Sep 09 2024

How Canada Running Series is Changing the Face of Sustainability in Running

We all love to run – that’s why we’re here, right? We love it for our physical and mental health, to thrive within our run community, and oh! that endorphin rush! We love that big gulp of fresh air after the final push to the finish line, and we LOVE that well-deserved cold drink at the end of a long run.

But as we watch our streets flood, forests burn, and local communities literally in the line of fire suffer devastating consequences, it’s not hard to picture a time when running might not be as simple as stepping out of the house with a pair of shoes on our feet.

Did you know that in 2023, the number of air quality bulletins issued by Environment Canada spiked to unprecedented levels, more than double those of 2021, the next highest year?

In some parts of Canada, summer has become “fire season,” prompting us to ask: What can we do to ensure we can continue participating in the sport we love for future generations?

At Canada Running Series, we’re serious about supporting the communities we run through. That means supporting their health, well-being, and natural environments. We’ve put our money where our mouth is and made some big sustainability commitments, including certifying with the Council for Responsible Sport.

Here are the top five sustainability programs you can find at all Canada Running Series events:

1. Waste management at races

Forget dumping everything in one big dumpster and letting it go to the landfill. We’re BIG on waste sorting and do our best to divert as much event waste away from landfills as possible. This effort includes using compostable cups at all water stations, donating all leftover food to local food security programs, donating clothing to local charities, and sorting all the waste that comes through our events into recycling, compost, or landfill.

In 2024, we aim for our biggest waste goal yet: a zero-waste event* at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

*Note that “zero-waste” is commonly referred to as any waste diversion efforts that result in 90% more waste diversion.

2. Sustainable running medals

Our medals, including ribbons, are made of 100% recycled content! We order medals in two stages to make our orders as accurate as possible and reduce waste. All leftover medals are recycled after the event to ensure a full-circle life cycle product.

3. No more bottled water at running events

That’s right—you won’t find any single-use plastic water bottles at our events! The regions where our events occur are fortunate to have safe and reliable drinking water sources on tap.

That means we can avoid plastic and provide our participants with a delicious sip of water from a delightfully compostable cup straight from city sources. We are fully committed to this goal and request our stakeholders, partners, participants, and spectators to help us and do the same!

4. Bring your own bottle to Canada Running Series races

Did you know you can BYOB (bottle) at all our events? That’s right! Stop by our water stations with your own bottle, hydration vest, or cup, and we’ll refill it on the go. You’ve been training like that anyway; why not try it on race day and send fewer cups to the organics bin?

5. Introducing the Green Bib Registration Program

No shirt, no medal, no problem! All Canada Running Series events offer participants a green bib registration option, giving them a choice around what items they want to receive for their race day.

Instead of receiving a shirt or medal, green bib participants can donate $10 to one of our sustainability charities, Trees for Life or Trans Canada Trail – and you’ll get a charitable receipt for your donation, too.

So, if you’re running your umpteenth marathon and don’t have the space on your trophy rack for more hardware, now you can help our planet while saving that closet space for that coveted Boston jacket.

Making Sustainable Choices Every Day

We know sometimes it’s inconvenient or impossible to make sustainable choices every day, but we’re here to help you reduce the impact of your race day and make responsible choices that still get you to that finish line. By making conscious lifestyle choices and choosing events that prioritize environmental responsibility, we can all do a little bit to make a big difference in the future of our running communities.

May 08 2024

Celebrating the Legacy of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By Olivia Hoskin | History, Races | No Comments

The Toronto Waterfront Marathon (TWM) is more than just a race; it’s a storied chapter in Canadian and global long-distance running history. This event weaves through the heart of Toronto annually in October, featuring a full marathon, half marathon, and 5 km race, attracting runners from around the globe. Known for its scenic course along Toronto’s beautiful waterfront, the TWM stands as a testament to human endurance, community spirit, and the transformative power of running.

A Marathon of Records and Firsts

Since its inception, the Toronto Waterfront Marathon has been a battleground for breaking records and setting new standards in marathon running. The 2013 edition saw Deressa Chimsa shattering the men’s course record, clocking the fastest marathon ever on Canadian soil. This clearly indicates the race’s caliber and appeal to elite runners worldwide. Similarly, in 2011, Koren Jelela Yal set the women’s course record, establishing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon as a premier running event

Ed Whitlock’s Enduring Legacy

The TWM is also intertwined with the extraordinary feats of Canadian runner Ed Whitlock. Whitlock’s achievements, including becoming the oldest man to run a marathon in under three hours and setting multiple age-group world records at TWM, have cemented his legend and highlighted the marathon as a platform for extraordinary human achievements.

