Toronto Marathon vs. Toronto Waterfront Marathon

[Oksie]

Hello all,

I’m planning a trip to Toronto in 2013 to visit relatives. I thought I might as well get a marathon in while I’m there. I’m trying to decide between the Toronto Marathon in May and the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October.

Which would you recommend for a tourist hoping to “experience” Toronto? (I’ve never been to Canada.) Which one is more visually stimulating? Is there a big difference in the weather during those times of the year? (There didn’t seem to be a huge discrepancy between May and October according to the 2012 forecasts.)

Thanks in advance.

[cbaker1]

From a tourist point of view, the spring race will give you more feel for the City.

[Irongirl]

From a tourist point of view, the spring race will give you more feel for the City.

From a Canadian perspective, the biggest difference for us odds that you train through the summer for the October race and then through the winter for the May race.... (pros and cons to both).

The October race feels cooler (weather wise) and I find fall races to be 'faster'.....

I think either race will be good for what you're looking for.

Where are you from?

[QuickChick]

With its new route, Waterfront will also take you through interesting neighborhoods. The course profiles are quite different- spring course is rolling while the fall course is quite flat. With the elites who show up in fall, it's definitely closer to a world class event feel. The fall race is a bigger deal in general. Some people prefer a race that is a bit more low-key, and if that's you, the spring race may be better. However, as a tourist the point to point nature of the spring one could be a challenge (no subway before 9 on Sunday). Unless they provide shuttles from downtown... Anyone know? The fall race starts/ends pretty much in the same spot, both of which are right downtown.

[fingerboy]

Oct - Waterfront will have more of a big marathon feel with cheering crowds etc (weather dependent though - our citizens still aren't all that keen - it felt fairly empty this year as a spectator). See much less of the city though, however there's a bit more since last year.

May - Goodlife will cover more of the city and the areas. This used to be a fantastic course in the fall with the leaves changing colour. Much smaller cheering crowds though.


Both can have a temperature range of +20c to about -5c, so it can be anything. They both tend to be closer to the middle, which is great.

[Oksie]

Thank you all for the responses. I'm leaning more towards the one in May based on the feedback since I'll be focussing more on "sight seeing" rather than running a decent race (although I must admit I've always enjoyed the hype that comes with the bigger events). I'm from San Diego, CA coming to visit the in-laws in Hamilton.

[jonovision_man]

I'm leaning more towards the one in May based on the feedback since I'll be focussing more on "sight seeing" rather than running a decent race

Toronto Marathon gives you both... first half is net downhill, second half is flat. There's one uphill (Hoggs Hollow) that is long and sucky, but it's at 4-5km then it's mostly downhill or flat from there.

The only downside on the "sight seeing" is that they dropped the bit that went up University to Queen's Park. I think that's a permanent change (it's on their maps as of today). I hated that part in a way, because it was gradually uphill, but going up University and then circling Queen's Park was neat.

jono

[Double Bellybuster]

+1 for Toronto Marathon in May.

And welcome to Toronto. I owe Jono a couple rounds after this year's event so you should come join us for a cold one or two and miscellaneous bellyaching.

[jonovision_man]

Hopefully it's celebrating instead of bellyaching!

[Spirit Unleashed]

+1 for Toronto Marathon in May.

And welcome to Toronto. I owe Jono a couple rounds after this year's event so you should come join us for a cold one or two and miscellaneous bellyaching.

meeting other maniacs is highly recommended. Even if you are new here, take them up on the offer. I've been to Canada 3 times just to meet maniacs (oh and race too). Maniacs are great!

[turd ferguson]

Thank you all for the responses. I'm leaning more towards the one in May based on the feedback since I'll be focussing more on "sight seeing" rather than running a decent race (although I must admit I've always enjoyed the hype that comes with the bigger events). I'm from San Diego, CA coming to visit the in-laws in Hamilton.

Welcome to RM Oksie.

Its probably worth having a google around for other races in southern Ontario at that time of year - Mississauga has a marathon as well in May. Hamilton's is in the fall sometime, as is Niagara Falls'. There are probably a ton of other options I'm not thinking about.

http://www.irun.ca/great-canadian-marathon-guide.php

Or if you make it up earlier and are happy with only a 30k race, Around the Bay is probably the signature race in southern Ontario.

Finally, can someone let me know when this thread is played out so I can start in with Anchorman quotes.

[Double Bellybuster]

There are probably a ton of other options I'm not thinking about.

There are currently 21 Marathons in Ontario that I am aware of, including three with shared courses, one each with Michigan, New York and Quebec. By season, there are 3 Winter and 6 in each other season. May's Toronto Marathon is absolutely among the best.

