News & Releases >> 2005 >> Aug 3 2005
NEWS Aug 3 2005
British Invasion: "Team GB", Team Fauja/Sikhs in England, and Andrew Forsyth
One of the most striking features of the explosion in numbers at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2004 and 2005, has been the growth of international runners, and the impact on tourism for the city. Two years ago, there were less than 200 international participants. On September 25th, there will be four times that number, many accompanied by family and friends.
While our American neighbours will lead the way, with over 500 runners drawn from 40 states, you'll notice the colourful Brits everywhere—many with lots of good stories to share over a beer or two on marathon weekend! We've never had more than 30 before, but this year there will be close to 200, including...
Team GB. An official elite, national team consisting of Mike Green from Blackburn, Darran Bilton from York, and Lucy Hasell and Amy Stiles from Bristol. They'll be going head-to-head against Team Canada (Jim Finlayson and Steve Osaduik from Victoria and Nanaimo; Sandy Jacobson from Edmonton; and Tania Jones from T.O.).
"Team Fauja"/Sikhs in England. Sadly, 94-year old world record holder, Fauja Singh, will not be with us this year, but he's inspired 15 of his understudies, several of them youngsters in their 70's, to make the journey to Toronto Waterfront in September. In June, 5 of them combined to form the world's oldest marathon-relay team at the Edinburgh Marathon, with a total age of 397 years! If they can do it, so can we! Watch for them in their bright yellow turbans and running gear. They'll be running in support of Guru Gubind Singh Children's Foundation.
Anthony Forsyth. Now here's a lad who liked his pints and pork pies a bit too much. By May 2003, the affable pastor from Maidstone had 5 children, and had ballooned to 245lbs:
"I was pastoring a small church. I was supposed to set an example to the flock, yet here I was a very real example of the fruit of gluttony and a lack of self-control—something had to give. So I told my wife we'd have to forgo an anniversary meal out and I started my quest to lose weight... again!"
Determined to turn his life around, he took to running and the rest is history. This June, at a svelt 152lbs, Anthony unleashed his previously submerged talents to WIN the North Downs 30k. That's right, he won the race outright, he also ran a 33:20 10k this year, and now has a wager with Waterfront Marathon organizers that they'll refund half his travel expenses if he finishes under 2 hours 25 minutes, and all of them if he comes home in under 2:21—a time most of the elite Canadian guys won't match! If Anthony can do it, so can you!
See Anthony's moving and compelling, full story on www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.
RW UK contest winners, James Rodger and Steve Bryant. Thanks to Canadian Affair, more than 5,000 Brits got a chance to enter a contest on www.runnersworld.co.uk, to win a trip for two to Toronto Waterfront. It was the central feature of STWMs integrated ad campaign in the UK this Spring, that included RW UK magazine ads, and booths at London and Edinburgh Marathons. James and Steve, regular middle-of-the-packers from Cambridgeshire, were the jammy sods who won, and are "looking forward to the sightseeing, the CN Tower, Niagara Falls and a few pints", as well as the marathon.
"We have also managed to get tickets to see the Rolling Stones on the Monday after the race (probably will feel the same age as them). Can't wait to get to Toronto!"
Whether it's the British sense of humour, or the colourful characters and "nutters" amongst them, we're certainly glad to have them, and want to extend a special T.O. welcome to all our international visitors—from the UK, USA, and more than 20 countries around the globe.