Start Times
(corral starts will be adjusted depending on event numbers)
| Marathon | 7:30 AM | Yonge St & North York Blvd. |
| Half-Marathon Run | 8:30 AM | Yonge St & North York Blvd. |
| 10K Run | 7:30 AM | Lake Shore Blvd. & Strachan |
| 5K Run/Walk | 8:00 AM | Lake Shore Blvd. & Strachan |
| Check Cut-off times below |
Transportation
Participants should arrive at the start line at least 45 minutes before the scheduled start. There is access to the start area by private vehicle, taxi or uber with plenty of paid parking available in nearby parking lots. It is strongly recommended that if coming from downtown that you order a shuttle bus ticket. Traffic in Toronto is challenging at the best of times. Plan ahead to make sure to get to the start on-time.
Marathon and Half Marathon drop off location: We suggest that if you are in a taxi/uber asked to dropped off on Beecroft and North York Blvd. See Race Map link for overview of the area to determine the best place for you.
Public Transit
TTC subway service begins at 8:00 AM on Sundays, but surface routes (buses) operate on regular Sunday hours. The 320 Yonge route operates every 3-4 minutes to the Marathon and Half Marathon start lines. Check the TTC website for further information.
Parking
Be advised road closures are in effect beginning at 5:30 AM at the Start areas.
Parking near the Marathon and Half Marathon start line can be found at the Yonge Sheppard Centre, The North York Centre, and The RIOCAN Empress. Additional parking on Beecroft just west of the start area behind Mel Lastman Sq.
Exhibition Place Parking: Enercare Centre – enter from Canada Blvd. at the East end for underground parking. Plan to arrive early to avoid road closures and delays. The finish line is just a short walk east.
Buses to Start (Marathon & Half Marathon only)
The shuttle is only for those running the Marathon or Half Marathon. The ticket will be printed on the front of your bib (upper right corner). Buses depart from the following locations from 5:30 a.m. to 6:40 a.m. The shuttle from the Sheraton Centre & Hilton and Exhibition Place takes approximately 50 minutes to reach the Start Area. If you are participating in the Marathon – you must be on the bus no later than 6:10 a.m. or risk being late for your race. The buses are loaded 1st come, 1st served. It is your responsibility to arrive early. As soon as a bus is full, it will depart.
1. Hilton & Sheraton Centre Hotel: 123 Queen St just East of York St. (Marathon & Half Marathon only) from 5:30 a.m. Buses will be on the south side of Queen St. just East of York St.
2. Exhibition Place: Hotel X 111 Princes’ Blvd. (Marathon & Half Marathon only) from 5:30 a.m.
You MUST show your bib to board (bus pass is printed on the front of your bib) Don’t wait until the last minute. Look for the Yellow School Buses.
Bus Shuttle Tickets must be purchased by April 11th. If you would like to add the shuttle to your existing registration, go to the dashboard link found in your confirmation email (see “store” to add).
Transportation After the Race
Public transit is available a very short walk from the finish line. For more information, please go to TTC.
A free shuttle service for participants only; to University and Richmond (Hilton & Sheraton hotels, Osgood subway station) beginning at 9:30 AM continuous to 2:30 PM. Located on Fort York Blvd. at Fleet St. across the street from the Recovery Area. To get back up to the start area, use the TTC – subway to the Yonge/Sheppard or North York Centre stations.
Bag Check & Toilets
Please keep bag size to no more than 20″ x 15″.
Bag Truck Location: west side of Yonge St. on North York Blvd. towards Beecroft.
Please bring your own bag if you wish to check items before the race. Attach the tag provided on the bottom of your bib to your bag for proper identification. Do not pack valuables. Your bag will be waiting for you at the finish line. We strongly suggest that you pay attention to the weather, and pack clothes accordingly. The bag check is open to the elements; suggest that you put clothes in a plastic bag to keep dry. Be vigilant! Should you notice anything suspicious, notify a race official or police immediately. We reserve the right to search all bags before transporting. We are not responsible for any bags left in the bag check area after it closes (3:30 PM). Please have a someone pick-up for you if you are unable to. Items that are not claimed will be donated.
(we do not accept responsibility for lost/stolen or damaged bags)
Marathon and Half Marathon
Marathon: Bag Truck departs at 7:00 AM.
Half Marathon: Bag Truck departs at 8:00 AM.
Bags will NOT be transported to finish area after these times.
Toilets (Start line): Located at Mel Lastman Sq. at the start line, and inside the North York City Centre on the north side of the Square, Across the street at the RioCan Empress Walk, and at The Yonge Sheppard Centre. All will open at 6:00 AM.
5K and 10K Bag Check (at the 5k, 10k start line)
Located: at the Gore lot (see race map) Bags must be checked by 7:20 AM.
Tip – Attach the tag to your bag prior to leaving your home/hotel.
Important Safety Note
For the safety of all participants, we strongly recommend against wearing audio devices that inhibit your ability to hear surrounding sounds. This is a danger to fellow participants and yourself if you cannot hear direction from a race official, event participant, or emergency vehicles.
