Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Event Rating
| Location: | Toronto, Ontario Canada |
Event Description
The flat and fast features of this event (includes the marathon, half and 5k) have consistently been the reason for so many people reaching a personal best, qualifying for Boston, having a memorable but good first marathon or an outstanding one. Even power walkers or slower runners love this course because of its 6 hour time limit.
There are bands and Neighbourhood Entertainment Centres every 2 kilometres, cheerleaders, and numerous aid stations. Overall, there's a great, festive atmosphere.
2012 - 87% Banana Rated
2011 - 83% Banana Rated
Race Options
| Dis. | Date | Start Time | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Running
|
5K | Oct 20, 2013 | 8:00 am |
Ontario Place
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 3B3, Canada
View on Map
|
|
Running
|
Marathon | Oct 20, 2013 | 8:30 am |
University Avenue & Armoury Street
Toronto, Ontario
M6K 3C3, Canada
View on Map
|
|
Running
|
Half Marathon | Oct 20, 2013 | 8:30 am |
University Avenue & Armoury Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 3B3, Canada
View on Map
|
 |
Adventure |  |
Cycling |  |
Duathlon |
 |
Expo/Seminar |  |
Mountain Bike |  |
Trail Running |
 |
Running |  |
Relay |  |
Triathlon |
Peter Donato
The size and scope of this event makes for a high-energy morning for all runners and walkers, and the scenery along the waterfront makes the pain of running a full marathon somehow a little easier.
Alfie Shrubb
I really like the fact I can run for one of over 120 charities….
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
David Hiddleston
Toronto No 1 running event in my opinion. Have run the half and the full. Incredibly well organized. Marathon has a great route and fantastic finishing area. Hope this event continues to grow and grow and raise even more money for all the charities it supports.
Graham ross
Toronto’s biggest and best organized marathon for sure, i had a great time doing the 5k! they have a race for everyone, great expirience
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
David Reyes
One of the Best races in all of North America. This race is well organized. The track is flat and fast. I did my first Marathon at Scotia Bank and it gave me the opportunity to comfort and assist a tired walker to complete the race. I have never set my face on that person again, but it was well worth it. I only pass this way just once so if I can be a help to someone but once,so be it for I may never pass this way again.Best of luck and wishes to all at this year’s race.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Sandy stewart
Lots of running friends count this as one of their favorite events. May have to try it myself.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Stuart Solway
Flat, fast and familiar. Have run both the full and the half and really like all the recent changes; especially the removal of the Leslie Spit portion and the new finish, where you aim for Old City Hall and let loose all you’ve got left.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Monique Murphy
2010 – STWM: A very well organized and run event. The only issue being being able to get around (especially south) after the event.
Great food after the runs. Nice medals.
This is my 4th in a row.
Monique
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Ronald Irwin
Thanks to my STWM BQ I celebrated my 50th birthday in Boston this year! Nothing but good to say about this race. It truly is a World class event that I am sure will grow to be Canada’s premier Marathon. I consider myself to be a Trail Runner but I opted to run STWM instead of the last OUS Vulture Bait Race this year… one can only spend so much time in the Forest alone! The course is truly flat , festive and fast … not quite up to Boston when it comes to crowds but they are there when you need them most! This year I expect that I will knock 4-5 minutes off last year’s time with the goal of getting back to Boston in 2013.
Last year’s race report … http://westgreyrunner.blogspot.com/2010/09/stwm-sept-262010.html
Ron.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
James Campbell
I ran in 2005. Very well organized. Fast, flat, scenic course. I’m looking forward to the new course, 2005 we went all the waaaay out the Spit and back. Neighbourhood cheer areas are great. Looking forward to getting past by Ed Whitlock yet again.
good job Toronto
james
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Chris Boswell
The worst organized run I’ve ever been involved with.I completed the half marathon.
I’ve previously completed 4 marathons & 9 half marathons and never encountered such poor organization. A 10 year old could have done a better job!
The fiasco involved with picking up ones bag at end of race was pathetic and there is no reason for such poor planning.It was taking people in excess of 1 hour to get their bags.This is not only irritating but unhealthy.I witnessed an older gentleman go very white and then almost pass out while waiting for 30 minutes, & only moving 5 metres.