A New Canadian Record

In 2018, Cam Levins made history at the TWM by breaking Jerome Drayton’s 43-year-old Canadian men’s national record for the marathon. This momentous achievement underscored the TWM’s role in the evolution of Canadian long-distance running.

Fastest Marathon on Canadian Soil

Kenya’s Philemon Rono’s 2:05:00 in 2019 remains the fastest marathon run on Canadian soil (along with the fastest time in North America that year). Plus, Kenya’s Magdalyne Masai-Robertson’s 2:22:16 in 2019 is also the women’s Canadian soil record.

Canadian Women’s Records Broken

In 2013, Lanni Marchant (2:27:58) and Krista DuChene (2:28:29) both broke Silvia Ruegger’s 2:28:36 Canadian record (set in 1985) at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Lanni won the Canadian Women’s race that year, and it would be almost ten years before Malindi Elmore broke the Canadian Women’s marathon record.

Navigating Challenges

The global COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges, leading to the cancellation of the 2020 in-person race. However, the TWM’s spirit remained unbroken, with virtual races allowing participants to maintain their connection to the event and continue supporting charitable causes.

A Force for Good

The Toronto Waterfront Marathon has been a significant force for philanthropy, raising millions of dollars for charity through the Charity Challenge, raising anywhere from 2.5 – 4M per year for various organizations.

The Marathon’s Cultural Impact

Ed Whitlock: More Than a Marathoner

Ed Whitlock remains one of the most compelling figures in the history of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. His unconventional approach to training, lack of sponsorship, and remarkable performances have made him a global icon, attracting attention from media outlets worldwide. Whitlock’s legacy transcends running, inspiring countless individuals to rethink the boundaries of age and potential.

Fauja Singh: The Centenarian

Fauja Singh’s participation in the TWM further exemplifies the marathon’s cultural resonance and that running has no age limits. As the oldest man to ever finish a marathon, Singh’s story of resilience and determination has captivated audiences worldwide, from Vice Media to the New York Times, showcasing the marathon’s capacity to inspire and amaze.

Always Improving the Marathon Experience

Evergreen Certification

In 2023, The Council for Responsible Sport certified the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon with the highest distinction possible: Evergreen Certification. This award recognizes the event’s outstanding social, environmental, economic, and community impact.

A Bright Future with TCS

In 2024, the TWM, now sponsored by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), anticipates one of its biggest turnouts, with 25,000 runners from over 70 countries. This new chapter promises to build on the marathon’s rich competition, community, and innovation legacy. It includes the introduction of a race app featuring a carbon footprint calculator, highlighting TCS’s commitment to sustainability.

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From breaking records to breaking barriers, the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon has become a beacon of inspiration, community, and athletic excellence. As it continues to evolve, the TWM remains a pivotal event in the global running calendar, celebrated not just for its scenic course and competitive field but for its profound impact on runners, spectators, and the wider community. Here’s to many more years of memorable races, remarkable achievements, and the unifying power of running.

Aug 10 2023

Dayna Pidhoresky Seeking Second Canadian Marathon Championship in Toronto

By Olivia Hoskin | Athletes, Canadian Athlete Announcements, Races | No Comments

by Paul Gains

TORONTO, ON (August 10, 2023) – Elite marathoners have many options to chase fast times each fall. Dayna Pidhoresky has chosen the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 15th where she will seek her second Canadian Championship gold medal in four years.

The 36-year-old Vancouver resident was the first Canadian finisher at this event in 2019, crossing the line in a personal best 2:29:03 and was rewarded with an automatic position on Canada’s Tokyo Olympics bound team.

Although this year’s edition of Toronto Waterfront Marathon is not an Olympic Trials it is, for the fifth consecutive year, the National Championships – and it has a World Athletics Elite Label. A stellar cast is therefore guaranteed.

“I think for me it’s helpful that it’s familiar. The travel is familiar, the course is familiar, so it sort of takes the guess work out of that part,” she explains. “If you are doing an overseas fall marathon that can be part of that stress which is from just not knowing what to expect.

“In this case Toronto is a race I have lined up for many times in the past. And also, it’s not a slow course; I know I can run fast there. I have run fast before. I do hope to run faster than I have before.”

Originally from Tecumseh, a town near Windsor, Ontario she and her husband Josh Seifarth have been living in Vancouver for ten years now. Although she has raced many times in the U.S. and represented Canada at the 2017 World Championships as well as at the Tokyo Olympics, domestic races have been a large part of her curriculum vitae. Indeed, she won both the 2022 and 2023 Vancouver Marathons, the latter in 2:34:27.

