Aug 21 2025
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Rwandan Marathoner Nyirarukundo to Race TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By | Announcement, Athletes, Canadian Athlete Announcements | No Comments

By Paul Gains

Salome Nyirarukundo has made an extraordinary impact on the Canadian road race scene since her arrival from Rwanda seven years ago most recently with a victory at the 2025 Under Armour Toronto 10km.

Now, this Ottawa resident turns her attention to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, October 19.

This will be her first marathon since 2019 when she finished 4th in the Ottawa Marathon with a time of 2:30:44. The only other marathon she has run was the 2018 Montreal Marathon – a race she won in 2:28:05.

“It’s been three or four years that I have been hoping to do the Toronto Waterfront Marathon,” she admits, “because it is a big race, of course.  But the timing was difficult, and I got injured and couldn’t participate. This year is a good moment for me to see what I can do.

“I am, to be honest, always really excited to come to Toronto because I think I have a good connection with Toronto fans. In past years when I have been running I have had such a good time. I have run the Toronto 10k three years. I think it will help a little bit.”

In addition to her 2025 victory in the Under Armour Toronto 10km she finished 2nd in both the 2024 and 2023 editions of the event which, like the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, is part of the Canada Running Series. The 10k race traverses the shores of Lake Ontario and makes up a large chunk of the marathon course. This, she expects, will be helpful come October 19.

Nyirarukundo is still just 27-years-old, a quite astonishing fact considering she competed in the 10,000m at the 2016 Olympic Games for her native Rwanda. In fact, she remains the Rwandan national record holder in the 5,000m (15:34.91), 10,000m (31:45.82) and the half marathon (1:08:48). The latter is faster than Andrea Seccafien’s Canadian record of 1:09:38.

As a teenager living in Rwanda’s capital of Kigali she showed great promise.  The Dutch based sports management company, Global Sports Communications, took her on and from 2017 to 2018 she trained in Kaptagat, Kenya at the same camp as the legendary Eliud Kipchoge. The Kenyan superstar is a GSC client.

At the time Salome spoke only a little English and so her interaction with him was limited. She remembers him as being quiet and humble even taking his turn in handling camp cleaning and cooking duties despite his status.

Since coming to Canada she has been working as a personal care worker for two hospitals. Although she is grateful for employment it is clear she would like to devote more time to training.

“Unfortunately, I am not in the same situation as before,” she explains. “When I did 1:08:48 I

was training full-time morning and evening.  Now I am doing two jobs and then training. I can’t say I will do the same thing as I did in the past. There is a possibility.

“I am really confident in myself that I can do better and better. Now I have started to participate in the national 10km road race championships and performed well. That shows me I can still do what I did in the past.”

She crossed the finish line 4th at the 2025 Canadian 10km championships one place ahead of former Canadian marathon record holder Lanni Marchant. It is the exploits of the leading Canadian marathoners like Natasha Wodak and Malindi Elmore, who are competing well into their forties, who have inspired her.

“This year because I started to train for the marathon I am doing between 100km to 130km,” she reveals. “And actually, Natasha Wodak is the one who really inspired me. Because last year Wodak was number one (in Canada) and I was going to quit.

“And when I see Rachel Hannah also, they are such good runners, and I thought ‘if they can do it I can do it’. They are very strong. They inspired me to get strong and keep going.”

Hannah, the 2015 Pan American Games marathon bronze medalist, closely followed Nyirarukundo in each of the past three Toronto 10km and they have struck up a friendship. Hannah drove out to Eastern Ontario for the weekend in mid-August and the two met up for a 38km training session in Plantagenet, Ontario.

While she claims her training is going well shift work, perhaps, is not the best preparation for a marathon buildup but Nyirarukundo has learned to adapt with the help of her Ottawa Lions coach Ray Dupuis.

“Some times l wake up at 4:00 a.m. and go and run 15km or 10km then go to work at 6:00 am,” she says.  “Then after work, if l don’t have second shift, l run again.  It is not really easy but l have to do it in order to support myself and my siblings back home.

“I am the oldest and my dad passed way when we were younger. l am mother and father for them and l love them so much. Without them l could not be able do what am doing now.”

Life in Rwanda can be much more complicated. Amongst the expenses she handles for her two brothers and two sisters are their school fees. They still live in the Rutsiro district of Rwanda which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo. Recently the two countries signed an agreement to end armed conflict.

“It’s really hard. I am always exhausted but running is my passion but at the same time I have to work afterwards,” Nyirarukundo declares. “I know it’s not the same as the person who is just training. I am hoping one day I will maybe working part-time and training full-time. I know myself I am always confident. When you have done it before you maybe can do it a second time.”

As she completes the training for her TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon debut she admits she  would like to run somewhere under 2:30. That goal remains firm. Yet, she has figured out a way to enjoy another passion.

“I don’t know how to swim but I like to go outdoor camping,” she says with a laugh. “I never did this before in my own country. When I did it here it’s very nice – nature. This year I am going to Prince Edward Island. I will camp there one week at the end of August.”

One day she hopes to represent Canada. No one can doubt she has that potential with the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon providing an important stepping stone.

