Race Reviews

MM's review of 2024 race.   

Review

The race was delayed by 30 minutes so instead of the 10k starting at 8am and the 5k starting at 8:20, both started shortly after 8:30. It was cold and rainy so this delay made everyone cold and stiff. There was no water on the 10k route and it inners were packed into either the path or by pylons on the road. Given there were so many walkers, as there are no corrals, this was very frustrating. Trying to get water, a banana and a medal after was nearly impossible as the expo area was chaos with nobody guiding where people should go.

Race Tips

Bring your own water especially for longer races than 10k.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Anonymous's review of 2024 race.   

Review

The 2024 Goodlife start was great. First half was staffed with cheer crowds and water, even in the slightly rainy and very overcast weather. Couldn't have been better. Even with the Yorkmill Hill. But man - just like the race tagline itself - it was all downhill after that! The second half, while mostly flat terrain, was also a flat out mess!! The out and back course on MGT was criss-crossed at more than a few points and runners were running into each other?! Tried legs. No balance. No one telling you this way or that way. Such a terrible way to run your race after months of training?! No water stations between the Humber bridges - so - what was that, like 8K? No cheer crowds on last 5K to finish. And this year, they put a surprise steep hill right at the end. Fun. Anyways - at the end, your name should be called. You should be congratulated. You should be medaled by someone, get your bag, bagel, banana, water, granola, space blanket and exit into a big park to find your family and friends. Not Goodlife. This year, you finished and you stood. In a big long crowded line to … enter a building. No one tells you what line you're in. What you're corralled and waiting for. Outside. Losing body heat and body temperature like crazy. In rainy weather. I spent 30 minutes outside after finishing just to go inside a building. With thousands of other runners who have just come in from the rain. Smelled worse than wet dogs. THEN you were unceremoniously HANDED your MEDAL. Distasteful. Got water. OK. Finally. But no food. NO FOOD. NO SPACE BLANKETS. NO BAGS not even plastic ones to carry all your stuff. Or vomit into. IDK. Just a thoughtless finish and finish area. There were pylons and curtains and aisles but NO ONE was offering directions or help. NO signs or arrows on the floor. I got my bib mailed to me beforehand but still had to go down to the NON-expo to pick up my t-shirt. Which was WAY TOO BIG for a women's small. NO one outside or inside telling you how to get home. I am from Toronto but not everyone running was?! These fantastic but oh so tired athletes deserved so much more as guests of our city. If this was your first time in Toronto, and your first marathon - OMG, please do Scotiabank Waterfront and experience top-notch organization.

Race Tips

Train with hills in your training block if you're preparing to run this course. Don't expect frills and thrills. But Goodlife is a better bet to PR than at Scotia by a minute or a few. Net downhill helps for sure. But the weather is cooler in May than October which can help your performance too.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

If you want a big heavy and 2024 was actually a beautiful medal - this is your marathon.

Rob's review of 2022 race.   

Review

This was the first in person on this course in 3 years. The course is very favorable, with one small hill in mile 3, then downhill for the rest of the first half, and very flat for the second half. Great time of year in Toronto. The previous reviews had concerns about organization, but in my experience the water stations were well organized and supplied. Buses to the start line and expo worked out well. Not enough buses back. Race was responsive to feedback and I think it may be even better in 2023. I ran my PR there, and would return if looking for another PR because it's a great course.

Race Tips

Don't start too fast! 1st half is downhill, second half is flat, leave some energy for the end.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Race had buses from the Hilton Toronto Downtown to the start, and back to there. Cost $10, worth it.

AN's review of 2019 race.   

Review

I've run the half marathon before and had a great experience, however the marathon was a mess. First half of the marathon was great. Second half of the race had very few water stops (definitely fewer than advertised and poorly staffed). People who didn't carry their own water got screwed. The out and back section on a paved trail was OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. I'm talking cyclists (?!??!), people doing a Sunday stroll, etc. These people seemed oblivious to the fact that a marathon was going on and didn't move out of the way. I had high hopes for this marathon and was disappointed. Will not be returning.

Race Tips

Expect that there will not be enough water on the second half of the course. Expect cyclists and people on their Sunday stroll to be sharing the road with you during the second half of the race.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Anonymous's review of 2019 race.   

Review

There were many issues with this race organization. The expo was more for packet pickup with only few small vendors so nothing special there. The first 10 miles of the course has rough cracked roared to contend with, a long 1000 meter steep hill at mile 3. The last half of the course is flat but runners were constantly faced with bikers, dogs, strollers, and walkers sharing the running paths. At the final finish the full marathoners had to dodge the half runners to the finish big time. The finish area after the race did not have proper fluids like Gatorade, etc. They said they ran out, but why since I ran close to 3 hours. Finally there was a runner in major major distress after the race and no race team crew came to his aid for nearly 20 minutes despite clearly seeing him from just feet away. Runners with trying their best. All said pass on this race unless you live in the area, and even then may be pass too

Race Tips

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Skip the bus shuttle from the finish to the hotels. Wait times were from 60-120 minutes

Maria's review of 2024 race.   

Review

I loved that this marathon has great support, but not as crowded as the majors. Well organized and easy to get to it.

Race Tips

The second half is tougher because it thins out. If you don't like crowds this is really nice.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stay right downtown at the hotels that partner with the marathon. It’s like a 10 minute walk to the start line.

Jen's review of 2022 race.   

Review

Clocks every kilometer, great cheering zones and support stations water, gel, nun. The sponsor hotel was right outside the door of the start line. The next day I watched the race on Youtube! Participants are all well treated. You could see the professional athletes racing as they turned to head back. We enjoyed the pre-event expo athletic choices. World Class Marathon organization, Half Marathon and 5km.

Race Tips

Fall marathon. Perfect racing temp. start 8c (44degrees F). Previous years race temperature we also good. First 1.5 km gradual up hill but next 8km gentle down hill.( be careful not to run to fast early) Running along waterfront with Half Marathon to 20km. Section 25km-32km flat but can feel quiet until the being greeted at the turnaround 33km with lots of cheering people and aid stations. Pacers for the Half & Full Marathon.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Must enter the corrals from the very back and move forward to your bib colour. Stayed at the Sheraton Hotel - situated at the start and finish line of the races. A blessing.

Javier's review of 2016 race.   

Review

Beautiful city, excellent organization. Unfortunately the weather was warm and very humid on race day and that made it impossible to race well.

Race Tips

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Michael's review of 2016 race.   

Review

Fast course, well organized and lots of drink stations. A fast elite field and an interesting course through many big city neighbourhoods. Not much bad to say, really.

Race Tips

This course is advertised as flat, but it really has quite a few long long gentle slopes. Also you change direction frequently, which can be a good thing if you're running into a headwind. The half marathon participants start at the same time, so it's best not to get caught up in their faster pace off the start. The final 2 km is fantastic, big crowds and you're right downtown in Toronto.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

You can get a discount if you book through the race website, but downtown Toronto hotels are very very expensive. Very few amenities and a hefty price tag. Instead find an Airbnb apartment or share a room with a couple of other runners to split costs.

Transportation is very easy, with lots of shuttle buses to the expo and start line area. Also public transit in Toronto is cheap and easy, plus taxis and Uber. No problem getting around!

Rosemary Simone's review of 2016 race.   

Review

Very well organized. I wish My family could have bee accessible right at the finish instead of having to walk a long distance to meet them. The crowd support was really good. The metal was really nice. The tech t-shirt was a profit fit and so comfortable but I'm not really a fan of black.

Race Tips

It's a great race. Enjoy it.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I live local so I don't have any concerns.