I gave up after 40 minutes and hardly moving.Luckily, I was able to take the subway with 2 friends of mine from Ottawa to my mother’s house where we showered & had lunch.I then drove back downtown to get my bag.I will now courier my friends clothes to them in Ottawa.
I will never enter this race again, and neither will my friends from Ottawa.
Jefferson the Dog
Woof Woof! Yes it is Jefferson the Dog posting a review on the STWM. This is the second time I have run this race. I ran it last year when I completed the marathon and actually broke a world record! This year I again broke a record – the Half Marathon World Record for Mascots!
I actually had a different person in me this year but the less said about that the better because I think the previous person is jealous!
Anyway to the race – as with last year an incredibly well organized race and the buzz and the support from the ‘fellow’ runners and the spectators was amazing. I quickly got presented with my medal after the race (although one over zealous volunteer then took it off me because I never had the correct bib on – I barked at her!) and the water and food was then readily available but I couldn’t see any dog food which was a bit upsetting.
Toronto should be very proud of this race.
PS. Thankfully dog don’t wear any clothes so I didn’t have to go and reclaim my baggage!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Andrew Lahay
Awesome! My first Half Marathon experience and it was a great, well organized event. I had a great time, everyone was pumped and upbeat, until halfway through the race lol. The only complaint that I have is the race kit pick up. It was kind of a pain for the out-of-towners to pick up the kit and the STWM website said free parking, there was cheap ($5.00 for race kit pick up), but it was not free. It would be great if race kits could be picked up at certain running store locations.
Other than that, I really enjoyed it an WILL return for either the full or half marathon.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Maureen Buckley
This was my first half marathon and baggage claim fiasco aside I thought it was an awesome event. The course is great, the crowds were supportive and the volunteers really were the best. Now if mother nature had just co-operated I may have run that sub 2:00 I was after!
Would definitely recommend this race to a friend and will probably be back next year but will have to think twice before I check my bag again.
Congrats to Jefferson on another record run!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Jim Telie
I watched this race from the sidelines for the first time, it was incredible to see the Elite athletes whizz by, followed by so many varied and different runners especially charity types. It inspired me to consider trying this myself, going from jogger to runner one day. Thanks to the City of Toronto for allowing the roads to close as these events are much needed.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
dilia medeiros
I run the race on October 16th and it was a lot of fun – I like the fact that it was flat – I was confused at one point when all I saw around me were people who were doing the half marathon and thought I was in the wrong group. I traveled from Rhode Island to do the race – two of my friends also traveled to Toronto for the race and they enjoyed the race.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Cathy A
It was my third year at the beaches water station so my technique of handing off water to moving runners continues to improve. I brought my scotia bank cow bell . Met some other adults who did most of the tear down.Girls from a local figure skating team volunteered too.
Great organization although we missed the local Starbucks donating coffee this year!
THe noise as Reid passed back westbound in first place, was deafening.
It is always exciting to see these incredible runners pass through my neighbourhood.
Lots of road closure signs throughout the east end adn no complaints heard.
One big problem was lack of porta potties for the runners.Some had to go into the starbucks.
How about reversing the direction next year so we get to see the halfers as well!!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Ben de Groot
I ran the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon for first time this year and despite a great race, the experience as a whole was a complete disaster.
Below is my experience of the race.
Pre-race:
-Registration was simple and straightforward.
-Race kit pick-up was smooth and the shuttle made it easy to get to the exhibition.
-The expo had a lot of vendors, but was expecting prices to be a little better. (Not a big deal though)
Race itself:
-Lots of porta-potties pre race
-Bag drop off was easy enough (more on this later)
-Corrals were well organized and respected by runners
-The course itself is very fast and flat. (This is the best part of the race). The only down side with the course is that there is a lot of turning early on when the crowds are thick and of course everyone wants the inside. But that isn’t really a big deal.
-Water stations were great with a good number of stations and volunteers
-Cheering stations were great.
Post race:
-The medals were nice.
-The medical people there were fantastic. I thought I was about to throw up after the race and a volunteer stayed with me until that feeling passed.
-Food seemed OK but I was in no state to eat anything after running such a tough pace for me.