Pidhoresky realises that winning a Canadian title earns an additional 45 World Athletics Ranking points on top of points awarded for a finishing time. Those extra points could be worth more than four minutes to her. In other words, if she equals her personal best in Toronto and wins the Canadian title she would earn 1187 WA points – the same as if she had run 2:24:35 at another race.

That would put her in contention for a spot on Canada’s team for next year’s Paris Olympics. It would mean everything if she were successful.

“Yeah, absolutely. I feel that is one of the reasons I am working so hard,” she says. “It’s really to try and get on another Olympic team. I feel I have unfinished business at the Olympics. It’s not about placing it’s about leaving there feeling I was able to do my best on the day.”

On her flight to Tokyo for the Olympic Games two years ago she and Josh were seated near someone who tested positive for Covid. That resulted in an enforced confinement inside their Gifu hotel room for several days during which they were not allowed to leave the room. She endured a further isolation in Sapporo – not ideal preparation for the biggest race of her life.

Team officials brought her a stationary bicycle intended to replace her running. Already nursing a tendon injury she was a shadow of herself when it came time to run the Olympic marathon in Sapporo. She struggled home in 73rd place. The memories are bitter. A good race in Toronto would go a long way to reducing the disappointment of two years ago.

Recently, she began her buildup towards Toronto and in contrast to previous years she is in good health.

“So far it is going well. We are doing a twelve week build so we have just begun,” Pidhoresky reveals. “The first week of the build I ran 161km. For us it’s about week after week of solid mileage so if we can have several weeks in a row at 180km and, I can keep grinding through that kind of training, it really works well for me.”

Most of her training is done alone with Seifarth accompanying her on the long 38-40km runs on a bicycle. He carries drinks for her so that they don’t need to put out tables during training. A mid-week interval or fartlek session is done with some of the other athletes he coaches.

Surprisingly the subject of Toronto’s prize money doesn’t come up in conversation. There is $130,000 prize money available with the winners each receiving $20,000. Included in this purse is $8,000 for the male and female Canadian champions as well as a share of the overall purse should they finish in the top 8 overall. It’s only when the subject is raised that she comments.

“I did go into this year thinking I didn’t want to be chasing prize money because I am really focused on running as fast as I can,” she allows, “and sometimes that means not worrying about making money.

“Last year I was focused on trying to win money and this year I just need to run as fast as I can. Maybe that means going to races where there is no way I can make money and instead I am losing money to run a fast time. I think that it would be nice to come home with a little cheque though.”

A year and a half ago the couple bought a condominium in Vancouver close to ideal training terrain at the University of British Columbia and Pacific Spirit Park. Seifarth started an automotive software company called Visifii working out of a home office. Pidhoresky contributes a few hours a week between training, physiotherapy, massage therapy and strength training sessions. And she has other interests which she finds soothing.

“Sometimes I bake. I do enjoy baking these days,” she says laughing. “I have a friend who lives in the building right besides ours and we will bake. Then our husbands will eat 95% of what we bake. So it’s sort of perfect.”

Life is good for Pidhoresky and she hopes that a stellar performance in Toronto will seal a place on Canada’s team for next year’s Olympics in Paris. Then it will be redemption time.

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Aug 03 2023

Tristan Woodfine Eyes Paris Berth at TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By Olivia Hoskin | Athletes, Canadian Athlete Announcements, Races | No Comments

by Paul Gains

TORONTO, ON (August 3, 2023) – Tristan Woodfine’s pursuit of an Olympic Games berth resumes October 15th at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

The event is once again a World Athletics Elite Label race and will also serve as the 2023 Canadian marathon championship. This presents the 30 year old native of Cobden, Ontario with a splendid opportunity to earn enough valuable world ranking points to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

This is his second attempt at becoming a Canadian Olympian.

In 2020 he ran a personal best of 2:10:51 at the London Marathon – well under the 2020 Olympic qualifying standard – and looked to have secured his place in the Canadian team bound for the Tokyo Games. But then Vancouver’s Ben Preisner ran 34 seconds faster to bump him from the third position.

Despite an appeal he remained at home.

For the past year he has been coached by Reid Coolsaet, himself a two time Canadian Olympic marathoner (2012 and 2016). The pair went about choosing Toronto for his Olympic attempt methodically.