Aug 14 2025
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Olympic Steeplechaser John Gay Commits To TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By | Announcement, Athletes, Canadian Athlete Announcements | No Comments

By Paul Gains

Canada’s top marathoners have typically graduated from running on the track to the roads and the latest to do so is steeplechaser John Gay who marks his debut at the upcoming TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, October 19.

Unlike his fellow Olympian, Ben Flanagan, who announced this week he too will debut in Toronto Waterfront, Gay has very little experience on the roads.

That doesn’t seem to bother this 28-year-old native of Kelowna, B.C. who has traditionally run marathon-like training throughout his stellar career.  Indeed, he has represented Canada at the Tokyo Olympics, the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha as well as the 2023 World Cross Country Championships.

“Maybe most distance runners can relate to this, there is something about the marathon that carries such cache,” Gay says from his training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona. “I knew at some point, while I was in my prime, I wanted to take a stab at the distance. It’s an event that has always been very interesting to me.”

Gay ran a personal best 3,000m steeplechase of 8:16.99 to earn a coveted place in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic final. That time ranks him the 4th fastest Canadian ever.  A year later he finished 4th in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK.  But a series of injuries over the following two years was the impetus to make his move to the marathon earlier.

“I struggled a lot the last number of years with injuries that have related pretty directly to steeplechasing,” he explains. “In 2023 I tore my hamstring hurdling. In 2024 I tore my achilles in a (steeplechase) water pit and the wear and tear of a decade plus focusing on the steeplechase seemed to be clashing with my longevity in the sport.

“It was a little bit a ‘now or never’ mentality to be honest. I missed out on the 2024 Olympic team having to end my season with injury for the second year in a row. I decided it was probably the best time to move to a longer event.”

Since October 2024 he has been a member of the Verde Track Club joining Canadian Olympic marathoner Rory Linkletter and Ben Flanagan under the tutelage of coach Jon Green. In August he and his wife, Camille, who works remotely in urban planning, moved to Flagstaff, Arizona where he has Linkletter for a training partner. The popular training site is located at 7,000 feet (2,130m) elevation.

“I have been coming to Flagstaff for a number of years. Early on I was leaning heavily on a lot of great research that Dr Trent Stellingworth through Athletics Canada has put out a lot of protocols for athletes heading up to altitude training camps,” he says.

“I was fortunate that when I first came to Flagstaff it was with the assistance of Athletics Canada. There was a lot of blood monitoring, heart rate monitoring, oxygen level monitoring. That established a really good baseline of knowledge for me so with every successive training camp I have been able to build off that knowledge. The more time you spend at high elevation the easier I find it gets to return every subsequent trip so at this point in my career it’s pretty much ‘plug and play’.”

While his road race experience is limited to the 2025 Houston Half Marathon where he ran an unexceptional 65:05 his training under former coach, University of British Columbia’s Chris Johnson, had incorporated modern training theory.

“The buzzword over the last couple of years of course has been ‘threshold training’. That’s something I have been doing for the last number of years,” he reveals. “Those high-volume sessions where you might be logging anywhere from ten to fifteen miles worth of decent quality aerobic work split across a couple of sessions.

“I think that gave me a decent base and gave me the confidence I could handle fairly high-volume weeks pushing up into the 180 -190kms a week. And then from there it’s been a matter of layering on specificity of the marathon. Being my first (Toronto Waterfront) is a bit of a venture into the unknown.”

The transition to marathoning then should be addressed and greatly enhanc ed by his altitude training alongside the experienced Linkletter. And because of his history of injuries he says he has now incorporated essential elements such as recovery, stretching and nutrition into his daily routine.

For more than five years he received funding from Athletics Canada but lost that income after a disappointing couple of years.

“I failed to produce performance results for a couple of years so understandably they let me go and I agree with that decision on their part,” he happily concedes. “I have always worked part time, the last 5 years as club manager for the Vancouver Thunderbirds and recognizing I was moving away from Vancouver I let that job go at the end of the 2024.

“Since that point I have been working for Canadian Running hosting their ‘Shakeout Podcast’ which has been a great addition to my weekly rhythm.  I was really grateful to be tapped on the shoulder by Canadian Running. It has provided a supplementary income stream as well as something to keep me focused and busy outside of training everyday.”

The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon besides being a World Athletics Elite Label race will serve as the 2025 Athletics Canada Marathon Championship. Gay has won two national titles in the steeplechase and another in cross country. Being crowned national marathon champion would be a dream.

“My hope is that this has the potential long and fruitful second chapter in my running career,” is all he will say of his aspirations. “I love the running community, I love the daily work of being out there training and I love racing.”

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Aug 12 2025
0

Canadian Olympian Ben Flanagan To Race TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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By Paul Gains

Earning a place in the 2024 Paris Olympic 5,000m event was a career highlight for Ben Flanagan but as it turned out that success effectively delayed his marathon debut – the distance he believes will ultimately prove to be his best.

The 30-year-old Kitchener, Ontario native will finally take on the marathon October 19 when he lines up for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon – a World Athletics Elite Label race – which doubles as the 2025 Canadian Marathon Championships.

“To be honest I think this has been an overdue transition,” Flanagan says from his current home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. “ A lot of people expected me to make it three or four years ago which I was very much open to.

