Contributor: Dave Daze
Synopsis: Got off to a rough start with a 4:30am hotel fire alarm. Elite’s evacuate the building just like the rest of us haha. The weather was perfect for this year’s edition….coolish and overcast, and pretty much stayed that way.
Event Name: Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date: October 15, 2023
Briefly describe the overall venue & course:
Love having the start and finish lines so close together. Makes it very easy for anyone staying in the downtown core. There’s a long out n’ back from about kms 5-20, along Lakeshore Blvd, which is nice for really getting into a running rhythm. The last 500m is an uphill climb on Bay St. to City Hall. Not a fan of that: haha.
My Race Experience:
I had had a disastrous Ottawa Marathon in May, and was seeking a measure of redemption in Toronto. Although I had run 34 marathons I was unusually nervous going in, as I was worried my stomach issues might appear again. Did not sleep much the night before (also 4:30am fire alarm!)
They start the 1/2 and full marathon at the same time, (complete opposite of Ottawa Marathon), so the first half of the race can be crowded. I didn’t mind cuz’ the crowded course really forced me to start slowly, which I reminded myself to do, over and over again.
I was being very consistent with my splits. I hit the 10km mark in 1:02 and the half way point in 2:11, so everything was going smoothly for a sub 4:25 finish (whisper goal was 4:20), and I was feeling good.
I locked in the 4:20 bunny at the half-way mark and was able to stay within a short distance to him, all the way up to 35km. The race was certainly starting to feel like work now, but I maintained pace and at 35km I was still on pace for a 4:26 marathon finish.
However, I’ve run enough marathons to know that there’s always the potential for tough roads ahead. I got smacked hard by the wall at 35km on in, and started to bleed time. The last 7km turned into a run/walk death march to the finish. I kept trying to dig in, trying to push, but my legs wouldn’t answer. I ended up finishing in 4:34:22, with a huge smile on my face. Any marathon finish is a time to celebrate. I know the marathon is a beast but I persevered and felt like I had gained a measure of redemption over the Ottawa Marathon.
How was the weather? Excellent! Cool and overcast. A bit of a wind, but overall very good running weather.
Would you do this event again? Why? This was my 4th time at Toronto Waterfront. I’ll definitely go back some day, mainly because the race logistics are so good, and there’s a really good vibe around this race….25,000 runners in total!
Would you recommend this event? Why? If you like running in the big city, this is a race to do. It’s well organized and well run…and the medal was cool too.
Closing thoughts. Any hints for others planning to do this race? Where to stay? Things to bring? What to wear? I stayed at the race hotel, the downtown Sheraton. Right across the street from the finish line. A city block to the start line. Can’t beat that! Close to restaurants and shopping too. Walking distance to/from the train station.
Can be quite cool in the morning, and it definitely was this year. Glad I brought a throwaway long sleeve for waiting in the corral. Probably could have used gloves too.
Overall Venue Rating: :
3 – Good
Please rate the course:
3 – Good
Please rate the aid stations:
4 – Great
What was provided at the aid stations?:
Water/Nuun gels at 12km and 22km
Run K2J 