Midsummer Night's Run moves to Toronto Islands

[ratherawkward]

Interesting... apparently due to the construction around the Leslie St/Cherry St areas, the Midsummer Night's Run is moving to the island for "at least the 2013 race year". I've never done this event before, but I have to say, apart from crowding on the ferries, this seems like a potential plus for me. (I'd already signed up for the 30k, back when they had their super-early-bird discount).

[O Z D]

There are a few races on the Island every year, so they can obviously handle it, but I am not sure if it is for me.
Part of the draw of Midsummers was proximity to my place. TTC to the Ferry, the Ferry, waiting for the Ferry to get home...not sure I feel like all that hassle after I've run.

I did the 15k Mid last year and loved it in large part due to the course. Not sure I am looking forward to doing a 3 loops of a 5k course.
It was a very fun race last year, but I will hold out until I see the actual route..

[Bradsgrl]

I am getting a refund because of the route. For me running 30k is a huge mental hurdle...so doing 3 loops around the island will serious make me go crazy!
The whole ferry situation will suck also...

[La]

I'm torn about this one, too. I've done 10K on the island, but I don't know about 30K. And at that time of day the logistics of getting to/from the island will be a PITA. McLeary Park is only 1K from my house, so that was perfect for me in the past.

And yes, there is a LOT of construction going on near Queen/Leslie/Commissioners/Lakeshore that is going to make my life miserable until at least the end of 2014.

[HCcD]

Hmmmmm .. wast toying in returning back to the Midsummer Night's Run this summer ... hmmm ... Would the Novotel host hotel incl shuttle bus to and from, still be more convenient to stay at and/or any suggested hotel closer to the race site be recomended ??

[purdy65]

Andy. I'd say the Westin is the most convenient.

I have done a couple of races on the island, and it's great! I agree though, 3 loops might drive me 'loopy'.

[HCcD]

Andy. I'd say the Westin is the most convenient.

I have done a couple of races on the island, and it's great! I agree though, 3 loops might drive me 'loopy'.

Thanks Lisa ...

To clarify the original question ... also, has to be reasonably priced ... I guess I should google where the heck Toronto Island is now, eh !!! Greyhound ?? VIA Rail or just suck it up and drive from Ottawa ??

[Jogger Barbie]

And at that time of day the logistics of getting to/from the island will be a PITA.

No kidding. I'm not a huge fan of this race to begin with, and the extra hassle makes it even more unlikely that it will make it on to my calendar. I wish there was a 30 km race in early September.

[La]

Andy. I'd say the Westin is the most convenient.

I have done a couple of races on the island, and it's great! I agree though, 3 loops might drive me 'loopy'.

Thanks Lisa ...

To clarify the original question ... also, has to be reasonably priced ... I guess I should google where the heck Toronto Island is now, eh !!! Greyhound ?? VIA Rail or just suck it up and drive from Ottawa ??

You can walk to the ferry dock from that Novotel on The Esplanade (it's less than 1K). The ferry dock is at the foot of Bay St. (at Queen's Quay).

There are some good deals available on Via right now (~$100), and on Porter (~$250).

[HCcD]

Andy. I'd say the Westin is the most convenient.

I have done a couple of races on the island, and it's great! I agree though, 3 loops might drive me 'loopy'.

Thanks Lisa ...

To clarify the original question ... also, has to be reasonably priced ... I guess I should google where the heck Toronto Island is now, eh !!! Greyhound ?? VIA Rail or just suck it up and drive from Ottawa ??

You can walk to the ferry dock from that Novotel on The Esplanade (it's less than 1K). The ferry dock is at the foot of Bay St. (at Queen's Quay).

There are some good deals available on Via right now (~$100), and on Porter (~$250).

Thanks La, I have no idea where everything is in Toronto .... Guess, the Novotel is still a good choice then ....

[La]

The Westin (Harbour Castle) is for sure closer (right beside the ferry docks) but will be more expensive than the Novotel. You can walk from Union Station (ViaRail) to either hotel. And the Porter shuttle (free) drops you off at the Royal York, which is across the street from Union, so that's walkable, too.

IMO, the walkable distance (1K radius) to the ferry docks will be anything south of King St., Jarvis to the east and John St. to the west. There are lots of hotel options within that boundary.

