Event and Race Reviews This is a growing collection of Race and Event Reviews. All of these reviews were written by our members and represent each author's experiences and opinions only. Back to Events Listing
Longboat
(Toronto, Ontario)
Author: Lean_Machine
Date: 2005-09-13
I will add my 2 cents to this review. As a newbie runner, I expected a lot less and so was impressed with most of it.
Other good points:
1. calling out times at various intervals (for those of us without Garmins)
2. clearly marked distances
3. well-organized finishing area
Newbie bad points:
1. confusion and poor PA system at the start line
2. a tight corner right at the start
3. the 9 km marker was wayyyy too far - I had just passed it and someone was yelling saying there were only 100 m to go!
But I will do this race again and again and recommend it to any new runners as their first! Author: dgrant
Date: 2005-09-12
First I must say that the only reason I ran this race was because of jane's review of the race on this board. I'm glad I did.
Since I was nursing a bit of an injury, I decided to sign up on raceday morning. The system seemed to flow easily and I was registered and bag-checked quickly.
The raceday registration was $40, which is on the high side of the spectrum for a 10K race, but included a technical fabric long sleeve shirt, which is unsual for a smallish club race.
The start area was simple and although the course was very winding, there was enough of a staightaway early on to allow runners to separate. The course zigzags across the island on asphalt, grass, and a wooden boardwalk. It is one of the more scenic races I've run.
The post-race BBQ was okay. There is a nice big lawn to relax in after the race.
The only negatives about this race were the lack of chip-timing (although their system of spotters worked well and I feel I was recorded with an accurate time) and the fact that the course is not technically closed to cyclists and pedestrians (although there were very few of these).
I would recommend this race to Toronto area runners. Author: runjanerun
Date: 2005-08-11
This is one of my favourite races. I have done it since 1999. I like it so much I have even driven all the way to Toronto (2 hours) by myself to do it!
This event is a 10K and 5K run and a 5K power walk. The route is partly on pavement, partly on grass and the last part on the boardwalk. If you are not used to different surfaces, it can be a little challenging. Until I started trail running, I found the grass and boardwalk difficult. Now it suits me just fine! It is a totally flat route.
This is a big family event with everyone bringing their kids and strollers. It is still fun if you are there without kids too though. You have to get the ferry over to the island, and because of this, it doesn't start until 11:15 a.m. which makes it HOT HOT HOT (has been every year I've done it). Well, the adult race starts at 11:15. They have a children's 1K race first. They all get bibs with the #1 on it, and they all get medals, I believe. They have their own little aerobic warm up first.
They have a great BBQ afterwards with hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as veggie burgers and I think veggie dogs too. Other family members can purchase their meal - runners get one trip through with their race bib. There is tons of food. They have lots of door prizes. Last year the infamous Ed Whitlock ran the run, and we got to talk to him briefly walking back to the ferry.
The scenery is beautiful - nothing like running surrounded by trees and water, and with the CN Tower and Skydome just across the Toronto Harbour.
I am getting excited just thinking about this run! Can't wait!!
By the way, this is the 25th Anniversary and the first 800 who register get a technical shirt this year. The registration is currently $30 (pretty cheap for a technical shirt) but goes up to $35 on August 14.
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