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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.

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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.

The Eastern Section of the Martin Goodman Trail in Toronto

The eastern section of the Martin Goodman Trail in Toronto offers free running and biking fitness opportunities, along with a scenic view of Lake Ontario. Several other facilities are nestled near this biking trail. Join me on a quick tour on a Monday morning in the summer.

"A 2.5Km Section of Martin Goodman Trail in Toronto" image (c) by Mike DeHaan via gmap-pedometer
“A 2.5Km Section of Martin Goodman Trail in Toronto” image (c) by Mike DeHaan via gmap-pedometer

Finding the Eastern End of the Martin Goodman Trail

The Martin Goodman Trail’s eastern tip is at the south end of Fernwood Park Avenue in the eastern Beach neighbourhood of Toronto, off of Fir Avenue, and south of Queen Street East.

"Fernwood and Fir in the Beach neighbourhood in Toronto" image (c) by Mike DeHaan
“Fernwood and Fir in the Beach neighbourhood in Toronto” image (c) by Mike DeHaan

The Balmy Beach Club is just east of Fir and Fernwood, and south of Queen St. East, past the curve in the road shown in the above image.

Let’s turn right, instead, to join the Martin Goodman Trail at the south end of Fernwood.

"Looking south-east onto the Martin Goodman Trail from Fernwood" image (c) by Mike DeHaan
“Looking south-east onto the Martin Goodman Trail from Fernwood” image (c) by Mike DeHaan

Heading West along the Martin Goodman Trail in Toronto

Heading west along the Martin Goodman Trail from Fernwoood, we immediately see the boardwalk between the trail and Lake Ontario. While runners may use either the trail or the boardwalk, cyclists should stay on the paved trail.

If you turn left (east), you’d find the Balmy Beach Club’s south entrance on the Boardwalk. In the summer, some beach volleyball nets get a workout there. But that’s behind us as we travel west.

"Leuty Lifeguard Station and the Boardwalk in Toronto" image (c) by Mike DeHaan
“Leuty Lifeguard Station and the Boardwalk in Toronto” image (c) by Mike DeHaan

The above picture shows the Leuty Lifeguard Station on the beach, as well as a lifeguard’s chair. The flags indicate water quality and whether a lifeguard is on duty.

The boardwalk has benches, obviously, but let’s keep going on our fitness trek.

In fact, this section of the trail has about half a dozen fitness stations. Look for wooden beams where you can do pull-ups, inclined sit-ups, and other exercises. Sorry that I didn’t take photos!

"The Kew Beach Lawn Bowling Club in Toronto near the Martin Goodman Trail" image (c) by Mike DeHaan
“The Kew Beach Lawn Bowling Club in Toronto near the Martin Goodman Trail” image (c) by Mike DeHaan

Beyond that fence, the light green grass is part of the Kew Beach Lawn Bowling Club, just north of the Martin Goodman Trail. A couple decades ago, when I was a participant, the sport of fencing was the second-safest in Canada. The safest? Lawn bowling.

I didn’t take a picture, but Kew Gardens also hosts a small ice hockey rink (just west of the lawn bowling club).

"Tennis Courts at Kew Beach in Toronto north of the Martin Goodman Trail" image (c) by Mike DeHaan
“Tennis Courts at Kew Beach in Toronto north of the Martin Goodman Trail” image (c) by Mike DeHaan

Next we find the tennis courts, again north of the trail.

Note that there are any number of micro-trails that join the streets of the Beach neighbourhood to the Martin Goodman Trail. This photo also shows one of the decorative boulders (on the far right) and a functional garbage container. Earlier in my run I passed a garbage truck making its rounds, as well as a couple of other service vehicles. Toronto Parks and Recreation Department keeps this trail, and Toronto’s many parks, in fine form.

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"The Donald D Summerville Olympic Pool near the Martin Goodman Trail" image (c) by Mike DeHaan
“The Donald D Summerville Olympic Pool near the Martin Goodman Trail” image (c) by Mike DeHaan

The Donald D Summerville Olympic Pool towers above (and just to the north of) the Martin Goodman Trail. It’s just south of the eastern end of Lake Shore Blvd E., where it curves north to become the foot of Woodbine Avenue. I have no idea why someone decided to build an elevated swimming pool, but it is highly regarded among those looking for a place to swim.

