Here’s a quick public service announcement about the upcoming 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, one of Toronto’s most important annual autumn events.

Drivers should watch for two kinds of signs warning of road closures and parking restrictions: both the old and the new.

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The Classic Black-on-Orange Road Closed Sign in Toronto

Here we have the classic Toronto black-on-orange sign warning that the road will be closed. It’s very good at the bare facts: what street will be closed; from where to where; date and time.

It fails miserably to indicate the reason for the road closure.

Perhaps they want the colour scheme to evoke a Hallowe’en fright.

A New Sign of Hope to Celebrate the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Now let’s check the new sign, which might belong to the organizers of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, rather than to the City of Toronto.

It’s bright, with a cheerful background colour compared to the old sign. It carries almost the same information; my guess is that Queen westbound will be closed to Kingston Road but eastbound only from Woodbine. On the other hand, the URL at the bottom of the sign redirects to the main page of the official Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon web site, rather than to the “road closures” information page.

The best part is that it advertises the reason for the road closure.

Your Opinions for the Road Closure Signs for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Are the new signs an improvement? How could they do better? Their official home page encourages you to “join the conversation” on Facebook.

Other Notes for the 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

I’m really pleased that both signs were posted as early as Oct. 9, when I took these pictures on Queen Street East. In some years, the signs only went up in the final week before the Toronto marathons, so anyone who only visits an area on Sunday would be completely unaware of the road closures.

Attend the Marathon Torch Ceremony for the Waterfront Marathon

Last year, my “Special Notes for the 2012 Toronto Waterfront Marathon” reported on the Marathon Torch ceremony. This year, the Marathon Flame ceremony returns to the Alexander the Greek park on Oct. 17, 2013 at 6:30pm. Join the mayor of Marathon, Greece, Iordanis Louizos, and his torch relay runners at Logan and Danforth.

When is the 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon? What Roads are Closed?

As you noted from the photographs, the 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon will take place on Sunday Oct. 20. Major road closures include parts of Bay St. and University Ave. for the start; part of Bloor St. West and Bathurst; parts of Lake Shore Blvd; Queen’s Quay, Cherry St. and Commissioner’s Road in the Toronto Harbour region; Queen St. East, Eastern Avenue, and the southern end of Bayview; and Front Street. Use the above link to learn more about the Scotiabank Toronto Marathon, especially the details for the route. I didn’t try to name all the road closures; the site has the course map and a detailed list of affected roads.

Where Should I Watch the 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon?

My best advice for spectators is to position yourself at the Queen Street East bridge where King branches away. The runners pass the 35Km marker at Broadview, then burn up another 5Km in a loop along Bayview before they get to Parliament Street. Usually the strain really shows on the runners between the 35 and 39Km locations; after that, they may begin to feel relief at nearing the finish line, at the end of their 42.2Km marathon.

The runners are a bit less tired on Queen St. East between Woodbine and Beech. You can cheer each runner twice, as they run east and then double back westbound.

Check the map for the official neighbourhood cheering stations. You could get involved with them, or volunteer to hand out water. Both are great ways to watch the runners and feel involved.

With the start at 8:45am, the winning male marathon runner should break the tape at Bay and Queen (near City Hall) by 10:55am or so. Last year, Betona Warga won in 2:10, and Mary Davies in just under 2:29. (A 2:06 pace would mean running at 20 kilometres per hour; as fast as the cycling speed limit on the Martin Goodman Trail!).

Or simply check the official map and head for your most convenient location.

Remember that road closures will cause TTC detours and delays as well as blocking cars. Cyclists should avoid the routes too; the organizers try hard to keep the streets clear for the runners.

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

You can find more annual events for your vacation in Toronto Ontario; or for local residents wanting things to do in Toronto this weekend.

Ideas for a Toronto Vacation or Staycation

My blog reports on most of the annual Toronto events that I find interesting, and provides ideas for fascinating, free or frugal things to do in Toronto. I especially like to cover annual attractions and special events in Toronto Canada; but especially for Canadian holidays.

CityPASS offers discount tickets to Toronto attractions, including Metro Toronto Zoo coupons. You buy the voucher online, print it and take it to your first destination; let’s say it’s the zoo. They give you the coupon booklet but remove the Metro Toronto Zoo discount tickets. Visit the next four attractions, where helpful staff relieve your booklet of tickets but leave you with the rest of the information. You save over $40 by spending about $70. The voucher is good for almost two years, but you have to use all the discount admission tickets within nine days. This is terrific for tourists looking for multiple things to do in Toronto, or for a hometown stay-cation: use discount tickets to Casa Loma, the CN Tower, the Metro Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Centre and the Royal Ontario Museum in a nine day adventure. That’s five things to do while vacationing in Toronto Canada, and at a bargain price thanks to the discount coupons.

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 my Fitness and Weight Control blog. That’s why DeHaan Services highlights these online articles on this site.

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Thanks for reading about the change in road signs for the upcoming 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.