“At this point it was like ‘ok, what event do I think is going to maximize my chances to make a big move at the Olympics?’ and I always thought the marathon would be my best event. So, I think this was a late move, but, better to do it now three years before [the] LA [Olympics].”

Flanagan ran 13:04.62 indoors to qualify for the Paris Olympics a 5,000m time only two Canadians have bettered. But the roads have been his bread and butter.

After winning the 2018 NCAA 10,000m title for the University of Michigan he went on to win the famed Falmouth Road Race three times in addition to earning three Canadian 10km titles one of which, it so happens, was run along the Toronto Waterfront in 2021. That will be familiar when he runs the marathon.

In June 2024 he and his wife, Hannah, relocated to Cape Cod where her parents live. The move, the welcoming of a baby daughter – Nora Is now 4 months old – weren’t the only changes to Flanagan’s life. After years of training under former Michigan coach Ron Warhurst and a spell as a member of the Boston Reebok Track Club he sought the help of Jon Green who also coaches fellow Canadian Olympians Rory Linkletter and John Gay in the Verde Track Club.

While Green is permanently located in Flagstaff, Arizona the pair communicate via phone and text. Precious personal time is spent at races or when Green, a Massachusetts native, returns to visit family.

Flanagan is training solo but has the option of meeting up with Boston-based athletes should he wish. On long runs he is often accompanied by his father-in-law on a bike who carries bottles. Efforts to perfect the mechanics of fuelling during races are ongoing.

“The biggest change has been the (training) volume really. That’s always been a challenge for me.,” he reveals. “I have had a really hard time, historically, building volume without getting hurt. It’s probably been one of my most challenging areas of development. I tend to thrive on lower volume than others do.”

The focus on quality training miles has not hurt his results on the roads. Indeed, he can point to personal bests of 28:10 in the 10km and 61:00 in the half marathon. Only Canadian marathon record holder Cam Levins has run faster at the latter distance. Although they are friendly it is Rory Linkletter to whom Flanagan has turned for marathon advice.

“Rory and I were roommates at a lot of the training camps in Spain and we were roommates in Paris [Olympics] and now we have the same coach,” Flanagan explains. “Every time we step on the line we want to beat each other but we’re not afraid of being transparent with each other in terms of what we are doing; what’s worked and what hasn’t.

“He’s probably the guy I learned the most from and then Jon. One of the things that I like about Jon is he’s young, he’s the same age as me. But despite that he has a lot of extensive experience with a lot of different marathoners. The benefit of being in ‘Flag you are around the newest trends all the time. He is always up to date with everything.”

As he gets in his 140 kilometres a week Flanagan acknowledges the change in lifestyle, being a parent, means he must be effective in time management. When Hannah needs a break or is working with her mother’s children’s clothing store in Falmouth, Flanagan is at the ready.

“We have two dogs as well,” Flanagan reveals with a laugh. “Between looking after the dogs the baby and, my wife and I taking care of our own situations, it’s jam packed. We are never looking to kill time to be honest.

“I’m very happy with my situation in life: with running a huge part of my life but not being the same as it used to be where it was only about running.”

Qualifying for the 2024 Olympic meant Flanagan was able to extend his two-year contract with On Running until 2028. This has allowed him to be in a better position to prepare going forward. The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is the launching pad for the marathon career he has always thought about.

“The biggest goal is to walk away from [Toronto Waterfront] feeling like having a positive experience, making as few mistakes as possible and learning from the mistakes I do make and feeling I can go faster in the next one,” he declares.

“My plan is to take it relatively conservative. I want to make sure I get to 30km and feel I have a lot more in the tank I don’t want to get myself into place I haven’t been before too early. That’s the main goal.”

The Canadian Championship is a huge enticement. Besides the aforementioned three 10km titles he also has won national gold in the 5km road race and at 5,000m on the track. Winning another in the marathon would be special.

“It all comes down to LA now,” he says of the ultimate target he has set for himself. “If I want to make that team in 2028 it’s not unreasonable to think I am going to have to be a 2:06, 2:05 marathoner. So I am just trying not to chase it all at once; just get the first one in, feel good about it, then build off that and then hopefully it will come with a Canadian championship. It’s a realistic goal.”

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Jul 16 2025
0

TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Unveils 2025 Medal Celebrating Iconic Graffiti Alley on the Heels of Record-Breaking Early Sell-Out

By | Announcement, Medal Reveal, Races | No Comments

TORONTO, ON (July 16, 2025) — Canada Running Series unveiled the bold and vibrant 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon medal last night at STACKT Market, marking another milestone for Toronto’s premier running event.

This year’s medal design pays tribute to the city’s renowned Graffiti Alley, capturing the energy of Toronto’s dynamic street art culture. The medal was designed by Toronto-based graffiti artist Durothethird, known for his colourful and community-inspired work, in collaboration with Canada Running Series’ Inge Johnson.

The evening kicked off with a community run from Stackt Market to Queen West’s Graffiti Alley and back, followed by a live art activation by @durothethird and the official medal reveal. To access photos of the 2025 medal and event, click here

“TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon race weekend not only brings the world to Toronto, but showcases our vibrant city to the world,” said Charlotte Brookes, National Event Director, Canada Running Series. “The 2025 design highlights the dynamic streets that inspire and challenge over 30,000 participants each October. We’re thrilled to celebrate Toronto’s creative spirit through this year’s medal.”

