Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon vs. Toronto Marathon

Yesterday morning, on the drive to work, heard a minute news report on the road closures to the Sunday Toronto Marathon, the 2nd marathon in 3 weeks. The roads are going be tied up with lots of angry motorists. The Scotiabank Waterfront marathon race director, Alan Brookes said he has absolutely no intentions of moving the marathon to the spring. The Toronto Marathon race director, Jay Glassman, said his marathon has been in existence longer and tried to stop the Waterfront marathon from being only 3-weeks apart but was told by City Hall that they couldn't say yes to one and no to the other. Brookes remained open to the idea of combining the 2 marathons together, while Glassman said absolutely not. Makes sense since the Toronto Marathon route is much scenic througout.

Here's some random thoughts on the best features of each race:

*** Expo: Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon

- Scotiabank's expo is huge -- they had to change locations to the Direct Energy Building at the CNE. Personally, I prefer the Metro Convention Centre since it is a central location and also the university fair is on at the same time.
- Toronto Marathon's expo is small -- the walkway is narrow and can be walked in a couple of minutes. I would say most of the booths were the same as Scotiabank's. It's really a small version.
- The speakers at the Scotiabank this year were amazing! Lots of seats as well.
- Toronto Marathon has the same speakers every year and I would say about 12 chairs. Embarassing.
- Toronto Marathon merchandise is more affordable -- e.g., I bought track pants with the race logo for $25 last year.


*** Goody Bag: Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon

- Both bibs have your name on it if you register before a certain date. I prefer the Scotiabank since they only use first names; Toronto Marathon has first and last. Not sure why.
- Scotiabank has a "green" bag that can be reused. Toronto Marathon had that last year so I'm not sure why they resorted to the plastic bag -- especially since they cost 5 cents to purchase.
- I prefer the tech shirt from Scotiabank as it seems better quality - not to mention half and full marathon get separate shirts. Don't like the yucky orange colour from Toronto Marathon this year.
- Both had useless brochures -- so much paper wasted.


*** Route: Toronto Marathon

- I have never run the Toronto Marathon's full but it's scenic from Mel Lastman Square south on Yonge and making its way to the Martin Goodman Trail (the first half of the Scotiabank). Hoggs Hollow is tough and there are some hills on Yonge Street. The finish north of University must be tough.
- I do like the Scotiabank route since it's flat -- but there are rolling hills also the new route of Queen St. East
- Also, the Toronto Marathon has the half marathon and full marathon start at different times. This allows for more room to run. The Scotiabank, on the other hand, start together and I found it particularly crowded this year for the first 10 K or so. And they want to add more people to the race :-|
- The finish in both races are great - not congested at all.


*** Fluid Stations: Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront

- Gels are not provided at Scotiabank Waterfront. Gels are provided in Toronto Marathon at 26 K and 32 K.
- Both have water and Gatorade.
- The spacing of the fluid stations are inconsistent at Toronto Marathon -- 2 within a kilometre. For Scotiabank, it is better (although not as great as Mississauga where they are every 2 K).
- The organization at Scotiabank was great -- water first and then Gatorade -- and tables left and right.


*** Spectators and Entertainment: Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront

- Scotiabank Waterfront has cheering sections in ethnic parts of the city. Nice entertainment!
- Spectators are non-existent in the 2nd half of the marathon, except for Queen Street East.


*** Finisher's Medal: Toronto Marathon

- Scotiabank has done a great job from the awful dog tags (that was my first finisher's medal in the marathon, I walked it). This year, it is shiny gold colour of the Iron building in St. Lawrence Market.
- Toronto Marathon's medals are huge and thick. This year, the marathon medal is huge and heavy - black with a centre rolling part.
- Actually, the Toronto Marathon is well known for their huge and heavy medals!


*** Support on Course: Toronto Marathon

- Both races are kept safe by volunteers, police, and medics.
- Toronto Marathon has people on bikes that help you with the mental side, if needed, or if they see a runner not feeling well.


*** Post Race: Toronto Marathon

- Post food is the usual at both races - bananas, apples, bagels
- showers are available in the Toronto Marathon
- finisher's medal engraving available at Toronto Marathon this year
- finisher's certificate for Toronto Marathon is detailed analysis, comparing you to others. Very nice!