A rivalry between Toronto's two fall marathons is set to ramp up, following recommendations from city staff that there be just one race a year.
The Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon, which sails down Yonge Street, and the newer Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, which hugs the harbour front, have been unable to agree on moving one of the events to the spring, said Gary Welsh, general manager of transportation services.
The races are just three weeks apart right now and last year that created headaches for people trying to get around the city. So, Mr. Welsh's staff are recommending that there be only one run, with an eye to creating a bigger race with higher profile that is in step with the legendary runs through Boston and Chicago.
"One marathon for the City of Toronto can enhance a City's athletic running profile on a local, national, and in some cases, international level," staff wrote in a report that will be debated at next month's public works and infrastructure committee.
Staff recommend opening up a request for proposals that would ultimately reward the race to one bid. If approved, you will see only one race in 2011. "Marathons do have a significant impact on the city so we're trying to minimize that impact," Mr. Welsh said.
Both the Toronto Marathon and the Waterfront Marathon intend to submit bids.
"Let the games begin," said Alan Brookes, race director for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. "They've come up with something that I think will be best for the city and best for the sport. As a runner, who wouldn't want to have a marathon like Boston or Chicago in our city," he said.
It remains to be seen if Toronto can match the pace of other major international races. New York's race draws more than 40,000 marathoners and Boston, considered the most prestigious race, has a maximum of 25,000 participants.
The Toronto races bring out 2,600 to 3,600 marathoners (there are a total of 20,000 runners in other, shorter, distances in the Waterfront race, and 14,000 for the Toronto Marathon).
But both have earned their slate of faithful followers; they raise millions of dollars for charity, have local politicians participate and routinely draw spectators curbside to cheer on roadrunners.
Jay Glassman, race director for the Goodlife Toronto Marathon, called the bidding process an "interesting solution" but "in a way, it's a cop out because the city created this problem". He said he went to the city when Waterfront started and told them that Toronto did not need two races in the same season. Since then, he said the competition has tried to "squeeze" his race out.
Mr. Brooks admits the relationship between the two camps has been "acrimonious" at times. "It's been a very spirited competition and I don't think that's been in the best interest of the city," said Mr. Brooks, noting that both races are fighting for the same pool of runners.
The Canada Running Series, which puts on the Waterfront event, also organizes four other races in the spring, and Mr. Brooks said that's why it could not move the Waterfont date. Mr. Glassman said his race would have moved to spring, if the city had demanded it.
Right now, each race has a $20 to $25-million economic impact on Toronto. The economic impact of the New York marathon is about $200-million while Boston creates almost $100-million.
National Post
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4 comments:
Interesting... I hope if anything the Toronto stays or it's route gets absorbed into the combined marathon. I have a feeling the waterfront folks will win this one. They got the money and a bigger name now.
I know personally I won't be running any more marathons in Toronto if the Toronto marathon is gone. Nothing against the Waterfront or their organization but I cannot stand a dreadful course and the car fumes.
While I prefer one marathon as suggested, is there really a problem here? As an example, Ottawa has three marathons but less complaining.
It seems if you want action, the media needs to get involved. Just look at the sleeping subway collector photo -- the TTC chair says all TTC employees will be evaluated on public relations and will all be trained.
There are people that run both these races -- I`m using the Waterfront half marathon as training for the Toronto full marathon 3 weeks later. It`ll be good for the TTC to operate early on Sundays and for the race to start at 7:30 AM (like the Waterfront). I do know first-hand the chaos and mess in traffic.
In the end, it will come down to numbers -- Waterfront has the greater turnout and can generate more money for city; not to mention their charity runners. I do wonder if David Miller, having run the half marathon at Waterfront, will have a bias towards that one.
As I`ve heard others say, the Toronto Marathon is the better route. I hope to see the best of both races combined.
While on my LSD this morning, I passed by Sporting Life on Yonge Street, north of Eglinton. There's a banner about their 10 K in early May. Hmmm...this is down Yonge Street going to the downtown and there are 10 000 racers -- so traffic must be chaotic here as well yet I don't recall hearing anything about this.
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