“It minimizes travel so I don’t have to worry about jet lag,” Woodfine explains. “Second, the Canada Running Series puts on a great series. They take care of the elites well and it’s well run. So that limits the unknown stress of doing a foreign race where you don’t know how things will go. I have complete trust in (race director) Alan (Brookes) and his team.”

The 2024 Olympic automatic qualifying standard is 2:08:10, a time which has been bettered by only one Canadian in history, Cam Levins. So the prospect of earning valuable points, which come with winning a national championships, on top of a fast time, was too much to resist.

Coolsaet pointed out that winning a national championship is worth an additional 45 points, which on the World Athletics scoring tables, is equivalent to running 2 minutes 30 seconds faster. In other words, if Woodfine were to run a personal best and win in Toronto it would be like running 2:08:00 in a World Marathon Major like Berlin.

“You can hit Olympic qualifying standard,” Woodfine continues, “but if you have to get through on points there are extra points available because it is the Canadian championships. So for those reasons it made sense.

“We were trying to figure out how to maximize the points. You want to maximize time and you want to maximize points and you try and find the balance. If you maximize the points but run too slow then it doesn’t matter. It felt like Toronto was the best of both worlds.”

Woodfine ran the 2019 Toronto Waterfront Marathon finishing 13th in 2:13:16 but since then has really gone from strength to strength.

A year ago he won the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon in a personal best of 62:45. The race is run simultaneously with the marathon and since the emphasis is on the classic marathon distance there are some restrictions.

“Alan has strict policy you (half marathoners) can’t go ahead of the marathoners because of TV coverage and all that,” he reveals. “So I felt in that half I could have gone faster. I was thinking ‘this is actually too easy for a half,’ but obviously I couldn’t go and had to wait for the last kilometre.

“At the same time I ran my 2:10:51 (in London) when my personal best in the half marathon was 63:30. I tend to do better the longer the distance gets. I don’t necessarily need a fast half marathon PB to run a good marathon. It’s nice to have the faster half marathon PB but mentally it doesn’t affect me quite as much.”

Woodfine has had some impressive races over shorter distances already this year with a 10km personal best of 29:06. That came at the chaotic Valencia 10km where many of the elite racers collided at the start and fell to the ground. Although he wasn’t directly affected he was slow off the line in an attempt to avoid the mayhem. A sub 29 clocking was in his grasp that day.

He won the Under Armour Toronto Waterfront 10km in 29:12 on June 17th running alone from 3 kilometres onward. All this has him in a positive mood as he begins his twelve week marathon buildup.

“If the weather cooperates Toronto is a pretty fast course,” he says. “You can still run fast if you don’t hit some horrendous weather days. I think it’s the best blend of both worlds.”

Not once during a telephone interview does Woodfine mention the $8,000 winner’s purse allocated for the Canadian champion, an amount that would surely come in handy for he and his wife Madeline in their home near Eganville, Ontario.

Although he graduated from the Ontario College of Health and Technology he has put his career as a paramedic on hold to continue running. A three month clinical placement involving long exhausting shifts was enough to convince him that he could not combine serious running with that vocation. To make ends meet he has an online coaching service.

“For right now it’s fine,” he says of his income. “In the future, looking at having kids, you know certainly that means you have to make more money supporting another human being. Down the road I will have to look at another career but right now it’s fine for the lifestyle I am currently living.”

Woodfine will stand on the Toronto start line with high expectations but knowing he is chasing an Olympic dream that very few realize.

“It would be great (to be Canadian champion),” he acknowledges. “I think I have won just one Canadian championship – the 2019 Canadian Half Marathon – so adding the marathon to that would be awesome.

“Everything is just focused on the 2024 Olympic cycle and doing everything I can to maximize performance over the next year basically. That’s my priority – I haven’t thought too much beyond the next summer.”

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Oct 18 2022

2022 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Race Report

By Ryan | Athletes, Races | No Comments

Records were not threatened today at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon despite fast splits in the first 25km. But the racing was outstanding.

Once again world class fields were assembled for this World Athletics Elite Label race which also doubled as the Canadian marathon championships. The pacemakers for the elite men’s race took a pack of seven through the halfway point in an ambitious 62:27 and 30km in 1:29:40 and the Canadian All Comers’ record of 2:05:00 was still possible.

Once the pacers retired Kenya’s Felix Kandie assumed the lead and opened up a gap which split up the contenders into a single file procession. Over the final ten kilometres Yihunilign Adane ate up the gap and coasted to victory in 2:07:18. This was the second victory this year for the 26 year old Ethiopian as he also won Barcelona last April.

Kandie also submitted to the closing attack of his countryman Kiprono Kipkemoi (2:08:24) finishing 20 seconds later in third place.