This year’s race is already record-breaking: both the marathon and half marathon distances are completely sold out, the earliest in event history, and the TCS Charity Challenge includes more than 150 official charity partners, the highest number ever at this point in the season.

This October 17 to 19, 2025, the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon will welcome more than 100,000 athletes, enthusiasts and supporters. The event has raised over $53 million for Canadian charities since 2003, and generated $50.3 million in economic impact for the City of Toronto last year, further cementing its reputation as one of Canada’s largest and most impactful marathons.

“We’re so proud of our continued partnership with Canada Running Series, and excited to once again celebrate Toronto and its incredible community of runners,” said Soumen Roy, Executive Director and Country Head, Canada, TCS. “This year’s medal beautifully honours Toronto’s culture and is a symbol of community and creativity. Graffiti Alley turns public space into a canvas for connection, bringing people together. The 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is already making history and we can’t wait to see what race weekend brings!”

Participants can expect to pass through the Queen West neighbourhood, home to graffiti alley, on race day, making this year’s medal a unique, lasting symbol of their journey through Toronto’s iconic streets during what is sure to be a world-class weekend.

Join the excitement this fall:

 

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About the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada’s premier running event and the grand finale of the Canada Running Series (CRS). 2025 will be the 36th edition of the event. Since 2017, the race has served as the Athletics Canada national marathon championship race and has doubled as the Olympic trials. Using innovation and organization as guiding principles, Canada Running Series stages great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians to recreational and charity participants. With a mission of “building community through the sport of running,” CRS is committed to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process. To learn more about the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, visit www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com. 

About Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is a digital transformation and technology partner of choice for industry-leading organizations worldwide. Since its inception in 1968, TCS has upheld the highest standards of innovation, engineering excellence and customer service. Rooted in the heritage of the Tata Group, TCS is focused on creating long term value for its clients, its investors, its employees, and the community at large. With a highly skilled workforce of over 607,000 consultants in 55 countries and 180 service delivery centres across the world, the company has been recognized as a top employer in six continents. With the ability to rapidly apply and scale new technologies, the company has built long term partnerships with its clients – helping them emerge as perpetually adaptive enterprises. Many of these relationships have endured into decades and navigated every technology cycle, from mainframes in the 1970s to Artificial Intelligence today. TCS sponsors 14 of the world’s most prestigious marathons and endurance events, including the TCS New York City Marathon, TCS London Marathon and TCS Sydney Marathon with a focus on promoting health, sustainability, and community empowerment. TCS generated consolidated revenues of US $30 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.  For more information, visit www.tcs.com 

Media Contact:

Emma Hunt

Director of Strategic & Business Communications, Sutherland Corp. 

emma@sutherlandcorp.ca

Apr 10 2025
0

TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Generates $50.3M in Local Economic Impact, Uniting Global Runners

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TORONTO, ON (April 10, 2025) – The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is pleased to announce their 2024 Economic Impact Study, which reinforces the role of major events in positioning Toronto as a world-class city and a hub of homegrown tourism. The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon generated $50.3 million in economic impact for the City of Toronto, $56.3 million in Ontario economic activity, and welcomed tens of thousands of visitors from across Canada and around the world.

The race is Canada’s largest marathon, and highlights how Canada’s identity as a global community is reflected in its local events by fostering inclusivity, collaboration, and sustainability initiatives. With over 30,000 participants and 150,000 spectators, the race weekend filled hotels, restaurants, and businesses across the city, proving that major Canadian events remain a powerful draw for both domestic and international travelers. The marathon contributed $23.2 million to the city’s GDP and supported 349 jobs in 2024 alone, a testament to the lasting impact of investing in events that celebrate our communities. 

“Canada has always been a meeting place of cultures, and our marathon embodies that spirit through the strong community built by our participants. Racers from over 70 countries come together bringing their stories, families, and energy to our city, all united in the spirit of sport and philanthropy” said Charlotte Brookes, Canada Running Series. “This event is proof that local tourism is thriving, and that our global connections strengthen us at home.”

2024’s marathon brought in over 66,000 out-of-town visitors, accounting for nearly one tenth of the total tourism in Toronto that month, with 60% indicating the event as the sole reason for their travel. With 83% of visitors staying overnight, and aggregate visitor spending reaching $30 million, the event bolsters local businesses, accommodations, restaurants and more with the economic boost. 

“As a proud partner of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, we are thrilled to see the positive economic benefits this race has on the city,” said Soumen Roy, Executive Director and Country Head, Canada, TCS. “The impact that this marathon has made is a testament to the power of sport in uniting communities and fueling growth; showcasing what can be achieved when we come together.”

The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is a symbol of unity and purpose beyond its economic impact. In 2024, it raised $2.5 million for local charities, achieved Evergreen Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport for its sustainability efforts, upheld its World Athletics Elite Label status and became Canada’s largest marathon, securing its place among the top marathons in the world. The world class race energizes and unites the city through sport every year, bringing together not just the running community, but a global one as well. As Canada continues to define its place on the global stage, events like the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon remind us that our strength lies in our diversity, and our economy flourishes when we celebrate it. 

