That kind of intro usually leads into a list of complaints about the race, but not this time.
The truth is that it was a very well organized race on a picture perfect day.
The Toronto Goodlife Marathon (formerly the Toronto International Marathon) is one of two marathons run in Toronto. They are rival organizations and do try to outdo each other. As a consumer I say good!!
Let's start with the expo. The expo was in a large convention centre. It was roomy and reasonably well organized. Our race packs included our race shirts as well as a vintage shirt from a prior year. I thought that was a nice touch. Early arrivals got a copy of the book "26.2 Marathon Stories" by Katherine Switzer and Roger Robinson. That was a pretty nice freebee to begin with. Actually having Ms Switzer and Mr Robinson on had to sign the books and pose for pictures was a real bonus. They were so nice and personalized their message in my book and really took some time. Of the Canadian marathons i've done, this was the best expo i've seen.
The start at Mel Lastman square was well run. The only problem that i saw was one barrier that had fallen over and we had to dodge it. I hope nobody tripped over it. Accidents happen and so i don't hold that against the race organizers.
The early route was on a closed street that went mainly downhill and through some of Toronto's nice neighbourhoods before heading down the lush Rosedale valley road which was a nice long gradual downhill.
The second part of the race was less nice. First we went through the concrete canyons of the financial district before emerging hear the lake to run along the lakefront. The lakefront run is more scenic of course but this part of the course was on a path in the park and hence was not closed. I heard a few stories about people on bikes or children playing and getting in the way. You would think the guy on the bike might clue in when he sees a bunch of people with bibs running by. You'd think parents wouldn't want their kids to get too close to a herd of people trying to run as fast as they can. The fact that part of the course wasn't closed was unfortunate. Maybe as the marathon has grown in size that is something they can look at for next year.
Several aid stations near the end ran out of cups and were offering runners water from jugs....great if you are carrying bottles but not much if you are not. This wasn't so good but again i hope it's fixed for next year.
Toronto's fall marathon had a disastrous bag check last year and some heads rolled as some runners waited up to 2 hours to get their dry clothes on a very cold day. A lot of people were very upset. It would appear that the rival goodlife decided to have the best bag check ever. I walked over near the bag check and stopped to talk to a friend. I asked her where i go to get my bad and she pointed to her left where a young man had read my bib and had already retrieved it without being asked. That was awesome!!!
Overall i really liked this race despite those few foibles.
I can't give Goodlife top marks when some of the course is not closed. That is important. However i will give them just one notch below top marks.
I've now run all three Toronto area marathons in the past 12 months and i rank them 1) Toronto Goodlife, 2) Mississauga 3) Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon.
None comes close to my favourite race of my 7 and that would be the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach, California. That was the best organized race with the best expo and the best samples....not to mention my best time :-)
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