“I knew I would catch him in the latter stages,” Yihunilign said afterwards. He was less pleased about the street car tracks and some potholes along one stretch. “I am happy I won but the roadway was a not as good as I expected I could have done better. When there was about 4km left I decided then to run the pace that I could make until the end.”

Kipkemoi would later explain he had tied his shoes too tight and twice had to stop during the race to repair the damage.

“I tied them too tight,” he revealed while rubbing his calves. “And then I used a lot of energy and my leg was paralysed. The course was good but it was a little windy. But the course is flat and good.”

Once again the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon served as the Canadian marathon championships and defending men’s champion, Trevor Hofbauer fought off a side stitch and the relentless pursuit of Rory Linkletter to finish 5th overall in 2:11:00. It was his third Canadian title. Linkletter came home for the silver medal in 2:13:32. Born in Calgary he lives in Flagstaff, Arizona with his wife and infant son who were in attendance at the finish.

The ‘running vet’ Lee Wesselius ran 2:16:51 to claim the bronze medal.

The women’s elite race was expected to be a battle between defending champion and record holder (2:22:16 Magdalyne Masai of Kenya and the Ethiopian woman whose All Comers record she had beaten by one second, Gelete Burka).

Burka had set her standard in Ottawa and was scheduled to race there again last May. But though she received a Canadian visa, her passport was not returned in time to travel. Consequently, she was highly motivated for this competition.

Like Kandie in the men’s race, Gelete took charge with about 10 kilometres remaining and looked as if the first place prize money of $25,000 was hers for the taking. The early pace, however, had taken its toll on the women’s field too. A pair of Kenyans, Antonina Kwambai and Ruth Chebitok went past her to fill the top two places in 2:23:20 and 2:23:58. The Ethiopian finished in 2:24:31. All three could hardly stand once they crossed the line.

“I passed her (Gelete) at 37km,” said the winner of her Ethiopian rival. “She was tiring. This is my first time here in Toronto. It was amazing for me. I am really excited and really happy.” She planned to go sightseeing before her Monday evening departure.

Gelete Burka was happy that she was able to finish. Although the $25,000 first place prize money evaded her, she will collect $10,000 for third.

“I was looking for the win, but I had a problem,” she said moments after exchanging high fives with Magdalyne Masai who had faded to 5th. “After 26km I was feeling my back and I was having a problem. Then I felt it in my hamstring so I could not push it anymore. I just controlled myself to finish in position three.”

Malindi Elmore won the Canadian title in 2:25:14. That was not far off her former Canadian record (2:24:50) set in Houston back in January of 2020. Most significantly she placed 4th overall ahead of Masai and Tseginesh Mekonnin of Ethiopia. It was another bold performance for the woman who finished a superb 9th in the 2021 Olympic marathon.

“That was the goal today,” Elmore said of her Canadian title. “That’s why I came here; I love winning Canadian Championships. It means a lot to me to win them and add that to my resume. It was so great having my family along the course. It made me smile inside every time I went by them.”

The Canadian Championship prize money earned her $8,000 and she also collects $5,000 for her overall fourth place finish.

Defending Canadian champion Dayna Pidhoresky finished second in the Canadian Championship race and seventh place overall. Her time was a commendable 2:30:58, her second best performance ever. Sasha Gollish claimed the bronze in a personal best of 2:31:40.

“It was wonderful to return to in-person racing and with a new sponsor TCS,” said race director Alan Brookes. “The athletes made it an exciting day. And with the attention on records, we often forget about racing. Who could have predicted the outcome during the last ten kilometres?”

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About the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

One of only two World Athletics Elite Label races in Canada, the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada’s premier running event and the grand finale of the Canada Running Series (CRS). Since 2017, the race has served as the Athletics Canada Canadian Marathon Championship and has doubled as the Olympic trials. During the 2021 event, participants raised over $3.08 million for 151 community charities. Using innovation and organization as guiding principles, Canada Running Series stages great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians to recreational and charity runners. With a mission of “building community through the sport of running,” CRS is committed to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process.

To learn more about the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, please visit www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.

Sep 23 2020

How To Stay Motivated For Your Virtual Race

By Damien Hope | Races, Training | No Comments

Presented by Mazda. Proud to be the official automotive sponsor of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

You did it. You’ve signed up for your virtual race. All that’s left between now and race day is preparation. There’s just one hurdle to overcome: staying motivated.

Draw inspiration from these six tips on staying upbeat about your virtual race.

Set Goals

The first step to keeping yourself accountable, and motivated for race day is to set a race goal.