The 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, set to take place October 18-19, has already seen record numbers in early registration with projections for the highest race attendance yet. The 2025 race is gearing up for even bigger and better, with race organizers Canada Running Series taking more strategic steps to keep the community moving. With organizers working toward expanded public transportation options for participants and enhancing race accessibility, this year’s record numbers are sure to bring the community together and make an even greater economic impact on the region. 

See how the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is contributing to Toronto’s local economy in the full 2024 Economic Impact Report. 

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About the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada’s premier running event and the grand finale of the Canada Running Series (CRS). It celebrated its 35th edition in 2024. Since 2017, the race has served as the Athletics Canada national marathon championship race and has doubled as the Olympic trials. Using innovation and organization as guiding principles, Canada Running Series stages great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians to recreational and charity participants. With a mission of “building community through the sport of running,” CRS is committed to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process. To learn more about the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, visit www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com. 

About Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) is a digital transformation and technology partner of choice for industry-leading organizations worldwide. Since its inception in 1968, TCS has upheld the highest standards of innovation, engineering excellence and customer service. Rooted in the heritage of the Tata Group, TCS is focused on creating long term value for its clients, its investors, its employees, and the community at large. With a highly skilled workforce of over 607,000 consultants in 55 countries and 180 service delivery centres across the world, the company has been recognized as a top employer in six continents. With the ability to rapidly apply and scale new technologies, the company has built long term partnerships with its clients – helping them emerge as perpetually adaptive enterprises. Many of these relationships have endured into decades and navigated every technology cycle, from mainframes in the 1970s to Artificial Intelligence today. TCS sponsors 14 of the world’s most prestigious marathons and endurance events, including the TCS New York City Marathon, TCS London Marathon and TCS Sydney Marathon with a focus on promoting health, sustainability, and community empowerment. TCS generated consolidated revenues of US $30 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.  For more information, visit www.tcs.com 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Laurel Bury 

Sutherland Corporation

laurel@sutherlandcorp.ca

Mar 05 2025
0

2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Achieves Evergreen Certification for Sustainability Excellence

By | Announcement, Sustainability | No Comments

TORONTO, ON (March 5, 2025) – The 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon has officially been awarded Evergreen Certification by the Council for Responsible Sport for the second time, reflecting the event’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and its leadership in sustainable race management. This milestone places Canada’s largest marathon in the same sustainability category as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, which is widely recognized for its environmental certifications and green initiatives. 

As part of the event’s growing list of environmental initiatives, the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon has achieved zero waste status, with over 90% of event-related waste diverted from landfill. To achieve this goal, race organizers ensured waste reduction and diversion measures were in place through all stages of race planning and implementation, including sending almost 4,000 kg of organic waste to a commercial composting facility to ensure its proper disposal.  Additionally, nearly 2,000 kg of discarded clothing was donated to local charities, while 3,769 kg of leftover food was redirected to local food programs to help address local food insecurity. The marathon also transformed 150 kg of heat sheets into a park bench through their partnership with Green Event Ninjas and GreenWell Plastics. The bench will be donated to a local community space for use by the public.  

“Canada Running Series is dedicated to putting on premier running events that leave a meaningful impact beyond race day, and our hope is that with this Evergreen Certification, the marathon can set a benchmark for responsible event management while demonstrating that large-scale races can be both high-performance and low-impact,” said Charlotte Brookes, Race Director of Canada Running Series. 

Environmentally conscious decisions are carefully considered through all facets of the event, from selecting sustainable venues, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place to host the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Expo, down to the implementation of policies banning all single-use plastic water bottles. The event sourced local produce for the 5K race, such as apples from an Ontario-based farm in Newcastle, to provide participants with fresh, locally grown food post-race. A plogging event was also held along the Martin Goodman Trail ahead of the marathon in partnership with Trans Canada Trail, directly combining running with environmental stewardship to create lasting impacts beyond the race itself. 

The marathon’s 2024 edition marked the introduction of the Green Bib Program, allowing participants to forgo receiving a race shirt and medal in favor of a donation to sustainability focused charities. In its inaugural year, 6.7% of participants opted in, raising over $20,000 for Trees for Life and Trans Canada Trail through the Green Bib Program, and contributing to the $72,000 raised across all Canada Running Series races in 2024.

“Sustainability has always been a major focus for TCS, and we are proud to work with Canada Running Series to implement innovative solutions to create a greener event,” said Soumen Roy, Executive Director and Country Head, TCS Canada. “When we became the title sponsor of the event, we pledged 32,000 person-hours to set a new standard for environmentally responsible racing. It has been incredible to witness how much the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon has been able to accomplish on this front.”

“Sustainability is just one way we aim to show the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon’s broader commitment to positive community impact, and we are proud to lead the way in environmental responsibility while also championing inclusivity and engagement in sport,” continued Brookes. “The Women’s Training Program and Women’s Panel continue to promote gender equity in the sport, and our Athletes With Disabilities (AWD) Program works toward accessibility for all. We are dedicated to making a meaningful difference for both runners and the city we call home.”