-The bag check was a complete disaster though and ruined the whole day for me. Without getting into too much detail it took over 2 hours to get my bag which is completely unacceptable. It wasn’t just the inconvenience but the fact that this was a major safety risk. I had just ran a very tough race (for me) and beat my PB by 8 minutes, and my body was quickly shutting down. I thought I was going to pass out in the line or throw-up. In addition it was quite a cold day and I was only wearing shorts and a tee-shirt that were very damp at that point. Luckily my wife found me in line and waited to get my bag for me. If I had to wait to get my bag myself I think I would have passed out and required medical attention.
I want to rate this event higher but because of the bag check the best race of my life was turned into one of the worst days of my life. I’m sure they will fix this in the future, but I don’t think I would return until I know for sure they can handle 20,000 plus runners.
Laura G
I had an awesome time at this race. It was my first full marathon so I liked that it was nice and flat. I was running with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training so it was great that we had lots of people cheering us on when they saw our purple jerseys. I’ll be back next year for sure!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Margot
My first marathon! I thought it was well organized (I didn’t check a bag) and the crowds were great. Really good water/aid stations and cheering stages. This race has a great atmosphere.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
patrick voo
an exciting race to be a part of! the on-course entertainment and encouragement did not disappoint, and the volunteers were first class. i enjoyed the expo as well (staying longer than i had originally intended), and did not have to use the bag check which apparently saved me some headache this year.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Emma
This race is where I got my most recent best time for 5k, even though I never thought it would happen! I had a great time, and I did NOT check a bag, which turned out to be a wise decision on my part. The course was fast and flat, and the corrals were well-organized. Even though I was about to die on the line, I still had a great day, and I loved the medals and space blanket! I could see this becoming the featured marathon in Canada. Hoping to do the half this year!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Monica Black
Fantastic event. In my opinion, best in the country.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Krista Rogers
It was an amazing experience and I would recommend this race to anyone who loves to run!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
ramon
Great experience. Very festive and well organized except the baggage claim area. That was a bit chaotic. Otherwise its all good.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Laura Lipcsei
Let me start by saying I ran this course (the half marathon course) maybe 5 years ago.. Back then, the course was incredibly boring! It started in the city but most of the course was on the Gardiner Expressway! SO BORING!!!!! and there were NO spectators – they weren’t allowed on the highway! I hear the full marathon is a little more interesting.. but never again will I do the half!!!!!! Sorry.. don’t do it!
It had decent “after party” of sorts.. so not all bad.
Monique
I’ve done the 5km for this event 5 years now. Great race event. This past year they even had online access to all the finishing times available almost immediately. The only problem they have is baggage check nightmare! It still needs refining BIG TIME!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Andrew Chak
Very well organized race. Crowded start and it was hard to get into the proper corral. Great crowd support within the designated cheering areas – loved the way that some streets were decorated. Very nice flat course but crowd support was light in some areas. Thoroughly enjoyed the finish chute as it was packed with people in stands to cheer us on. Only area of problem was in getting our bag check at the end – took much longer than it should have!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Dan Way
My first marathon. Generally a good experience. Enjoyed the expo/ kit pick-up (easy process and lots of free stuff). Getting to the start is easy (right downtown). Corral system was difficult to navigate (I need to be near the front but was forced to go all the way around and ended up just jumping over some barricades). Course itself is quite good and enjoyable. Didn’t like the headwind on the last 8k but not anyone’s fault! Plenty of fan support on route but could be better at the end. Didn;t use it, but heard baggage check was a nightmare. Wasn’t in any condition to eat so won’t comment on the post-race food. Was really happy to see the elite Canadian guys go for the standard. Not happy that money is being spent on Africans to win the event or pace it. Not happy about the hype around the old guy (not Ed Whitlock, that guys’ a champ…the 100yr old Brit. Gimmicks are weak). Same goes for the costume and Guinness World record business. All in all, organization is good and I would consider doing it again, but please Mr Brookes, stop profiting off of us and focus on the participants!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Andrew from Etobicoke
I ran the 5K in 2011. There were a couple of things that annoyed me. First, despite registering EARLY, when I went to pick up my kit first thing the second day they allowed runners to do so, they didn’t have my shirt size. Why ask me what size I want when I register? Second, the 5K has a U-turn on Lakeshore less than 1 kilometre into the race. The runners have not spread out so it’s an unseemly mess at that point switching from west to east.
