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May 18, 2024

Toronto Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Toronto Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.8

Organization 3.8

Spectators 3.1

Number of comments: 160 [displaying comments 71 to 81]

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Ted Guloien from Toronto (Beach) (10/16/2007) "Best 26.2 miles in Toronto" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Toronto Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The new Toronto Marathon course is as close to perfect as you can get. Yes, a section of the 2nd half doubles back and in spots is a bit narrow to navigate but the Boston Marathon course is crowded and has a lot of downhill running... so what? The first half of the Toronto Marathon starts in the north end of the city and proceeds down Toronto's main street (Yonge Street). The route veers west into tony Forest Hill and the Spadina Village, going past a castle in the process. The route steers east towards Yonge but heads into one of Toronto's many ravines for a taste of the country. Going across the bottom of downtown, the race heads for Lake Ontario and travels along the shoreline on a biking/running trail. It's a bit tight in places, but it's easy to follow, and there's lots to see. The turnaround gives a great view of the skyscrapers and the CN Tower. The biggest challenge is the 2+ kilometers up the broad University Avenue; you can see Ontario's parliament buildings (the finish line) in the distance but it seems so far away. But by the time you reach Queen's Park and the Parliament buildings, the crowd noise gets infectious and you may find yourself sprinting. I love the new course and I've run Toronto 8 times. It's a PB course and great for Boston Marathon qualifiers.
Billy Pearce from Australia (10/16/2007) "for a big city marathon fell below expectations" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I have run 24 marathons wide variety of course and countries, the Toronto marathon was left wanting in many aspects. Race start family and friends in corrals! I witnessed peopls bumping into bag carrying family, not good.Mile/Km markers on the ground, not visible in crowd. Pacers struggling to see them also.Aid stations poorly executed. Fingers in cups, cups three to a hand, NO GLOVES and really plastic and poly cups!! The course at times way to narrow and so many small posts/bollards. I witnessed a fall due to this. I ran a reasonable race and enjoyed Toronto However for 99dollars it really did not live up to the City marathon as promised. I will not do it again, definitely will run the Scotiabank toronto marathon again.
w. e. from Minnesota (10/16/2007) "A Tale of Two Marathons" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Let me just say that I love the city of Toronto and to visit this great place should be impetus enough to run this race. That being said, I found this marathon to be very dissapointing. Let me first state that I ran Twin Cities last year and that is my basis for comparison (which is probably unfair due to the sheer greatness of the TCM).. Fans were few and far between. Plenty of cars trying to cut into the race. First half course was great, but anybody who tells you the 2nd half of the course along the waterfront is great is full of beans. The paths were so narrow and you have to double back 6 miles. Positives. Again the first half of race is good and the finish is quite nice at queen's park. A great city to visit. perfect running weather Negatives: Few spectators..dangerously narrow waterfront run that doubled back.
L. S. from Rochester, NY (10/15/2007) "Scenic Downhill Course" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 4th and favorite marathon! Indoor and outdoor bathrooms at the start were plentiful and clean. There weren't a ton of fans, but the ones that were there were enthusiastic. Your name is printed on the bib and so people cheer for you by name, which I thought was helpful. There were plenty of water stops. I would describe this course as mostly flat or downhill. There was only one memorable incline at the very beginning of the course. Music along the course was good, especially the blaring Michael Jackson tunes toward the end. The only drawbacks of this race were: (1) the out-and-back portion of the course is a bit mentally discouraging (it seemed like we were running out forever) and (2) post-race food was mediocre. Other than that, I thought this was a fantastic event and I would highly recommend it for both first-time and veteran marathoners.
T. M. from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (10/15/2007) "New Route Gets an A+" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Toronto Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Having run this race last year, I looked forward to seeing the new route. I was not disappointed. They kept the best part of the old route and added a new section along the lake, which was superb. When they had initially published the route change, I had expected to be running along Lakeshore, but was very pleasantly surprised to find my self on the recreation paths along the lake as opposed to more concrete roadway. Having run this race before, this was my "make or break" year for Toronto. I'm glad to say this year's effort was a "MAKE." I've stopped my search for a different October marathon and have already marked next year's edition of this race on my calendar. The route makes a difference.
S. K. from Whitby, Ontario (10/15/2007) "Great changes" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 4-5 Toronto Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Awesome changes to the course and a great race-day experience. You made the right choice in ditching the North York segment and adding the waterfront. Very enjoyable and you had a great sense of the city. There seemed to be more spectators and musicians this year. The volunteers were awesome and I much prefer the spirit of this marathon as compared to Scotiabank. Great job.... See you next year!!!!!!!!
B. M. from Brampton, ON (6/30/2007) "Great!!!!" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A well organized and fun marathon to run. Lots of entertainment and terrific volunteers on the course. A real city, point-to-point course that takes in so much of Toronto. Bart Yasso said it: the dinner is not to be missed. It is the best, period! Expo, shirt, medals are all among the best that I've seen. Highly recommended.
B. R. from Burnaby, BC (5/6/2007) "Love the new course" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Toronto Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I love this race and have made the trip back to TO 6 times in the last 8 years to run it. They have the best dinner and kits I've ever seen, and a really nice medal too. The tech shirts they give are of excellent quality, much better than what you get at most races. On the course there is great fan support and music. The water stations are plentiful and lots of great food at the finish line. They have just changed part of the course for this year and it looks fantastic. I'm looking forward to running it again this year and set a PB. Great job, Toronto!
Gary Elder from Oshawa, ON (4/26/2007) "Toronto's nailed it!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Toronto Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have some idea of what it takes to get a course changed in a big city. You guys nailed it with this one and I think it's probably among the best big city courses in North America. I can't wait to run this again after a long absence from marathoning. You've got eveything here - great streets, neighborhoods, parks, the lake and a real sense of history as you run through the city. This is what a city course should be! By the way, your website is great! Lots of great information and tools.
E. C. from Toronto (4/23/2007) "A Home Run!" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Toronto Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I loved this event last year and just got the email with the new course. It's fantastic - a home run! It will really showcase the city and different neighborhoods. The bands and volunteers last year were wonderful and am looking forward to running this again. Way to go!

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