Winter Toronto Indoor http://www.run4rkids.com/
Winter Thunderwolves Indoor http://thunderwolves.ca/?page=IndoorMarathon
Winter Winterman http://somersault.ca/eventwinterman.htm

Spring Sudbury Rocks http://www.sudburyrocksmarathon.com/
Spring Ottawa http://www.ncm.ca/
Spring Mississauga http://www.mississaugamarathon.com
Spring Toronto http://www.torontomarathon.com/
Spring Whitby http://www.winmarathon.com/
Spring Waterloo http://www.waterloomarathon.com/

Summer Friendly Massey http://www.friendlymasseymarathon.com/
Summer Niagara Ultra http://www.ouser.org/races/NIAGARA_Ultra_2010_info.pdf
Summer EndurRun http://www.endurrun.com/stages.html
Summer The Canadian http://www.eventsonline.ca/events/somer ... t=canadian
Summer Miles With the Giant http://www.thunderbaymarathon.com/
Summer Run for Heroes Marathon http://www.runningflat.com/index2.html

Fall Prince Edward County http://www.pecmarathon.ca/
Fall Detroit http://www.freepmarathon.com/
Fall Hamilton http://hamiltonmarathon.ca/
Fall Toronto Waterfront http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/
Fall Ottawa Fall Colours http://www.somersault.ca/eventfallcolours.htm
Fall Niagara Falls http://www.niagarafallsmarathon.com/

[canalrunner]

Toronto Goodlife is a better tour of the city although the new course upgrades Waterfont (less under Gardiner expressway--more city) Think the fall weather is more consistent for marathon running than early May plus the training cycle is less weather challenged. Perhaps the timing of the Toronto Blue Jays victory parade is a consideration for the fall--clearly the timing of Leafs playoff run will not. That being said, I am going to run Toronto Goodlife in the spring with my son (his first marathon) and likely pace Toronto Scotia in the fall. So I would call it a tie--and suggest you run both.

[Spirit Unleashed]

This person is from San Diego: their training cycle is not weather challenged.

[Oksie]

Thank you all for the warm welcome and helpful race info. You all definitely do not have a shortage of races. Interesting how Mississauga and Toronto Goodlife fall on the same day. Although we have our fair share of marathons, it's rare here for races within 100 miles of each other to even fall within the same month. At any rate, I took the plunge and registered for the Toronto Goodlife Marathon, booked a room, made travel plans, etc. I'm maniac #737, btw. And yes, the weather here doesn't change significantly enough to affect our training cycle...we're spoiled.

[purdy65]

Thank you all for the warm welcome and helpful race info. You all definitely do not have a shortage of races. Interesting how Mississauga and Toronto Goodlife fall on the same day. Although we have our fair share of marathons, it's rare here for races within 100 miles of each other to even fall within the same month. At any rate, I took the plunge and registered for the Toronto Goodlife Marathon, booked a room, made travel plans, etc. I'm maniac #737, btw. And yes, the weather here doesn't change significantly enough to affect our training cycle...we're spoiled.

Very long and sordid story about the two marathons.

You will enjoy Goodlife! My best marathon to date!

[Spirit Unleashed]

Yeah! another US maniac!

[canalrunner]

There are probably a ton of other options I'm not thinking about.

There are currently 21 Marathons in Ontario that I am aware of, including three with shared courses, one each with Michigan, New York and Quebec. By season, there are 3 Winter and 6 in each other season. May's Toronto Marathon is absolutely among the best.

Winter Toronto Indoor http://www.run4rkids.com/
Winter Thunderwolves Indoor http://thunderwolves.ca/?page=IndoorMarathon
Winter Winterman http://somersault.ca/eventwinterman.htm

Spring Sudbury Rocks http://www.sudburyrocksmarathon.com/
Spring Ottawa http://www.ncm.ca/
Spring Mississauga http://www.mississaugamarathon.com
Spring Toronto http://www.torontomarathon.com/
Spring Whitby http://www.winmarathon.com/
Spring Waterloo http://www.waterloomarathon.com/

Summer Friendly Massey http://www.friendlymasseymarathon.com/
Summer Niagara Ultra http://www.ouser.org/races/NIAGARA_Ultra_2010_info.pdf
Summer EndurRun http://www.endurrun.com/stages.html
Summer The Canadian http://www.eventsonline.ca/events/somer ... t=canadian
Summer Miles With the Giant http://www.thunderbaymarathon.com/
Summer Run for Heroes Marathon http://www.runningflat.com/index2.html

Fall Prince Edward County http://www.pecmarathon.ca/
Fall Detroit http://www.freepmarathon.com/
Fall Hamilton http://hamiltonmarathon.ca/
Fall Toronto Waterfront http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/
Fall Ottawa Fall Colours http://www.somersault.ca/eventfallcolours.htm
Fall Niagara Falls http://www.niagarafallsmarathon.com/

Impressive list. There is also an evening, marathon only option as part of the Great Canadian triathlon event in Ottawa at the end of August. Isn't there also one in Amherstberg?