I would suggest running something other than the 5K if you wanted to run in this event.
JJ!
Bag pickup! Ugh! They have promised to address!
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Happy Runner
I have done this race a few times over the many years since 2004, when it was very small. I have appreciated how the event has managed to grow and get better (for the most part), combining elite runners, charities and masses looking for a great experience (me). I think that big cities like Toronto need ONE big marathon that the media supports, the city embraces and the spectators enjoy closing roads for. Scotia Waterfront seems to get better each year, despite some hiccups like the bag check in 2011. Having run New York, Boston and other big city races I think Toronto now has the race it needs as long as the city residents can give up a few roads being closed for one morning!
Expo – excellent. Race Day organization – excellent. Course…spectators…water stations..entertainment – excellent. Post race atmosphere could be improved so hopefully they can find a great venue and stick with it.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
J - runner
ScotiaBank Toronto Marathon which is one of the biggest city Marathon in Canada. This was my first race in my life and it was worth first race for me. I ran 5K. Unfortunately it was a rainning start and so cold … but it came to light that it was GREAT run. Good staff, organize, food, nice viewing!!! I didn’t expect that running in city was so pleasant. Next I’ll be back here with good enough training.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Euclid Express
I ran my first 5km today in an organized race. I had a great time today, the event was very well organized and despite the rain me and my team of charity runners had a lot of fun. The best part was the spectators and volunteers cheering us on. It was cool to be in the center of the city finishing, and I would run again next year.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Colleen
This was my first half marathon, and I was very impressed with how organized this event was! The crowd made my day, breathing life into me when I needed it most, and I love my medal, it’s the nicest I’ve earned so far, and hopefully just the first. I’m so inspired by all the runners in the 42.2 that I hope to be there myself next year! The only criticisms I have are that it took to long to get out of the glut at the finish line, and that the TTC should really have had the subway lines working early for this event, there were thousands of people there that had no other way to get to the starting line… isn’t this exactly what public transit is for? Alas, I digress… fabulous race!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
DGiliauskas
My first half-marathon on pavement (I’m a hard-core trail runner.) I had a great time. Lovely to have wet doggy kisses when I finished too – thanks Jefferson! I didn’t use the baggage check because I heard that in 2011 it was a disaster. However, it looked well-organized and seemed to operate smoothly this year. Loved being showered with bananas, apples, cookies, bagels and recovery drink afterwards.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Sheila
This was my first Half Marathon. Race day was great! From the baggage check, to the corals , the pace bunnies, the route was organized and safe. I took the GO bus in and back and that worked fantastically. My biggest criticism is the kit pick up. I was shocked that I had to go to the Run Expo! Talk about being black mailed into going. My suggestion is to allow runners who register early enough to pick up kits at participating Scotia banks. Hey they sponsor it right?
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Frank
Great event. Love the new route. Well-organized.
Suggestions: Get the TTC running! Go back to a later start for the 5K.
Traffic was worse than ever. After taking 45 minutes waiting to get off the Spadina ramp from the west (no surprise there), I was directed by an officer along with many others, along Lakeshore East (not Spadina North) which forced us back on to the Gardiner. I finally exited the highway system at DVP and Bloor, made my way towards City Hall, parked, ran 2k, and barely made the start of my marathon.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Elle G
This was my second Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront event and I loved the new route up to Bloor! I remember the cheering crowds being a little better last year but they weren’t too bad in spite of the rainy weather. I think the finish chute was too narrow and it bottle necked right when I wanted to keep my legs moving, and I didn’t like how waiting friends and family crowded the exit so we had to push through them too. My friend also pointed out that there weren’t any photographers afterwards to take pics of us with our medals – were they there? Maybe we got too distracted by the food and missed them
Over all it was a great race, I just wish there was more breathing room in the finish chute.
I’ll definitely be back next year!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Firsttimehalf
I ran my first 1/2 marathon this weekend, and I was pretty happy.
The course was great, even though the slight uphills after the 18.5 k were pretty tough for my first race. It was raining but if anything that helped. Who can complain about 18 degrees and overcast. I would love to see:
1) Better Fencing… it shouldn’t be a 20 minute walk to get around a fence at the start
2) Washrooms during the run… everything had a decent line and were no good to some one actually running.
