FAQ & Answers >> FAQ: Course
Half and Full Marathon Course
The following items will NOT be allowed on the half or full marathon course: strollers, baby joggers, skateboards, rollerblades, unauthorized bicycles, any other wheeled device, animals, walking sticks/poles/canes, etc.
5k Course
The following items will NOT be allowed on the 5k race course: skateboards, rollerblades, unauthorized bicycles, animals (guide dogs will be permitted).
The only dogs (animals) that will be allowed on the course are guide dogs and this is ONLY on the 5k race course.
Yes, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is a registered AIMS Marathon (Association of International Marathons), certified by Athletics Canada which makes it a great flat, fast, traffic-free Boston Qualifier. For more details on qualifying for Boston visit www.bostonmarathon.com.
Yes, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and Half-Marathon are fully sanctioned by AIMS (Association of International Marathons) and Athletics Canada. The 5k event is sanctioned by Athletics Canada.
Click here for a detailed course description and maps.
The half and full marathon start on University Ave. just north of Queen St.
The 5k starts at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) grounds.
Yes, walkers start behind the runners at 9:00am. The marathon course will remain open until 3:00pm, allowing for a 6hr marathon. After the course closes, support will be limited and participants assume the role of pedestrians.
Yes, walkers start behind the runners at 9:00am. The half marathon course will remain open until 12:40pm, allowing for a 3hr 40min half marathon. After the course closes, support will be limited, and participants assume the role of pedestrians.
If you require the use of a wheelchair and would like to participate in the event we invite you to enter the 5k race. We are working towards creating a half and full marathon course that is accessible and safe for wheelchair participants.
The half/full marathon start will have 3 waves leaving 5 minutes apart. The waves will be separated as follows:
To ensure we stay with in the confines of our street permit, the above times will be enforced in the following ways:
Our courses are all accurately measured and certified by Bernard Conway, IAAF Class “A” measurer and IAAF Head Measurer for the Americas. Our Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k courses are ALL marked in kilometres.
If you are used to Imperial measurement, the Running Room booth at the race Expo will have lots of FREE “pace” wristbands to calculate kilometres and miles.
Running Times has some great tables in kilometres as well as miles at: www.runningtimes.com/Channel.aspx?CategoryID=94.
Yes to both!
Sportstats is offering Live Results on Race Day: check home page for link on race day.
Also, Live SMS text messaging is available for Marathon and Half Marathon participants. Cost is $2.99.
Checkpoints are as follows:
Marathon: 10k, 21.1k, 30k, 35k, 40k, Finish.
Half-Marathon: 10k, Finish.
Click here
to register for the text messaging service.
Yes, you are allowed to wear MP3 players, iPods, etc at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Please stay to the right hand side of the road and be aware of runners and course marshalls around you. You are encouraged to keep the volume low enough so that you can still hear important directions provided by course marshalls.
Remember that there are 12 Neighbourhood Cheering and Entertainment Centres on the marathon route, so you may wish to leave the headphones at home and enjoy the on-course entertainment.
Pacers will be available for the Marathon and Half Marathon via the STWM Pacer Program powered by Brooks. See pacer times listed on the Pacer Program page.
Water and Gatorade will be available at the race party area near the finish line and at all Water & Aid stations along the course. Each aid station will have Gatorade, Water, Port-o-lets and first aid personnel.
Water & Aid stations are located at every 2–3k. See locations below:
| 3k | 5k | 8k | 11k | 13.5k | 16.5k |
| 18.5k | 21k | 23k | 24.5k | 27k | 30k |
| 31.5k | 34k | 36k | 38k | 40k |
Yes, Gatorade will be available at the race party area near the finish line and at all Water & Aid stations. Lemon/lime Gatorade will be available on course and if additional supplies are needed then Orange flavour will also be offered.
Clif Shot Gels will be available for half and full marathon participants at the 16.5k and 27k aid stations.
There will be 2 Port-o-lets at each aid station and at each Neighbourhood Challenge entertainment station.
At the start/finish area you will find a band, DJ and/or announcer. There will also be bands, DJs and performers at various points along the course as part of the Neighbourhood Challenge.
42.195 kilometres or 26 miles
21.0975 kilometres or 13 miles