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May 5, 2024

Toronto Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 3.8

Organization 3.8

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 160 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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Jeff Harmon from Pittsburgh, PA (11/16/2010) "Very scenic course; tougher than expected" (about: 2010) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first visit to Toronto! I guess I'll start from the beginning: get to the shuttle stop very early (especially for the half), as I arrived at 7 and didn't reach the starting area until just before 8. The first half of the course was scenic and rolling, and a nice mix of residential and park areas. The fluid stations seemed quite spaced apart, but not too much of a problem. The out-and-back along the lake was a grind, and the last 3K were killer. Biggest medal ever... HUGE! All in all, I'd do it again in a heartbeat (especially if it remained in the fall!).
A. L. from Canada (10/25/2010) "Great medal, perfect weather, pleasant marathon!" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Toronto was my first full marathon. The medal is gigantic, the largest one I have ever seen! It is Olympic size, seriously. It was a perfect fall day, dry, with temperatures up to 15C. Excellent running conditions. I attended the expo (3 rows with vendors on both sides) and purchased a Toronto Marathon jacket for $70. Package pick up was easy at noon, although the line seemed to get longer as the afternoon progressed. The t-shirts we received were a high quality tech material. I stayed at Novotel Toronto Center, which is one of the offical marathon hotels. However, we were a 10-15 minute walk from the Hilton, where the shuttle buses were and the pasta supper was held. I appreciated that runners were allowed to wait inside a warm building at the start of the race. I have run several half marathons where I had to wait outside in the cold for the hour before the race. I had read the elevation map before the race so I was prepared for the large hill at 4K and the gradual uphill of the last 3K. What surprised me was the mental fatigue of the out-and-back by the lake (around mile 17 -20). That just didn't seem to end. I did enjoy seeing the elite runners as they were headed back though. There were plenty of toilets along the route. I thought there should have been more water stops, at regular intervals. After reading where they would be located, I carried one of my own bottles during the run, and just filled it up at the stops when it was getting low. The showers at the finish were awesome. Towels were even provided. The free massage was great. I couldn't find much to snack on though - just a cup of water, a cup of Gatorade, a banana, a bagel, and an orange. All in all, the Goodlife Toronto Marathon was an excellent introduction to the marathon world.
B. W. from Manitoba, Canada (10/22/2010) "A little hillier than expected" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Found the first half of the course to be somewhat hillier than expected, but not too bad. The 50-meter climb in the last few KM cost me a BQ. I had read that shuttle buses to the start were late last year and still had some of the same trouble this year. Pretty sparse for spectators on most of the course and also had a number of disgruntled drivers in downtown Toronto (boo hoo!). Overall, very good run. Huge medal. Too bad that the 5K runners took most of the chocolate milk. Apparently they ran out completely during the half with nothing left for the marathon runners.
s. m. from Boulder, Colorado (10/19/2010) "Highly recommended" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
S. M. from Ottawa, ON (10/19/2010) "Good race a few improvements needed!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Toronto Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 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
B. G. from Cupertino, CA (10/18/2010) "Great weekend, weather and course - huge medal" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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.
b. d. from toronto (10/10/2010) "good course, mostly downhill" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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.
M. H. from Denver, CO (3/20/2010) "Best Marathon in the World!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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!
Julia Green from Burlington, Ontario (11/26/2009) "Best course for a BIG CITY" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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.
D. M. from Berlin, Germany (10/31/2009) "Good course; only the last 3K are a killer." (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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.

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