3) Marshaling spectators at the finish. The back up getting food and medals was caused by the bottleneck of spectators in the finish area blocking the exit, not by runners. This was very annoying.
All in all though I had a lot of fun and will be back next year. Maybe I will try running the full.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
ToRoadRunner
This was my first Toronto Waterfront Marathon. It was an amazing experience; everything from the water stations, cheer groups and volunteers were fantastic. They were a little cheap on the goody bags though
. Checking my bag last year when I ran the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon was a horrible experience; I finished my Half Marathon in less than 2 hours and had to stay in the line for 2 hours to get my bag. I learned my lesson and did not check any bags this year; great idea. Overall, I enjoyed the whole experience and already thinking of running Toronto Waterfront Marathon next year. Well done to the organizers.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Liz
Great job organizing the marathon!:)
I thought everything was pretty awesome from great cheering stations, awesome water stations, medical people were wonderful, to super job well done by baggage checks volunteers:) thanks for an awesome race:)
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
j
Great route to run, with spectators on route-yeh! Baggage check a breeze, finish area also great.Only negative-hard if not impossible to find pace bunnies, and the wet pre-race weather-nothing we could have done about that.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Tristan
Great course! Bag check and kit pickup a breeze with no waiting. The start corrals were very disorganized though.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
K
Likes:
- lots of port-o-potties at start, lines were short
- course was wide, allowed lots of room to run
- nice medal
- bag to carry food at finish was nice touch (a tad wasteful though)
Dislikes
- street closure a pain, can’t get home if you live downtown and your legs are dead
- parts of course seemed tilty / banked, had to run the streetcar tracks / switch sides of the road several times
- first three water stations had long lines at the port-o-potties…but see this every year
- very slow to get to food (15 min for me). Spectators were crowding the exit so runners could not get out.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Gyongyvirag
Best Scotia Toronto Maraton as yet. I loved the whole thing from packet pick-up to the very last minute of it. Loved it! Loved it!!!!
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Jessica
Well organized event. Great energy from the crowd throughout the whole race! My friends and I travelled from Calgary and we all qualified for Boston again, whoo hoo. I would like to see more cowboy hats next time.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
MCBurlington
It was my second half marathon.
Likes:
- Well organized, good support from fans and volunteers, good route, lots of water and gatorade stations, all around had a great time, even considering the wet weather.
Dislikes:
- Paying $14 for parking at the Direct Energy Centre to pick up my race kit.
I would do this race again.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
CrisAlex
Great fun and much better organized than last year’s half! I especially enjoyed the Bloor Street portion and the organization for the food. It was nice to see many spectators cheering along most of the route. There were three major drawbacks though: The pace bunnies were VERY hard to spot, the kilometre markers seemed sporadic, and the exit area was very narrow and crowded with friends and families of the runners. Despite these two things, I’m still planning on running the half again next year.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
VHS
This is the 2nd year I have competed on this course and was really pleased with the changes that were made. The course was better, there was still quality food and drink and volunteers. If you are in Toronto in October do this race and it is something you will not regret. Quality
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
nikki1020
Very well organized for its size.
No race kit pick up the morning of the race. With that said I had to pay for parking to pick up my kit and on race day.
Nice course.
Nice medal.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Melanie
My friend and I did the 1/2 marathon, had an amazing time and took 15 minutes off our last 1/2 marathon time. My only complaint was leaving the event where family and friends were blocking the runners from exiting.
Yes, I would recommend this race to a friend.
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
mansour fadel
great event it was my first time and i will do it every year
Yes, I would consider attending this race/event next year.
Dawn
I’m a bit biased here because I got a massive PR, but it’s a great course for posting a fast time. I thought the race was very well organzied and the atmosphere was surprisingly festive. The crowd support was more plentiful than I anticipated and, as soon as the gun went off, the weather was perfect for racing. One of the gravy points for me was getting to see the elites a few times throughout the course. They’re so motivating.
I really liked the shirt I received at this race and my medal is beautiful. It will always have a hallowed place in my closet.
Thanks to the all the hard-working organizers and volunteers. I’ll be back!