It’s worth noting that this whole stretch of the Martin Goodman Trail has sandy beaches. The many lifeguard chairs attest to its reputation as a “swimmer’s beach”; one of several in Toronto.

The upper left of the above photo shows another “bathing station”: a place to change your clothes. Beach volleyball is a big feature of this section of the Martin Goodman Trail, just west of that bathing station.

Just to the north of the bike path, and before reaching the swimming pool, is the first of several children’s playgrounds along this section of the trail.

"Meeting the Ashbridges Bay Park Road from the Martin Goodman Trail" image (c) by Mike DeHaan
“Meeting the Ashbridges Bay Park Road from the Martin Goodman Trail” image (c) by Mike DeHaan

We’ve gone past another children’s play area, and through a wider park area that hosts a lot of picnics on weekends.

The above photo shows the Martin Goodman Trail meeting the Ashbridges Bay Park Road, which I always call “the driveway south from Coxwell”. Turn left to find a parking lot, as well as a section of trails that the Beaches Running Room calls “the Peanut”. (That’s based on the aerial view of an elongated figure-8 biking trail). That area hosts Canada Day Fireworks in Toronto at Ashbridges Bay, an annual free summer Toronto event that I usually watch from nearby Woodbine Park.

However, we’re turning right (north) towards the intersection of Coxwell and Lake Shore Blvd East.

"The Martin Goodman Trail meets Lake Shore Blvd East at Coxwell" image (c) by Mike DeHaan
“The Martin Goodman Trail meets Lake Shore Blvd East at Coxwell” image (c) by Mike DeHaan

The Martin Goodman Trail continues left (west), south of Lake Shore Blvd East. I didn’t take a picture of Ashbridges Bay, to the left of the trail. Today the Boy Scouts facility was hosting some children in canoes (or something… I was busy running) in the bay.

Across Lake Shore Blvd, the above photo hints at the skateboard park on the north-west corner of this intersection. I run past there quite often; and it’s rare to see fewer than a dozen youngsters training or just enjoying the free facility.

Looking Back at the Ashbridges Bay Park

"Ashbridges Bay Park Road at Coxwell and Lake Shore Blvd East" image by Mike DeHaan
“Ashbridges Bay Park Road at Coxwell and Lake Shore Blvd East” image by Mike DeHaan

The above photo looks back, east, along Lake Shore Blvd East and across the intersection for Coxwell and the park road (to the right). Woodbine Park is to the left; it has become the home of many free annual Toronto events such as AfroFest and the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival.

Are You Going Further West along the Martin Goodman Trail?

If you head west along the Martin Goodman Trail from Coxwell, it turns south onto Leslie Street. You will recognize it as a construction zone for the new TTC streetcars, but it should become a really pleasant “linear park” at that corner.

The south end of Leslie has the gate to Tommy Thompson Park; but the Martin Goodman Trail turns west at that gate, following Unwin Avenue. You will eventually find Clarke Beach, where the trail turns north onto Cherry Street. And that’s all the foreshadowing for this article.

The local Running Room in the Beaches makes good use of the eastern-most section of the Martin Goodman Trail. It’s one of the flatter biking trails in Toronto, but that’s something that runners can really appreciate.

One word of caution: these 2.5 kilometres of parkland attract huge crowds on summer holiday weekends. It’s definitely not a fitness trail at those times, unless you’re training for slow-motion dodge-the-families-with-children.

Looking for More Fitness Trails in Toronto Canada?

I have recently begun to note fitness trails in Toronto, in addition to noting many of the 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. (The site is monetized; buy something through an ad and I should earn a commission). 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. That’s why DeHaan Services highlights those online articles on this site.

Click the “Fitness” category at the bottom of the left-hand column for recent articles in this vein. Thanks!

Thanks for reading about the eastern section of the Martin Goodman Trail in Toronto.