As the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to balancing elite competition with environmental and social responsibility. With the 2024 Evergreen Certification now secured, race organizers look ahead to further innovations that will enhance sustainability, inclusivity, and community engagement in the years to come. This year’s event weekend will take place October 18-19, 2025.

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About the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada’s premier running event and the grand finale of the Canada Running Series (CRS). It celebrated its 35th edition in 2024. Since 2017, the race has served as the Athletics Canada national marathon championship race and has doubled as the Olympic trials. Using innovation and organization as guiding principles, Canada Running Series stages great experiences for runners of all levels, from Canadian Olympians to recreational and charity participants. With a mission of “building community through the sport of running,” CRS is committed to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process. 

To learn more about the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, visit www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com. 

About Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

Tata Consultancy Services is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organization that has been partnering with many of the world’s largest businesses in their transformation journeys for over 65 years. Its consulting-led, cognitive powered, portfolio of business, technology and engineering services and solutions is delivered through its unique Location Independent Agile™ delivery model, recognized as a benchmark of excellence in software development. 

As part of the Tata group, India’s largest multinational business group, TCS has over 607,000 of the world’s best-trained consultants in 55 countries. The company generated consolidated revenues of US $29 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and is listed on the BSE and NSE in India. TCS’ proactive stance on climate change and award-winning work with communities across the world have earned it a place in leading sustainability indices such as the mSCI Global Sustainability Index and the FTSE4Good Emerging Index. For more information, visit www.tcs.com

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Laurel Bury, Sutherland Corporation

laurel@sutherlandcorp.ca

Sep 29 2024
0

Ethiopian Marathon Star Commits to TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By | Announcement, Athletes | No Comments

By Paul Gains

Abdi Fufa will compete in the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon October 20th joining a large contingent of fellow Ethiopians on the trans Atlantic flight. Once again this is a World Athletics Elite Label race.

The 28 year-old has a personal best of 2:05:57 from the 2021 Sienna Marathon a time that will catch the attention of his competitors and perhaps cast him as a race favourite amongst the field.

More recently he finished 4th in the 2024 Dubai Marathon with a solid clocking of 2:06:23. It is no surprise, then, that Abdi aims to be on the Toronto Waterfront Marathon podium.

“My expectation in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon is to see myself on the podium,” he declares. “My (long term) goal is running well to support my family.”

Although he is married Abdi and his wife do not yet have children. In a country where the per capita annual income is a little over $1,000 the lure of Toronto Waterfront Marathon prize money – $20,000 to the winner – is immense.

The latest result in Dubai was a welcome sign that his injuries are behind him. Indeed, he didn’t compete at all in 2023.

“I had a calf injury which took me a long time to recover from,” he reveals. “But then I had continuous massage therapy and now I feel better.”

Abdi like many others grew up on a farm with his five brothers and four sisters. An elder brother enjoyed some success as a distance runner and the young Abdi took notice.

“My elder brother Imane Fufa was a good 10,000m runner and he is the one who inspired me,” he explains. “I saw him running during my childhood and so I started to run.”

After coming to the attention of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation he was selected to represent his country at the 2019 World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark where he finished 15th. As the third Ethiopian finisher he helped Ethiopia to the team bronze medal.

These days he lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, and for the past three years has been one of about thirty elite marathon runners training under legendary coach Gemedu Dedefo whose most notable charges are Tigest Assefa and Tamirat Tola.

Tigest smashed the women’s world record with a stunning 2:11:53 a year ago – before taking the Olympic silver medal in Paris – while Tamirat Tola, a last minute addition to the Ethiopian Olympic team, won the gold medal in the Paris Olympics.

It is Tamirat whose influence has proven most impactful upon Abdi. Striking Olympic gold in Paris and before that the 2022 world championship gold as he did in Eugene, Oregon led to grand celebrations amongst the group. The athletes speak of the respect and camaraderie amongst themselves.

Abdi Fufa says Tamirat’s success and the closeness “that we have in the team makes us have a team sprit. We saw Tamirat Tola’s achievement is because of his hard work and patience.”

The group will meet three times a week but each athlete follows a seven days a week program. The commitment is a constant element in Ethiopia’s success Abdi hopes to follow in the success of Tamirat Tola and continue to improve. Perhaps one day he can achieve success at the Olympics and World Championships and add to coach Gemedu’s list of exceptional athletes. The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is the next step in that journey.

Sep 09 2024
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Natasha Wodak Commits to TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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By Paul Gains

Two-time Canadian Olympian Natasha Wodak has committed to racing the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, October 20th.

The Vancouver native finished 13th in the Tokyo Olympics and also holds the Canadian marathon record of 2:23:12. Toronto Waterfront Marathon doubles as a World Athletics Elite Label Race and the 2024 Canadian Marathon Championship, still, her late decision caught many aficionados by surprise.

“I thought ‘why don’t I go run the Canadian Marathon Championships in Toronto?’ I haven’t been there in eleven years and that is where I started this marathon journey,” the Asics sponsored athlete says.

“It’s an Asics event, I am the Canadian record holder, I haven’t won the Canadian Marathon Championship’ I just really wanted to run in my country surrounded by friends and family. When I started thinking about it, it made me happy.”