[lorei]

I don't love the looping but, I love running on the island! It's logistically easier for me to get to as well........ 3 loops! Here we go!

[rambo999]

Hmmmmm .. wast toying in returning back to the Midsummer Night's Run this summer ... hmmm ... Would the Novotel host hotel incl shuttle bus to and from, still be more convenient to stay at and/or any suggested hotel closer to the race site be recomended ??

The Westin is way too expensive. If you want something closer and a bit cheaper go for the Radisson Hotel located on Queens Quay & Simcoe. It's about 2 blocks or so from the ferry docks at Qieens Quay & Bay. Also Radisson is the closest hotel from Porter Airport which is walkable.

[Robinandamelia]

And at that time of day the logistics of getting to/from the island will be a PITA.

No kidding. I'm not a huge fan of this race to begin with, and the extra hassle makes it even more unlikely that it will make it on to my calendar. I wish there was a 30 km race in early September.

Me too....

[fingerboy]

Lol... I can't believe they have found a way to make "the worst race in the world" even worse...


I'm surprised people even still pay for this too. Let it die. They don't take responsibility for putting on the worst event. They poison runners, give out the same medals every year, have terrible logistics, don't respond to emails, charge for beer... Seriously I regret I once loved this race.

[HCcD]

Thanks for all the positive, err negative feedback /vibes about this race and new location, I will probably skip it this year .. just realized that the Cornwall Triathlon/Duathlon is the following weekend and I am already registered and planning to spend the weekend down there, as a result ....

[HCcD]

Lol... I can't believe they have found a way to make "the worst race in the world" even worse...


I'm surprised people even still pay for this too. Let it die. They don't take responsibility for putting on the worst event. They poison runners, give out the same medals every year, have terrible logistics, don't respond to emails, charge for beer... Seriously I regret I once loved this race.

c'mon fingboy, tell us how you really feel about this race ... no holding back, 'k !!!

[MrBond]

Lol... I can't believe they have found a way to make "the worst race in the world" even worse...


I'm surprised people even still pay for this too. Let it die. They don't take responsibility for putting on the worst event. They poison runners, give out the same medals every year, have terrible logistics, don't respond to emails, charge for beer... Seriously I regret I once loved this race.

Don't hold back - let it all out !

[Jogger Barbie]

They poison runners...

Thought that I'd kept up with the threads on this race, but somehow I missed this. Food poisoning from the on-course Gatorade or something? Ugh.

[fingerboy]

They poison runners...

Thought that I'd kept up with the threads on this race, but somehow I missed this. Food poisoning from the on-course Gatorade or something? Ugh.

I heard people got sick from the water last year.

[canalrunner]

They poison runners...

Thought that I'd kept up with the threads on this race, but somehow I missed this. Food poisoning from the on-course Gatorade or something? Ugh.

I heard people got sick from the water last year.

I believe the evidence is on the Rob Ford video.

[O Z D]

They poison runners...

Thought that I'd kept up with the threads on this race, but somehow I missed this. Food poisoning from the on-course Gatorade or something? Ugh.

I heard people got sick from the water last year.

You heard that people got sick. "They poison runners" does not seem like much of a stretch then...

I ran last year, drank quite a bit of water (It was a very hot evening) and did not get sick. Luckily I have spent the last few years building up an immunity to iocane powder.

[Ken B]

I am getting a refund because of the route. For me running 30k is a huge mental hurdle...so doing 3 loops around the island will serious make me go crazy!
The whole ferry situation will suck also...

How did you get a refund? I was never informed of this change although I registered in April. This is the first I have heard about the change. I went online on there website but there was no information regarding refunds.

Thanks,

Ken

[temporun]

I have never done this run but I was under the impression that it was one of the more popular runs. Most reviews in past years have been mostly positive.

[MrBond]

They poison runners...

Thought that I'd kept up with the threads on this race, but somehow I missed this. Food poisoning from the on-course Gatorade or something? Ugh.

I heard people got sick from the water last year.

You heard that people got sick. "They poison runners" does not seem like much of a stretch then...

I ran last year, drank quite a bit of water (It was a very hot evening) and did not get sick. Luckily I have spent the last few years building up an immunity to iocane powder.

INCONCEIVABLE !!!!