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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

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Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Toronto, ON
Sunday, October 18, 2026


  4.9 Stars from 7 Reviews

Course Description
The Toronto Waterfront Marathon is celebrated as Canada's premier running event, known for its fast, flat, and scenic course that is ideal for setting a personal best or achieving a Boston Marathon qualifying time. The route showcases a comprehensive tour of the city. The course's highlight is a long, out-and-back stretch along the beautiful Lake Ontario waterfront, which provides runners with stunning views of the city skyline and the vast lake.

While generally considered flat, the course does feature some minor, but notable, urban challenges, including navigating streetcar tracks at various intersections, a few hairpin turns, and a gradual incline on Bay Street leading up to the final kilometers and the finish line near Nathan Phillips Square. This World Athletics Elite Label road race integrates city landscapes with a beautiful natural backdrop, all while providing strong crowd support and numerous entertainment centers that contribute to a truly world-class marathon experience.

October Other Marathons in October Other Marathons in Ontario Marathons near Toronto, ON



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Sunday, October 18, 2026
2025: Sunday, October 19, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Mostly Out and Back
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 51°F (10°C)
Average High: 58°F (14°C)
Average Low: 45° F (7°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.37
Course Score: 99.37

Race Size

2025: 7,306 Finishers
2024: 6,268 Finishers
2023: 4,559 Finishers
2022: 3,479 Finishers
2021: No Results
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 6.1%
2024: 8.8%
2023: 13.1%
2022: 16.2%
2021: N/A
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 10 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 60°F  (16°C)
Low: 47°F  (8°C)

Race Start Conditions

51°F  (11°C)
Humidity: 77%

Clear
S 8 mph

PR Score

98.76

Course Score

99.43






Toronto Waterfront Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Toronto Waterfront Marathon was the 1st largest marathon in Canada in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 1st largest marathon in Canada.

In 2025, 6.1% of Toronto Waterfront Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 8.8% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Toronto Waterfront Marathon ranked 21st among marathons in Canada in 2025 and 20th in 2024. In Ontario, it ranked 8th in 2025 and 10th in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Toronto Waterfront Marathon has a Course Score of 99.37, ranking it as the 10th fastest marathon course in Canada and the 6th fastest marathon course in Ontario.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Toronto Waterfront Marathon a PR Score of 99.37. The PR Score ranks the Toronto Waterfront Marathon as the 9th best marathon in Canada for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 6th best marathon for a PR in Ontario.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Toronto Waterfront Marathon compares with other marathons in Canada and Ontario for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Toronto Waterfront Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed10th fastest marathon course in Canada
Ranked 6th fastest marathon course in Ontario
Top 32% Nationally#6 of 12 in Ontario
PR Potential9th best marathon for a Personal Record in Canada
Ranked 6th best marathon for a PR in Ontario
Top 29% Nationally#6 of 12 in Ontario
Boston Qualifier Rate21st highest BQ percentage in Canada
Ranked 8th highest BQ percentage in Ontario
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 70% Nationally#8 of 10 in Ontario
Race Size1st largest marathon in Canada
Ranked 1st largest marathon in Ontario
Based on 2025 results
Top 4% Nationally#1 of 11 in Ontario

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart

Max Elevation: 379 feet (115m)
Min Elevation: 245 feet (74m)


Toronto

Course updated 07/08/2026




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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Compare the Toronto Waterfront Marathon to other Marathons

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Race Reviews


4.9
Based on 7 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Major marathon support with Small town Feel

Full 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.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Stay right downtown at the hotels that partner with the marathon. It’s like a 10 minute walk to the start line.
Reviewed by Maria About 2024

First Marathon - Loved It!!!

Full Review:

I’ve run the half here many times and always enjoyed it - the full was also an amazing experience. A well-supported, mostly flat course. The “scenery” on the back half isn’t that great, just kinda boring, and there was a really big gap in porta potties to the point where I started contemplating the bushes - but overall I really enjoyed it. Lots of people out cheering along the whole course, well stocked hydration stations, an all around great experience.

Race Tips:

Whether you’re from Toronto, or coming to Toronto just to race, THIS is the race to do - NOT Toronto Marathon. October is usually great weather for it - just beware of the street car tracks on Bathurst Street - footing can be tricky if you’re not careful.
Reviewed by Elisabeth About 2024

Fantastic supportive World Class Organization

Full 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.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

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.
Reviewed by Jen About 2022

Full Review:

Beautiful city, excellent organization. Unfortunately the weather was warm and very humid on race day and that made it impossible to race well.
Reviewed by Javier About 2016

Full 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.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

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!
Reviewed by Michael About 2016

Full 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.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I live local so I don't have any concerns.
Reviewed by Rosemary Simone About 2016

Full Review:

Great race through many diverse neighbourhoods. Very well organized and run. Just received IAAF gold standard - only 4th such race in North America, along with Boston, Chicago and New York.

Race Tips:

There are several sections of the course that run roads with streetcar tracks that runners must watch carefully for.
Reviewed by Cathy C About 2014