Once you’ve set your virtual race day goals, write them down. Then, to keep your goal top of mind, do any of the following:

Hang it from your fridge
Make it your phone’s home screen.
Update your Instagram bio with your next race and goal.
Set your phone alarm’s label to include your goal.

Daily check-ins and subtle reminders of your goal(s) will help you stay focused for race day.

Follow A Training Plan

You have a goal. Now it’s time to bridge the gap between current fitness and race day fitness. To stay motivated, follow a prescribed training plan.

Sticking to a schedule and trusting your training will give you the confidence to keep going, and to crush it on virtual race day. Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind that you did everything you could to prepare.

Customize Your Race Route

Imagine this: racing your favourite route at a time that best suits you.

Customize your virtual race day route to your liking, and to your comfort level. Not only will this ease the nerves on race day, you’ll be able to draw motivation from actually mapping out the route.

Want to get even more creative? Set up an aid station with your Nuun hydration and fuel on route. Draw kilometre markings on the road with chalk. Although there’s no replicating the cheers and crowds of in-person races, you can do the next best thing.

Make it as fast or as challenging as you desire.

Partner Up*

A running partner can be a secret to success.

A friend not only keeps you accountable, but can actually be a source of motivation in and of itself.

Think about it: when training together, you put in work for yourself, but also for the other person. And vice versa. As much as running is an individual sport, this team effort can be a boost. There are few better aspects to running than having someone with whom you can share your struggles, your triumphs, your highs, and your lows.

*Most importantly, ensure a safe social distance with others, and follow precautions set out by healthcare and medical professionals.

Look Back On Your PBs

Looking back can help move you forward. Revisiting past races where you executed your plan can be motivation as it reminds you that you can do it.

Make It Fun

There’s no denying that your motivation may dip in the lead-up to any race. The key is to stay consistent in your training, and spice up race day to raise the excitement.

Here are a few ideas to add something a little extra for virtual race day:

Set out your race outfit the night before, and take a pre-race gear photo (like this or this).
Create a race day playlist—listen to your favourite songs to pump yourself up to race. Music can also be a great way to stay upbeat during the training phase.
Buy yourself a special beverage and meal for post-race to celebrate your accomplishment.
Ask a friend to bring the virtual race medal with them to give to you at the finish line so you can wear it proudly.
Wear your New Balance Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Virtual souvenir shirt in the days and weeks after the race. You earned it.

That’s it, now you know how to stay motivated for your virtual race. All that’s left is the racing itself.

Starting Oct. 1, be a part of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Virtual Race. From 5K to marathon, race any time between Oct. 1-31. Register now at STWM.ca.

Presented by Mazda. Proud to be the official automotive sponsor of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Sep 21 2020

Athletics Canada Marathon Relay Challenge to Provide Athletes a Virtual Competition

By Damien Hope | Races | No Comments

By Paul Gains

International and domestic road racing schedules have been decimated by the global pandemic leaving athletes scrambling to find competition. In response, Athletics Canada has now partnered with the Canada Running Series to produce the Athletics Canada 42.2k Relay Challenge.

This extraordinary ‘virtual’ initiative will provide a competitive target for athletes in a fun-filled atmosphere over the weekend of October 17-18^th which, under normal circumstances, would be the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon race weekend. The race was also slated to be the 2020 Athletics Canada National Marathon Championship.

Teams consisting of four elite athletes – in male, female and mixed (2+2) categories – will compete for fun prizes and for the opportunity to put to use the training they have completed despite the uncertainty in the racing calendar. Prizing includes Athletics Canada national team merchandise gift certificates, Flying Monkeys beer, branded souvenir beer mugs, nuun hydration gift packs and more. Everyone who participates will also earn unique finishers’ medals – four different aspects of the iconic Toronto Old City Hall Clock Tower that stands at the Waterfront Marathon finish line, which then fit together.

Each athlete will have the opportunity to run their chosen distance, a minimum of 5k, with the four legs totaling 42.2k. They can choose a convenient time during the weekend to run and will then confirm their time and distance by uploading and submitting a screen shot from their GPS log (Strava, Garmin, MapMyRun etc) to Race Roster. Moreover, racers need not be in the same city as one another.

Though this format doesn’t replace an actual marathon competition it may be just what is needed during these challenging times.

For Athletics Canada’s Chief Operating Officer, Mat Gentes, the opportunity to continue a working relationship with Canada Running Series while providing runners with an outlet was compelling.

