Toronto the crabby
I heard people were getting out of cars and actually booing participants of the Toronto marathon this past weekend.
Then, I read in the newspaper this morning that the City of Toronto is asking the organizers of the two marathons that are held within weeks of each other (one sponsored by Scotiabank and one by Goodlife) to decide which one would be prepared to change its date to the spring.
Last year when I walked the Flying Pig in Cincinnati, entire neighbourhood streets would shut down and set up party tents to cheer on participants. Cars would drive by and the people inside would honk to cheer us on. There was no booing on this course.
Come on Toronto, surely we can figure out how to be home to two marathons that raise so much money for local charities, support local businesses, and help people set and achieve outstanding fitness challenges. It’s win-win-win as far as I can see.
So, here is a scene I wish for the citizens of Toronto. Cars are being stopped by a police officer who is letting the very last participant through an intersection on University Avenue. It’s a cold and blustery day for the Toronto Marathon as a guy barely shuffles up Avenue Road. He is wringing out anything that’s left of him to make it to the finish line 2 kilometers away. People in the cars stopped at the intersection are clearly frustrated at the delay. Suddenly from one of the cars, a person jumps out and cheers on the lonely runner – or walker! He cheers as loudly as possible while his friend in the passenger seat starts honking the horn in encouragement. Before the marathoner has made it to the other side of the intersection, people in cars from all four sides of the intersection are cheering wildly for him - the last participant coming through the race course. It’s a story the guy will tell for years. A story about the encouragement he got from complete strangers in Toronto.
Love to hear your thoughts on Toronto’s reaction to the two marathons closing down streets within the space of a few weeks.
Labels: Thoughts on racing
posted by Wow Power Walking Founder @ 8:34 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Alot of education is needed in this area too. On CFRB yesterday they were interviewing a city councellor and he kept saying 'marathons' can be held anywhere and any time in the city. Then he aluded to the 'Zoo' Run just held. He kept using the word 'marathon' in place of 'race'. There are alot of people who still do not realize a marathon is 26.2 miles! and that they cant just be held anytime or anywhere. He also stupidly mentioned NY has one big one/Chicago/Boston. Well, he did not do his research, because as we all know these cities are continuously holding events, especially NY.
Yes, the residents need to embrace all that the event does for the community and participants and if they cant join in the event in any way, they can surely plan their day to 'not' get caught in the 'traffic'. My husband ran the Goodlife when it was the only full in Toronto and it was called the WANG marathon and finished at old Varsity Stadium. It was never really popular because of the route around Rosedale Valley and another section (name escapes me).
A bit of back history on both:
What is now Goodlife marathon has existed in one form or another for a couple of decades (previously Wang marathon, Shoppers Drug Mart marathon) and used to have a May date. Mid-90s when Shoppers pulled their sponsorship, it closed up shop but re-appeared as Canadian International Marathon, a fall date and less interest in elite level competition.
Waterfront marathon used to be just a half-marathon to wrap up the Coors Light Runner's Choice race series (then Great Canadian Bagel, and now Canada Running Series).
The half was truly a top level event with many Olympic medalists competing over the years. Race director Alan Brookes always has bigger dreams and decided to go head-to-head with CIM and added a marathon to his event. (Now both include a 5km, half and full marathons.)
Brookes has pushed more and more each year to make his event bigger, better and more elite. With more money has come faster runners and this year saw the fastest marathon ever run on Canadian soil.
Theoretically one would think there isn't room on the Toronto race calendar for two marathons, but so far each has managed to draw thousands of participants, indicating that the demand is there. (It's worth noting though that a large percentage take part in the 5km or half-marathon events even though the full is the one with the attention and publicity.)
Presumably if one or the other falters and starts taking a financial or numbers hit, it will succumb or move to a spring date (in fact mayor Miller has recently suggested this with Brookes being adamant he wasn't moving his date).BUT then Mississauga may take a hit because it is in MAY.
At the moment the momentum is with Waterfront but Goodlife still has a huge number of participants.
Also, maybe the route could be point-to-point and end at the EX grounds where train/streetcars and lots of parking are.
Note of all grumpy drivers: Toronto Santa Clause parade is Sunday November 15th!! check the map.
Hear! Hear!
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