Hotels & Travel >> Team US
Team US
Join TEAM US on the running vacation of a lifetime.
Guaranteed entry for all international runners.
Register here
IMPORTANT 2008 update for runners and families coming to Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in September...
-
You do NOT need a passport to cross the border [and return home safely!] by LAND: you DO need a passport to travel by AIR.
-
Money-saver tips from JetBlue
Are you from New York, Boston or Florida?
For a GREAT vacation, why not fly to BUFFALO, NY from JFK, Boston, or Orlando and Fort Lauderdale for as little as US$99 each way?
Then rent a car for the scenic 2-hour drive to Toronto, via Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and the vineyards, plus the Shaw Festival Theatre?
This way you SAVE $$, you do NOT need a passport to cross the border by land, and you build an unforgettable weekend experience.
You can book the air and car rental TODAY at www.jetblue.com.
Team US Wristbands
Show your colors! Free Team US wristbands available for runners... only. Pick yours up at the Running, Health & Fitness Expo at the Information Desk at packet pick-up. Now you can join the elite runners flying your national colors, on a Toronto Waterfront Weekend to remember!
Team US Elite 2008
TBA
US Visitors to Canada
Travel by Air
All persons, including U.S. Citizens, travelling by air between the United States and Canada (including in transit passengers who are transferring planes in the U.S.) are required to present a valid passport or NEXUS card, according to an American law, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
Frequently Asked Questions for Americans are available at: www.travel.state.gov.
Travel by Land or Water
The US has begun phasing in WHTI requirements by identifying new document requirements for entry into the U.S. by land and water. U.S. and Canadian citizens now need to present either a WHTI-compliant document or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. Naturalized U.S. citizens should carry a naturalization certificate. Permanent U.S. residents who are not citizens are advised to bring their Alien Registration Receipt Card (Green Card).
U.S. citizens may now apply for the new U.S. Passport Card in anticipation of land border travel document requirements. The DHS expects cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008.
The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card may not be used to travel by air. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same standards.
Final document requirements for travel by land and water will be implemented no earlier than June 1, 2009.
For more information, visit the US Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.
American Traveler's Tips
- Traveling by air? Get daily direct flights from most US cities, often under US$200. When you get here, you'll find all our hotels, food and attractions at least 30% less than in the US! Check www.orbitz.com and www.expedia.com for latest, best deals.
- Temperatures in Celcius: 0°C is freezing (32°F), something you're not likely to experience in September in Toronto; 10°C is a chilly summer morning or mild winter day (50°F); 20°C is room temperature (68°F); and 30°C is a hot summer day (86°F).
- Distances in Metric: The marathon is 42.2km, half marathon is 21.1km, and 5k = 3.1 miles. A kilometer (spelled "kilometre" in Canada, eh?) equals 0.62 miles (a bit less than 2/3 of a mile). Conversely, 1 mile = 1.6km. To convert your pace per mile into pace per kilometer, multiply by 0.62. For example, a 6 minute mile is 3:43 per km; 7 min/mile = 4:20/km; 8 min/mile = 4:58/km, and so on. Get pace charts in minutes per mile AND minutes per kilometre.
The Penguin's Top 10 Tips for Americans Visiting Toronto
10. Canadians don't think it's all that funny when you end every sentence with "AY?"
9. Canadians think they live in North America, even though everyone knows they live in Canada.
8. Canadians don't know any more about US geography than we know about Canadian geography. When asked where you live, just say New York.
7. Canadians use the metric system, so everything seems farther away than it really is.
6. Don't bother listening to the weather forecasts. They use the "Celcius System." You'll never figure out what the temperature is.
5. Everything, all signs, all labels—everything—is in English and French. Nobody knows why.
4. Tim Horton was a famous hockey player. Then he started making donuts. Nobody knows why.
3. Canadian paper money is like US paper money, only more colorful.
2. A one-dollar coin in Canada is called a "Loonie", because there's a "Loon" on one side.
1. A two-dollar coin is called a "toonie". Nobody knows why.
American Runner Stories
Send us your story and photo for this page!
2006:
Sep 14/06: Karl Gruber, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, to do 71st marathon on Waterfront... veteran of "Super Run for the Cure"—52 marathons in 52 weeks—inspired by Terry Fox.
Hi Toronto,
I just wanted to let you know that if you are looking for any
interesting stories for your race, I may be one. From May 5, 1996 to
April 27, 1997 I successfully ran and completed 52 marathons in 52 weeks
to raise money and awareness for and about leukemia. I called it my "Super
Run for the Cure", and three of those 52 marathons were Canadian races,
Ottawa, Calagary and Montreal.
Terry Fox was one of my inspirations, too! I figured if he could run across
Canada on one good leg, over a marathon a day, I could run one marathon
a week on two good legs. Go to my "Super Run" website at:
http://members.tripod.com/~MarathonMan
for more information.
I am truly looking forward to coming up and running Toronto on Sunday,
Sept. 24. It will me my 71st marathon distance race!
"Gotta Run!",
Karl Gruber
Sep 5/06: Flat, Fast and Festive – the Fabulous Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Cracking the
case of the 'Maltese Blue Jay'... By Christopher Russell
"My name is Gunner, Luc Gunner. I'm a private dick. I specialize in solving cases about
races. One of the most compelling and shocking cases I've ever worked was the case of this
year's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon..."
...full story
Sep 3/06: Chicago lawyer and veteran of over 300 marathons, Susan Daley, wins Chicago Athlete contest for trip for 2 to Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon!
Susan and her partner James are on their way to Toronto Waterfront with a strong Chicago-area contingent, led by John "The Penguin" Bingham and Coach Jenny Hadfield from Chicago Endurance Sports ...full story
Jun 7/06: Corinne Makarewich of Harrisonburg, Virginia, wins Runner's World USA contest! Join her, John "The Penguin" Bingham and Team America, at Toronto Waterfront '06.
Congratulations go out to Corinne and her twin sister, who won the weekend trip to Toronto Waterfront '06. And THANKS to the more than 2,000 runners who entered the Runner's World USA contest! ...full story
2005:
Ted Traynor's (Houston, TX) story from Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2005:
"I would recommend this race to any Houston Strider...it's a great, flat course, a great web training program, a 2-year Boston qualifier, with enjoyable entertainment in a fun, safe city environment. If you can score tickets to the world premier of the $23 million Lord of the Rings musical, prior to its 2008 Broadway opening, you can experience middle earth and marathon heaven all in one trip to Toronto!"
For all of Ted's story, go to Houston Stridelines Newsletter, November 2005 (PDF, story on pg 7).