“There are still athletes putting the time in not knowing when they get to race or compete,” says Gentes. “As opposed to outright canceling and having nothing, which we could have easily done, we thought we would put something together that is fun and that is something that can put their training to use.

“There will be a bit of a strategy involved. You can break up that 42k however you want between you and your teammates. We have visions of some ‘dream teams’ being put together. I hope it is fun and provides social media fodder,” says Gentes.

Canada Running Series President, Alan Brookes, welcomes the Athletics Canada 42.2k Challenge as another opportunity for his 15 strong team of professional event managers to adapt to the changed landscape caused by the pandemic.

“Our mission for 30 years has been building community through running which includes fitness, lifestyle, social runners as one group, charity runners, and also high performance and competitive runners,” Brookes declares with pride. “We need to keep our community whole. I think this collaboration with Athletics Canada is going to provide motivation and incentive and a fun thing too that will keep us going.”

Brookes notes that over the years the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon has provided Olympians such as Lanni Marchant, Krista DuChene, Natasha Wodak, Reid Coolsaet, Eric Gillis, Dylan Wykes and Cam Levins a platform on which to compete against the world’s best on home soil. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of runners have raised more than $42 million for local charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

Gentes views the relay challenge as a successful initiative at a critical point in these challenging times.

“We are not going to replace any of the events that have been cancelled, not even close,” Gentes says. “As Alan knows very well there’s the excitement, the financial revenues, you are not going to achieve that with a virtual race. When I talked with Alan and his crew we wanted just to come up with something that is fun for the athletes to participate in.”

While the Athletics Canada Invitational Relay Challenge will attract some of Canada’s elite distance runners the event is by no mean restricted to elites. Anyone may assemble a team and join the Open four-person marathon relay by registering at STWM.ca, for a cost of CAD$135.

Each participant receives a souvenir t-shirt, a unique medal, discounts from Running Room and more.

Now the quest to form competitive racing relay teams begins in earnest.

https://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/virtual-race/

About the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

One of only 5 World Athletics Gold Label marathons in all of The Americas, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada’s premier, big-city running event, the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships, and the Grand Finale of the 8-race Canada Running Series. In 2019, it attracted 25,000 participants from 70 countries, raised $3.5 million for nearly 200 charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, and contributed an estimated $35 million to the local economy. The livestream broadcast was watched by more than 132,000 viewers from 79 countries. www.STWM.ca

Media Contact:

Alan Brookes
Race Director
Canada Running Series
alan@canadarunningseries.com

Athletics Canada – Media Contact:

Riley Denver
Communications Coordinator
Athletics Canada
905-517-4179
riley.denver@athletics.ca

Jul 13 2020

2020 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Transitions to a Virtual Race

By Damien Hope | Races | 5 Comments

TORONTO – Monday, July 13, 2020 – The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, set to take place on Sunday October 18th has been cancelled. Working closely with the City of Toronto and Mayor John Tory, event organizers Canada Running Series have made the decision to cancel the international event that generates $35 million in economic impact annually, due to COVID-19 related health and safety concerns.

“Sadly, we have reached a point where it is clear we will not be able to bring a mass event of 25,000 people from more than 75 countries, safely to downtown Toronto this October, and have officially canceled the 2020 in-person event,” said Race Director Alan Brookes. “We have shared so many unforgettable moments over 30 years at this race and are enormously disappointed. We greatly appreciate the support and understanding of the community and are pleased to announce that we will be transitioning to a virtual event this year, to continue to offer the best possible running and fundraising goals in these challenging times.”

“Although, this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon will not be taking place in person, I want to thank Canada Running Series for putting the health and safety of spectators, runners and volunteers first by organizing a virtual event,” said Mayor Tory. “The virtual race this year presents a great opportunity to train and stay active throughout the summer and into the fall. I encourage residents to participate this year or to cheer on all the participants who are raising money for over 150 charity organizations in our community through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. I know I speak for Torontonians across this city when I say I look forward to 2021 when we can come together again and celebrate our vibrant city.”

“Every year, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon brings people together from around the world to raise millions of dollars for charity,” said Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario. “While there are a few changes to the run this year that put everyone’s health and safety first, it’s more important than ever to find ways to support those who might be in need during these unprecedented times. I encourage everyone to participate in this community-building event if they can, and support a great cause.”

All currently registered runners have been contacted with information regarding their 2020 registrations. New runners who want to sign-up for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Virtual Race can do so starting today at STWM.ca. The virtual event includes two new distance options: a four-person marathon relay and a 10K as well as the traditional marathon, half marathon and 5K.