Happiness with her running she insists is still a primary motivator as she continues her world-class racing at the age of 42. It has been a rough year for her. Four attempts at achieving the 2024 Olympic standards came up short due to factors beyond her control.

Her preparations for the 2023 London Marathon went perfectly but she got sick the week before and cancelled her flight the very day she was to travel. Then, another excellent training block gave her confidence that she could break her national record at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest – her fourth time representing Canada at a World Athletics Championship. Race temperatures reached 28c though, and she finished 15th. Nobody ran particularly fast.

A hamstring strain two weeks before January’s Houston Marathon impacted her result there and she struggled home 9th in 2:28:42. Then, a 12th place finish in Hamburg this past April led to her conceding that a third Olympic appearance was not possible. Gravely disappointed at first, she eventually saw the positives thanks to her friends and family.

“The Olympics is special for a reason because it is very hard to get there!” Wodak now says, “I didn’t make it this time around. I had a fun journey trying to get there and other doors are open and I got to do the CBC broadcast for the Women’s Olympic marathon which was an amazing opportunity. I loved doing that.

“I find myself in a really good spot, leading into the fall, and with going into Toronto Waterfront – which I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise.

Originally, she contemplated going for the national half marathon record at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon but then consulted with her coach Trent Stellingwerf. Despite her failure to achieve the Olympic standard she has maintained a high level of fitness, a fact which Stellingwerf emphasized when she wondered aloud if a shortened marathon build might indeed work.

Winning a national championship offers generous World Athletics points – useful in qualifying for next year’s World Championships – which was another factor in her decision.

“What we are thinking is that if I win and run decently in Toronto it’s really good points and I don’t need to run the standard. I then could possibly run a marathon in Japan in early March,” she reasons.

Wodak is a very sociable individual and enjoys spending time with friends and family when she is not piling on the mileage. She has also been doing some coaching and whenever possible joins her twelve or so charges for their workouts. Another passion is for her volunteer work at the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association.

“I go on Friday mornings. The shelter has at the moment probably 30 cats, so my job is to go in with other volunteers, we feed the cats, we clean their cages, we clean the litter box, we do laundry, do dishes and take the garbage out,” she reveals. “When we have time left over we get to snuggle the cats to help socialize them which, obviously, is our favourite part.

“It is very sad because there are so many cats that we have taken from not good situations and they are scared and sad and we just want to find them homes. People are getting cats from breeders instead of rescuing. I try to encourage people to ‘adopt don’t shop’ and rescue.” Wodak practices what she preaches. Both her cats are rescues.

At the age of 42 she has become aware that her marathon success serves as inspiration to other women who might think of retiring from competition in their mid-thirties. When asked about this she offers a humble smile.

“Malindi and I have talked about this and we just run,” she says, referring to 44 year old Malindi Elmore a fellow Olympian. “We don’t think about our age and we are loving it. And the fact that that is inspiring to the younger generation is really cool.

“And it’s not lost on me that we are setting an example of what can be done in your forties and showing women you don’t need to retire from the sport in your mid-thirties as it used to be done. Sometimes I do feel like I am running out of time to do all the things I want to do while I am still fast. I don’t know when the shoe is going to drop and I am going to slow down. I want to get the most out of myself while I can still.”

Wodak is due another spectacular marathon performance. Organisers of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon join her in hoping it comes October 20th on the streets of Canada’s largest city.

Aug 27 2024
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WAGANESH MEKASHA RETURNS TO TCS TORONTO WATERFRONT MARATHON

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By Paul Gains

Ethiopian marathon star Waganesh Mekasha has unfinished business at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and returns with the intent of achieving victory in this World Athletics Elite Label Race, October 20th.

A year ago she went toe to toe with her compatriot Buze Diriba finishing one second behind Buze’s winning time of 2:23:11. Second place on that occasion was bittersweet.

“Yes it is frustrating to lose by a second,” she admits. “I prepared well and wanted to take the course record. Unfortunately it did not happen. I thought if we had a strong pacemaker I would win that race because at 35km I was so comfortable.

“I had to go all out and sprint to make the podium. If the girls helped me I wanted to push from 35 km after the pacer dropped out.”

Waganesh has known Buze since they were both members of the Ethiopian junior team competing at the 2011 World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain. On that occasion Waganesh finished 4th overall to help her country win the gold medal while Buze was 10th.

“We are not friends and we do not train together; but we see each other in different training locations,” Waganesh says of their relationship.

Aside from missing out on the $20,000 first place prize money – she collected $10,000 for second – Waganesh’s recollections of her initial visit to Toronto are all positive.

“Toronto is such a beautiful city,” she declares. “The crowds are amazing and we had a beautiful racing experience.

“The race was fantastic but the pacers did not do as we needed. After 35k I wanted to push but the (other two) ladies did not help. That’s why we three had to finish in a sprint.”

The third-place finisher on the day was another Ethiopian, Afera Godfay, who finished in 2:23:15. The four seconds separating the top 3 was an anomaly in marathon racing and made for a dramatic finish although, clearly, Waganesh has another perspective.

