the runners along the route. Fantastic medals and supplies after the race. For the record, this is the 4th time that I have run this race and each time I have been loudly cursed at by drivers, but I have never let that discourage me.

The Toronto Marathon is a pretty quick course, with one gradual incline at the very end. The views are ok; running through the city was interesting, though I found the lake section to be a bit boring. There is very little entertainment on the course - maybe three musical groups. I agree with a poster who had issues with the water stops. There were multiple miles without any stops, and then there would be two stops within a half-mile of each other. It made no sense. The runners' expo had a lot of vendors, but it was a very tight fit for everybody. Overall, an average experience.