The virtual event will be supported by a training program from Running Room and New Balance, who will also be designing official race merchandise. Participants will be invited to stay connected online in a variety of ways including bi-weekly Facebook Live get-togethers, a new running podcast and Spotify playlists to motivate them on training runs.

Unchanged, participants can sign up to fundraise for one of the race’s official charity partners in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. In 2019, participants raised over $3.5 million for 190 community charities. Every Dollar Helps. We encourage those in the position to do so, to support our charitable partners, who need our help now more than ever.

“Since 1990, like running itself, we’ve had good days and bad days” reflected Brookes. “We’ve learned to bear down and overcome injuries, illness, a multitude of setbacks and adversity. And now we have COVID-19″ said Brookes. “But our community is made of sterner stuff: dedicated, determined, courageous and strong. Together, we will prevail and return to the races that are beacons of solidarity and joy in our country and our lives.”

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Virtual Race will take place between October 1st and 31st 2020. Online registration is open now at http://STWM.ca

About the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Media Contact

Jenna Pettinato, Manager of Communications
jenna@canadarunningseries.com

Oct 21 2019

Records Galore at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By Damien Hope | Races | No Comments

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon celebrated its 30th edition with perfect weather conditions and the athletes responded.

Four men ran under Philemon Rono’s Canadian All Comers’ record led by the diminutive Kenyan himself at 2:05:00

Lemi Berhanu of Ethiopia, the 2016 Boston Marathon champion, finished second though he had to be overhauled in the closing stages. His time was 2:05:09. He was followed by Felix Chemonges who broke the Ugandan national record held by Olympic champion Stephen Kiproticih with his 2:05:12. Defending Toronto Waterfront champion followed him in, just a second behind.

While the men’s race was incredible for its quality the women’s race saw no less than nine elite women run behind pacemakers through 30km before Magdalyne Masai-Robertson decided she would test the competition. Surging ahead at around 38 kilometers she set a new course record of 2:22:16 knocking four minutes off her best and also earning the women’s all-comers record by a mere second.

Ethiopia’s Biruktayit Eshetu was second in 2:22:40 with late addition Betsy Saina finishing third in 2:22:43. She had suffered food poisoning before last week’s Chicago Marathon and dropped out at half way. Her agent asked for a place in Toronto on Tuesday. All three women set personal bests. All three were delighted with their results.

“I didn’t realize there was nobody behind me until 40km,” Masai-Robertson said. “Yes, exactly I was running scared. You don’t want to give it all out and then have someone passing you with a couple of hundred meters to go. After 40km I checked behind. I thought ‘I can hold this.’

“I am really happy, just like I said before I had the perfect preparation for a marathon. The conditions were just perfect for a marathon race.”

Trevor Hofbauer The race served as both the Canadian Marathon Trials for the Tokyo 2020 games and Athletics Canada national championships with an unprecedented number of domestic entries chasing the automatic qualifying standards of 2:11:30 for men and 2:29:30 for women.

Brave running by Trevor Hofbauer and Dayna Pidhoresky earned them enormous personal best times – by seven minutes – and Tokyo 2020 standards.

Hofbauer finished 7th overall with 2:09:51 the second fastest time by a Canadian of all time. The normally laid back Calgarian summed up his performance succinctly.

“I never looked at the splits or anything,” he admitted. “I didn’t know what time I was going to run until I came around the corner (to see the finish). Pretty cool experience. Give me a few days and it will sink in.” Trevor wasn’t even wearing a watch that day.

Later he revealed that he had been inspired by Cam Levins’ performance in Toronto last year when he beat Jerome Drayton’s 43 year old Canadian record with his 2:09:25. Training alone for the most part he pledges to continue training in Calgary where he is content.

Pidhoresky went out at an ambitious pace and while her husband/coach Josh Seifarth watched Dayna Pidhoresky nervously at the finish she booked her place on the Tokyo team by winning the Canadian title and beating the standard with her 2:09:03 personal best. That earned her 10th place in the women’s race.

There were other encouraging performances that might go otherwise unnoticed. Emily Setlack set a personal best as second Canadian with a time or 2:29:48. Tristan Woodfine improved his personal best to 2:13:16 while Cam Levins endured a hard day at the office finishing in 2:15:01.

The national master’s record went to two time Olympian Reid Coolsaet as the 40 year old finished in 2:15:23. Ever the optimist he revealed he was close to getting 2:14 but ran his last three kilometers a minute slower than he had been averaging.

All in all, it was a great day for a marathon with two all-comers records smashed and two Canadians have earned their place on the Tokyo 2020 team.

Congratulations to all runners.