Waganesh was able to explore downtown Toronto on her first visit albeit while keeping close to her hotel so as not to expend unnecessary energy. A shopping excursion to a nearby mall was one outing she prioritized – to buy clothes for her children.

“I did go shopping to buy clothes for my children. And I did see my friends (Canadian residents),” she confirms.

Like most Ethiopian runners she runs to help support her family which is comprised of her two young children, Benjamin, 7, and Amen, 4 and her husband, Anwar Arega.

“I want to give them a better opportunity,” Waganesh explains. “But I do not encourage them to be a runner. I want them to do what they enjoy.

“My husband is always on my side. He drives me to training, cooks me food and, if necessary, he acts as my physio. Generally he is always there to help me push beyond my limit.”

Along with her training partners and under guidance of Coach Nigatu Worku, she has already begun her buildup for Toronto Waterfront. Her personal best marathon remains the 2:22:45 she ran at the 2019 Dubai Marathon. Could this be the year she surpasses it?

Experience counts immensely in marathon racing and at the age of 32 she has plenty. On her first visit to Canada she was the 2023 Ottawa Marathon champion. More recently, on February 25th of this year, she won the Osaka Marathon in 2:24:20.

Like many athletes who have raced Toronto Waterfront she continues to eye the course record of 2:22:16 set by Kenya’s Magdalyne Masai in 2019.

“I know the course now and want to come back stronger,” she declares. “If things go as I wish and, if we have a strong pacemaker, I will do my best to break the course record and run fast and win the race. I do believe i will run faster than that (record).”

Asked about her running future she is clear: “Age is a number, I do believe I will have another ten years ahead.”

Aug 20 2024
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Canadian Championship Lures Leslie Sexton to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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By Paul Gains

Adding to her growing list of Canadian championship titles is an objective when Leslie Sexton returns to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, October 20.

Once again, the World Athletics Elite Label race doubles as the 2024 Athletics Canada National Marathon Championship.

Sexton was crowned national marathon champion here in 2017, the year she also finished 5th overall in the women’s category behind three Ethiopians and a Kenyan – all experienced international runners.  And, she has a handful of national titles at shorter distances on both the roads and track.

The importance of racing the national marathon championships is even greater now as she explains.

“Since World Athletics has switched to this points ranking system it’s even more important than before,” the 37 year old declares. “Now the bonus points from a national championship are significant across all events and in the marathon, where you might only get two or three attempts in a cycle, it’s an important consideration in qualifying for the world championships in Tokyo next year.”

Sexton represented Canada at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon finishing a credible 13th place in the marathon (2:28:52). More recently she was a member of the Canadian team at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in Beograd, Serbia. That latter event came on the heels of her personal best marathon performance at the 2024 Houston Marathon.

In the Texas city she finished 8th in a world class field, racing to a clocking of 2:28:14, although missing the Olympic standard of 2:26:50 made her achievement bittersweet.

“I think I went through halfway in about 1:13:15,” she remembers. “So I went there with the intention to go for the Olympic standard but I had a bit of a rough patch between 20 and 30km then rallied for a PB in the final 12km. I am happy with the effort that day but it wasn’t what I was looking for. “

Originally from Markham, Ontario, Sexton moved with her coach and partner, Steve Weiler to Vancouver two years ago. Clearly it has had an impact on her running career. Personal bests from 5,000m up to the marathon have since helped rewrite her resume.

“I really like it out here,” she explains. “The weather has been really good for running – I really don’t miss the Ontario winters. I am in a really good spot about a kilometre from Pacific Spirit Park. I run through the trails in there and being able to get there in the winter has been a big plus.

“I am doing some stuff on my own and with my coach Steve, we are starting to form a post collegiate group.  Back in the winter we had four people from our group qualify for the World Cross Country Championships in Serbia. So we did a lot of workouts together. I have been training with Glynis Sim who beat me in the Vancouver Sun Run in the spring; good training partners within my own club.”

Sim won the Sun Run in 32:17 with Sexton a close second in 32:25. It’s a race Sexton won in both 2022 and 2023. The pair obviously benefit from their training sessions together. Occasionally she also goes for easy runs with Canadian marathon record holder and two-time Olympian Natasha Wodak, who is now 42 years of age.

As Wodak and fellow B.C. resident Malindi Elmore, 44, have proven, world-class marathon running is now possible into the 40’s. Their performances have served as inspiration for Sexton as she contemplates her running future.

“Yeah definitely (they are inspirational) and I know that the Australian Sinead Diver was running great times in her 40’s as well,” she confirms. “So definitely it inspires me to keep going. Going into this year my intent was always to be going through to LA in 2028.

“Missing this Olympics was a disappointment but I still have big goals to represent Canada at the Worlds and Olympics in the future and seeing other women do that in their early 40’s gives me confidence I can do that too.”

For now her focus returns to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

“I am still pretty early in the training cycle. This is going to be a shorter buildup than I have done previously. I had some setbacks in July but I am healthy now,” she reveals.

“I will be looking to run a competitive time, something to maximize those Canadian championship points, but not necessarily going for a PB this time. I will have to see how the training goes.”

Then of course there is the thrill of possibly adding yet another national championship gold medal to her collection.