Taylor Creek Park in Toronto for Fitness

On Simcoe Day, my wife and I went for a quiet walk at Taylor Creek Park in Toronto. It was well-used, but not crowded, with other hikers, dog walkers, cyclists and runners: a mix of fitness and outdoors enthusiasts, and perhaps a few who find it a safe route to bicycle for work or errands.

Since I’d spent many words recently describing the multi-purpose Martin Goodman Trail along Queen’s Quay, I thought I’d write about the Taylor Creek trail too.

"A 3.5Km Trail in Taylor Creek Park in Toronto" image (c) by Mike DeHaan via gmap-pedometer
“A 3.5Km Trail in Taylor Creek Park in Toronto” image (c) by Mike DeHaan via gmap-pedometer

About Taylor Creek Park in Toronto

The main trail in Taylor Creek Park extends about 3.5 kilometres (about 2 miles) from Victoria Park, west to the parking lot off Don Mills Road. You do have to cross Dawes Road, but the rest of the trail is a multi-use bicycle and walking trail.

There are several stairs or paved climbs out of the valley, with signs like the one in the picture below. The Parks and Recreation department of the City of Toronto has ensured you should not get lost… or at least there are signs to let you know where you are.

"A Sign in Taylor Creek Park near the O'Connor Bridge in Toronto" image (c) by Mike DeHaan
“A Sign in Taylor Creek Park near the O’Connor Bridge in Toronto” image (c) by Mike DeHaan

About the Taylor Creek Trail

The trail is pretty flat, but there are enough curves that cyclists should pay attention to the speed limit. It’s easy to find pedestrians, or youngsters learning to bike, who don’t stick close to the right-hand side of the trail.

The Taylor Creek trail is not a big challenge, unless you want to run or bike up out of the valley. The transition at Dawes Road is pretty forgiving, but the road itself climbs in either direction. As noted, some neighbourhood streets access the park by stairs rather than paved trails.

The park has two washroom facilities and other amenities. I forgot to test the drinking fountain just west of the Dawes Road parking lot. The one near the O’Connor bridge does not work; if memory serves, the city shut off any drinking fountains that are too far away from the water mains, due to health concerns about stagnant water in the pipes.

There’s lots of grass, as well as marshy ground, throughout the park. The trail actually follows Massey Creek from the east, until it merges with Taylor Creek.

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One great feature of Taylor Creek Park is that you can be out of sight of any buildings at all, thanks to tall trees right beside the path and, also, up the slopes of the valley.

"Trees Border the Taylor Creek Trail in Toronto" image (c) by Mike DeHaan
“Trees Border the Taylor Creek Trail in Toronto” image (c) by Mike DeHaan

 Beyond Taylor Creek Park

The parking lot at the west end of Taylor Creek connects to a trail for the Lower Donlands. I’ve run that trail from Lake Shore Blvd East, near the mouth of the Don River, and up to Sunnybrook Park. So the Taylor Creek Park trail is a gateway to the Don Valley. And if you go south to the trail just north of Lake Shore, you meet the Martin Goodman trail with options for downtown or to the eastern Beaches.

Looking for More Fitness Options in Toronto Canada?

My blog sometimes notes opportunities to add fitness to your life in Toronto, in addition to annual Toronto events that I find interesting, free or frugal.

For a double-handful of walking or hiking opportunities, download a copy of “BEST HIKES AND WALKS IN TORONTO: 10 Hiking and Walking Trails in Parks and Outdoors” from Amazon.ca to your Kindle reader (or your computer, after you’ve added the Kindle application).

"A Runner on the Taylor Creek Trail in Toronto" image (c) by Mike DeHaan
“A Runner on the Taylor Creek Trail in Toronto” image (c) by Mike DeHaan

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. (The site is monetized; buy something through an ad and I should earn a commission). 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. That’s why DeHaan Services highlights those online articles on this site.

Click the “Fitnes” category at the bottom of the left-hand column for recent articles in this category. Thanks!

Thanks for reading about Taylor Creek Park in Toronto.