Discarded Clothing
If you need to discard clothing while you’re running, please move towards the curb lane and throw towards the sidewalk just before you get to an Aid Station. This will prevent fellow participants from tripping on your clothes, and will make it much easier for our team to collect. All discarded clothing will be donated to charity.
Tracking
Tracking is available by SportStats. Please use the links below to track your run.
Time Limit (Cut-off)
Marathon: The course will close at 6 hours (1:30 PM). If it appears to race officials that you are unable to finish within the time limit, you may be removed from the course.
Half Marathon: 4 hours (12:30 PM)
10k: 2.5 hours
5k: 1.5 hours
Start Corrals
The corral that you chose at registration is printed on the front of your bib. Your timing tag is activated when you cross the start line. Our Corrals use the “honour system” look for the corral flags at the start line. Please line up according to your corral time/colour.
Marathon: The first 2 corrals go at 7:30 a.m., followed by the next 3 corrals at 7:45 a.m.
Half Marathon: The first 2 corrals go at 8:30, followed by the next 3 at 8:50.
Pace bunnies will be in their respective positions corresponding to the corral times.
| Marathon | Half-Marathon | ||
| Elite (Red) | Sub 2:30 | Elite (Red) | Sub 1:15 |
| Sub Elite (Yellow) | Sub 3:10 | Sub Elite (Yellow) | Sub 1:35 |
| Competitive (Blue) | Sub 3:35 | Competitive (Blue) | Sub 1:47 |
| Preferred (Green) | Sub 4:00 | Preferred (Green) | Sub 2:00 |
| Open (Orange) | 4:00+ | Open (Orange) | 2:00+ |
Aid Stations
Aid stations provide water, electrolyte and toilets approximately every 2.5 km to 3.5km, and at the Start and Finish Lines. Note that the the first tables at the first few stations can be crowded, so may be better to go for tables further down the line. Water is placed before the Electrolyte. If you are in distress, please inform a race official immediately. Aid Stations are staffed by volunteers; please be sure to thank them as you pass.
If you use gels; Do Not discard the package on the ground. Tuck into your shorts or pocket. If we see runners discard waste on the ground, (other than race cups) you may be disqualified. Please be respectful of our city, the environment, and all the neighbourhoods we have the privilege to run through.
BIOSTEEL flavor (on course) Pink Lemonade. Note: station distance is approximate. For additional product information on BIOSTEEL, please click here.
| Number | Km | Water | Electrolyte | ||
| 1 | Start | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 2 | 3.6k | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 3 | 6.5k | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 4 | 9.3k | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 5 | 10.5k | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 6 A | 13.2k | Bananas | |||
| 6 B | 13.5k | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 7 | 16k | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 8 | 17.6k | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 9 | 21.2k | Water |
BIOSTEEL |
||
| 10 | 24.6k | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 11 | 27.2k | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 12 | 29K/41.4K | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 13 | 30.5K/39.7 | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 14 | 32K/38.5 | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 15 | 33.8K/36.5K | Water | BIOSTEEL | ||
| 16 | FINISH LINE | Water | BIOSTEEL |
The Course
The 1st mile, every 5th mile, and each km are marked in the Marathon and Half Marathon. Clocks will be located at the Start, halfway point of the Marathon, and Finish Line. The Marathon markers are blue and the Half Marathon markers are orange. The Marathon course will close at 6 hours. Each KM is marked in the 5k and 10k courses. Medical teams are located along each course. Race officials will pull any person running without a bib off the course. We urge paying participants to discourage anyone from participating unofficially.
Maps: Know your course. Click here for race route maps.
NO BIB, NO RUN!
Entertainment
Entertainment will be provided at select locations along the course to help keep you motivated and get you to the finish line. If you know of a band, or entertainer who may be interested in supporting a great cause, please email info@torontomarathon.com
Finish Area (Lake Shore Blvd. & Strachan)
Remember to smile and keep your hands away from your bib number as you cross the finish line for your official picture by MarathonFoto! Bib numbers need to be clearly visible so that you can be identified.
It’s important to move through the chute quickly after crossing the finish line. Do not wait for friends to cross as this causes congestion and inhibits the ability for race officials to do their job.
After you cross the finish line, you’ll receive your medal and water in the chute, and then proceed to the end of the chute as quickly as possible. The Recovery food and bag Area has lots of options to help you replenish from hydration to protein, and carbs. The Massage (RMT) and Physio team is for Marathoners and Half Marathoners only. Our medical team is on hand to assist any participant in need.
Marathon Swag: Our marathon store is only open during kit pick-up at the Sheraton Centre Hotel.
The reunion area is on Fleet St on the north side of the Recovery area near the participant exit. Only race participants and officials are permitted inside the chute and Recovery area. We suggest that you look at the map carefully and scout out an area to meet following your finish. An ideal place is on the West side of the finish area near the Princes’ Gate at Exhibition Place, as it will be less crowded.
Please do not carry or run with your infant child on the course or prior to crossing the finish line. This presents a hazard to your child, yourself and all participants. Participant safety is paramount and doing this may result in disqualification.