[jes]

There are probably a ton of other options I'm not thinking about.

There are currently 21 Marathons in Ontario that I am aware of, including three with shared courses, one each with Michigan, New York and Quebec. By season, there are 3 Winter and 6 in each other season. May's Toronto Marathon is absolutely among the best.

Winter Toronto Indoor http://www.run4rkids.com/
Winter Thunderwolves Indoor http://thunderwolves.ca/?page=IndoorMarathon
Winter Winterman http://somersault.ca/eventwinterman.htm

Spring Sudbury Rocks http://www.sudburyrocksmarathon.com/
Spring Ottawa http://www.ncm.ca/
Spring Mississauga http://www.mississaugamarathon.com
Spring Toronto http://www.torontomarathon.com/
Spring Whitby http://www.winmarathon.com/
Spring Waterloo http://www.waterloomarathon.com/

Summer Friendly Massey http://www.friendlymasseymarathon.com/
Summer Niagara Ultra http://www.ouser.org/races/NIAGARA_Ultra_2010_info.pdf
Summer EndurRun http://www.endurrun.com/stages.html
Summer The Canadian http://www.eventsonline.ca/events/somer ... t=canadian
Summer Miles With the Giant http://www.thunderbaymarathon.com/
Summer Run for Heroes Marathon http://www.runningflat.com/index2.html

Fall Prince Edward County http://www.pecmarathon.ca/
Fall Detroit http://www.freepmarathon.com/
Fall Hamilton http://hamiltonmarathon.ca/
Fall Toronto Waterfront http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/
Fall Ottawa Fall Colours http://www.somersault.ca/eventfallcolours.htm
Fall Niagara Falls http://www.niagarafallsmarathon.com/

Impressive list. There is also an evening, marathon only option as part of the Great Canadian triathlon event in Ottawa at the end of August. Isn't there also one in Amherstberg?

That's a really helpful list. Can we make this a sticky somewhere, somehow? Maybe in the Resources section (or is it already there?)

[jonovision_man]

Is it all on http://www.roadraceresults.com/complete ... l&city=all

?

[jes]

Is it all on http://www.roadraceresults.com/complete ... l&city=all

?

Sure, that's great too, but it's nice to have our own list on our own site

[Double Bellybuster]

Impressive list. There is also an evening, marathon only option as part of the Great Canadian triathlon event in Ottawa at the end of August. Isn't there also one in Amherstberg?

These are among the 21.

Evening:
Summer The Canadian http://www.eventsonline.ca/events/somer ... t=canadian

Amherstberg:
Summer Run for Heroes Marathon http://www.runningflat.com/index2.html

[Double Bellybuster]

Is it all on http://www.roadraceresults.com/complete ... l&city=all

?

This online list has always omitted two indoor track marathons Jon, ironically your secret dream races, as well as the Winterman Marathon and the Miles with the Giant in Amherstberg.

But glad you posted as there are several new planned races for 2013. I'll confirm and post an updated list.

I started keeping a list shortly after I started running in 2008. It seemed at that time that I may run most of the Ontario Marathons at some point. But with the advent of grants for anyone who asks, new events are popping up more quickly than I can run the existing races and we may be i the mid-20s for 2013.

[Double Bellybuster]

I'll confirm and post an updated list.

Looks like 22 now:

Winter Fool's http://www.welovetorun.com/events/fools.html
Winter Toronto Indoor http://www.run4rkids.com/
Winter Thunderwolves Indoor http://thunderwolves.ca/?page=IndoorMarathon
Winter Winterman http://somersault.ca/eventwinterman.htm

Spring Sudbury Rocks http://www.sudburyrocksmarathon.com/
Spring Ottawa http://www.ncm.ca/
Spring Mississauga http://www.mississaugamarathon.com
Spring Toronto http://www.torontomarathon.com/
Spring Whitby http://www.winmarathon.com/
Spring Waterloo http://www.waterloomarathon.com/

Summer Friendly Massey http://www.friendlymasseymarathon.com/
Summer Niagara Ultra http://www.ouser.org/races/NIAGARA_Ultra_2010_info.pdf
Summer EndurRun http://www.endurrun.com/stages.html
Summer The Canadian http://www.eventsonline.ca/events/somer ... t=canadian
Summer Miles With the Giant http://www.thunderbaymarathon.com/
Summer Run for Heroes Marathon http://www.runningflat.com/index2.html

Fall Prince Edward County http://www.pecmarathon.ca/
Fall Detroit http://www.freepmarathon.com/
Fall Hamilton http://hamiltonmarathon.ca/
Fall Toronto Waterfront http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/
Fall Ottawa Fall Colours http://www.somersault.ca/eventfallcolours.htm
Fall Niagara Falls http://www.niagarafallsmarathon.com/Marathon

[Double Bellybuster]

Make that 23:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46423