The Toronto Marathon is one of the world’s most prestigious races, but the rules for entry are a lot stricter than you will find with most other marathons.
For starters, you have to be eighteen years-old on the day of the race to enter and no walkers are permitted in the race. If you are not running, you are out.
All runners must maintain a 12-minute per mile pace or they are asked to get on the sidewalk away from other runners.
The famous “Pace Bunnies” are always out there for those who need some guidance staying at an acceptable pace.
These rules are stricter than the rules for many other marathons, but this is a more prestigious race for advanced and elite level runners.
Many runners enter this race with the goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon, so they take it very serious.
First-Time Marathoners
This is not a race typically chosen for first-time marathon runners, but many are now signing up because of the Road Warrior program.
This is a program that adds a special prize category where every single runner has a good chance of placing. It is kind of similar to receiving a handicap in golf, with the intention of allowing slower runners to place right up there with the faster elite level runners. This allows people who would never win other marathons to place and take home an award.
This has to be signed up for through a separate website before the race, but it is an encouragement for less skilled and slower runners to enter the Toronto Marathon.
Toronto Marathon Training Plan
Training for this marathon is more intense, since you do have that limit on what your pace must be to completely stay in the race and off the sidelines. This is a marathon that should be worked up to with time, racing other marathons and half marathons to build up confidence and speed.
There is a program on race weekend where racers can meet to go for a short run and ask questions of a Toronto Marathon pro. This is an opportunity to get rid of the butterflies and mentally prepare for the race ahead.
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Toronto Marathon Course
The course is one of the easier courses to master, since it does not have a lot of incline and it is incredibly straight. There are fewer turns than in most other marathons, so racers are going straight and steady on one road most of the way. This allows many racers to get through faster, increasing chances of making that personal best or making it to the Boston Marathon.
Marathon Registration
Sign-ups for the race can be made online, but racers will need their online confirmation number in order to pick up their race packet. Packets are picked up at the expo over the weekend leading up to the race, or they may be picked up the morning of the race.
The packets include shirts, bib numbers, and a variety of samples from products supporting the Toronto Marathon. The expo is free to registered runners, but only during the hours packets are being handed out.
Racers may also pay to enter the pasta dinner for carb loading the night before the race. This comes at an extra cost and is not mandatory, but it is a good way to mingle with other racers and get all those needed carbs before heading to bed for a good night of rest.
This is one of the more prestigious pasta dinners and tickets sell out very fast. Typically, those first to sign up for the race are the ones who make it into the event before no tickets are available. Featured guests come for speeches and to answer questions during the dinner.
Toronto Marathon Hotels
Racers should make hotel and flight reservations as soon as they enter the race.
The best hotels will sell out every year, often long before the race is set to be held. This leaves many runners staying further away from the action than they really want to stay or perhaps struggling to get flights into Toronto on time. The earlier reservations are made, the better.
Getting into town a couple days early and leaving out a day or two later will allow many to cut down on the traffic and travel chaos.
There is a lot to be enjoyed at the Toronto Marathon and it isn’t all serious, but it is one of the most prestigious running events in the world. As a Boston Marathon qualifier, it naturally draws a lot of professional and elite level runners.
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