Toronto Events

After the 2019 Toronto Challenge 5Km Charity Run

After missing out on the annual Toronto Challenge 5Km charity run for a few years, it was a pleasure for me to get back on the saddle.

Mike at the 2019 Toronto Challenge at Nathan Phillips Square
Mike at the 2019 Toronto Challenge at Nathan Phillips Square

This was the first time I went to City Hall for the Toronto Challenge; it used to be held at Metro Hall, a bit to the south-west. This location has great access by TTC; the 501 Queen streetcar route is right there.

I took my photos outside City Hall, in Nathan Phillips Square. The first shows the main stage in the background.

I had pre-registered online; Running Room handles those details. The link was through the Toronto Challenge web page, so that was pretty easy to find.

City Hall hosted the race kit pick-up, baggage check, washrooms, last-minute registration, and donation drop-off.  Outside, in Nathan Phillips Square, we heard announcements and warmed up before the race. Oh yes, afterwards, we picked up snacks after crossing the very visible finish line.

The actual 5Km run started on University Avenue, went up and around Queen’s Park Crescent, down University to Adelaide, and back up University. The finish line was in the north-west part of Nathan Phillips Square.

I’m still getting back into running after some time off with minor injuries, and a lot of ice on the sidewalks last winter. I was happy with what I could do, and look forward to further improvements.

The Toronto Challenge is an annual Toronto event in the spring. People raise funds for their favourite assisted-living facility in Toronto. Long-term care homes are well represented, especially in the 5Km walk and 1Km walk. I really admire the people who struggle through those events despite age or physical challenges; by comparison, most of us runners are just having fun.

There’s the finish line! You’d think I’d be smiling since I took the photo before the race began. Maybe I was just too serious about it!

Mike at the finish line of the 2019 Toronto Challenge at Nathan Phillips Square
Mike at the finish line of the 2019 Toronto Challenge at Nathan Phillips Square

 

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My blog has tracked many of the annual Toronto events that I find interesting, free, or worthwhile. Click on one of the categories or tags to find more.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. However, DeHaan Services does write web site or advertising copy for clients.

Thanks for reading about the 2019 Toronto Challenge 5Km Charity Run.

Annual Events, Toronto Events

About the 2019 Beaches Arts & Crafts Show in Toronto

The annual Beaches Arts & Crafts Show brings over 150 artisans and designers to Kew Gardens in Toronto’s Beach neighbourhood for the weekend of June 8 and 9, 2019; from 10am to 6pm both Saturday and Sunday. If you’re looking for – or just enjoy looking at – Canadian jewelry, art, and handcrafts: this is the date and place!

"Old House in Kew Gardens in Toronto" by John Vetterli under "attribution and share-alike license"
“Old House in Kew Gardens in Toronto” by John Vetterli under “attribution and share-alike license”

 

Enter freely and admire the artwork on display. Chat with the artists themselves. Be prepared to take home some fabulous items!

If finding jewelry for yourself, or hand-made crafts as gifts, isn’t enough of an incentive: the Beaches Arts and Crafts Festival supports Neighbourhood Link Support Services. They provide services for children, seniors, newcomers, and others seeking help with employment or housing.

Get there by transit: the 501 Queen streetcar rumbles right past Kew Gardens. Or bike along the Martin Goodman Trail: north of the bike path, the tennis court and lawn bowling green bracket Kew Beach Park. (Both are a bit east of the can’t-miss-it elevated Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pool).

Looking for More Annual Events or a Holiday in Toronto Canada?

My blog has tracked many of the annual Toronto events that I find interesting, free or frugal. Click on one of the categories or tags to find more.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. However, DeHaan Services does write web site or advertising copy for clients.

Thanks for reading about the 2019 Beaches Arts and Crafts Festival.

Fitness, Toronto Events

Congratulations on the 2018 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Results

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon continued to prove its worth to Toronto and Canada, with new Canadian records.

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, a Landmark Toronto Event

Notable October 2018 results from this annual Toronto event included:

  • Cam Levins broke the 43-year-old standard for Canadian men’s marathon, set by Jerome Drayton, by 44 seconds.
  • Mimi Belete, from Bahrain, and Marta Megra, from Ethiopia, both broke the previous course standard for women. Belete set the new standard at 2:22:29.
  • Benson Kipruto fell short of a new course record, but won the men’s event in 2:07:24. That’s a whisker slower than 3 minutes per kilometre, or 20Km/hour.

Levins had had considerable success in the 5,000m and 10,000m track events; but this marathon result is a new high note. Born in BC, he now lives and trains in Portland, Oregon.

In previous years, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) hosted new “best in the world” results by men in specific age groups: notably the late, great Ed Whitlock of Milton, Ontario; and Britain’s Fauja Singh. In 2014, Canadian Eric Gillis set a personal best when he fell short of beating Drayton’s old standard. Back in 2011, Gillis and Reid Coolsaet clinched their marathon spots for the 2012 London Olympics.

STWM was the first event in 40 years to host the best men’s marathon time on Canadian soil since the 1968 Montreal Olympics. This year, STWM continued building its legacy of enabling new, higher standards in Canadian marathon achievements. This annual autumn Toronto event includes world-class athletes from around the world and thousands of recreational runners at the 5Km, half-marathon, and full marathon (42.2Km) distances.

One source for this article is Morgan Campbell’s article in the Toronto Star. “Detour to glory for Levins” led the Sports section on Oct. 22, 2018. I also referenced Canada Running’s online results page, and some of my previous articles as linked above.

A Sign of the Times for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

I continue to applaud STWM in continuing to post this style of sign, which I first noticed in 2013. It’s bright, cheerful, and inviting.

"2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Sign" image by Mike DeHaan
“2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Sign” image by Mike DeHaan

It’s a lot nicer than the black-on-orange “road closed” warning signs that the city posts as a default. Those Hallowe’en colours only offer tricks, not treats, and serve only to steer cars away. STWM, and all other road races, are free-to-see events in Toronto. Spectators are welcomed, and encouraged to cheer.

If you didn’t know, STWM athletes raise significant funds for a variety of charities.

Looking for More Annual Events in Toronto Canada?

I often track annual Toronto events that I find interesting, free or frugal.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. However, DeHaan Services does write web site or advertising copy for clients. Our skills are demonstrated in online articles in Decoded Science, Decoded Pregnancy and other online sites.

Click the “Toronto Events” or “Fitness” categories at the bottom of the right-hand column for related articles. Thanks!

Thanks for reading about some 2018 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon results.

Writing for Clients; Annual Events in Toronto and the GTA