Running Through the Six: A Locals’ Guide to the Underrated Running Haven That Is Toronto – Runner’s World
Running Through the Six: A Locals’ Guide to the Underrated Running Haven That Is Toronto Runner’s World
Local crews on what to see, where to eat, and why Toronto is a world-class running city.
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Every October, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) draws thousands of runners, spectators, and travelers to Ontario’s capital for 26.2 miles (sorry, 42.2 kilometers) mostly along the water. It’s a glorious day on the running calendar, but if you only visit for a weekend and spend the whole time with your eyes set on the finish line, you might miss out on something even better: the city itself.
Toronto is a diverse network of neighborhoods, restaurants, breweries, run crews, and scenic trails that has become a must-visit running hub. However, perhaps due to its residents’ famous modesty, Toronto as a running destination remains relatively hidden right under Americans’ noses. Or above their northern borders, as it were.
Our suggestion: Head up for marathon weekend and give yourself a few extra days to see the city from a local’s shoes. To help fill your itinerary, we asked seven athletes from six crews where to log a few miles, refuel post-long run, and more.
Runner: William Chaupiz, Night Terrors Run Crew
Crew Vibe: What began as a night run adventure series became a full-fledged crew.
Go-To Route: If I had 48 hours to run Toronto, I’d break it into three 12K segments. Start with a run through Rouge Park (Canada’s only urban nature park) to Scarborough Bluffs for epic views of Lake Ontario. Second, run west from Union Station to Trillium Park for some awesome waterfront and skyline views. Third, start in the Junction district, go south to High Park to check out the mini zoo, run through nature trail paths to Queen West, keep running east to pass through Parkdale, and end at Trinity Bellwoods Park.
STWM Moment: My first year as NTRC captain, 2014, was the first time I paced two crew-mates to complete their first full marathons. We started together and pushed through the difficult moments to finish together in four hours. This form of community has stayed with me. I am either supporting or pacing crew-mates during each STWM.
Why Toronto? In my 30 years of living here, I’ve seen a suburban city transform into a modern city that welcomes everyone with open arms. Toronto is an engaging city with a growing multicultural flavor and it’s a place that never sleeps. Alley lanes are constantly being transformed into creative spaces and our city is continuously working toward making parks and nature areas more accessible for everyone.
Runner: Justin Close, Parkdale Roadrunners
Crew Vibe: Parkdale is one of Toronto’s OG run crews.
Go-To Route: Getting lost in High Park. The variety of terrain and entry points is unmatched. I can enter and exit via Bloor, the Waterfront trail, or Roncesvalles and do laps of the 1.8K loop, run fabled segments like “Danny’s Hill,” do some light trail work, and run through the zoo—all while being surrounded by nature.
Postrun Eats: Skyline is my go-to brunch. It’s a classic diner-style restaurant in the heart of Parkdale with homestyle food and some of the best pie in the city.
Why Toronto? We have access to so many one-of-a-kind neighborhoods and green spaces that are ripe for exploration, so you never have to run the same route twice and you’re always bound to experience something new.
Runner: Dan Grant, RunTOBeer
Crew Vibe: RunTOBeer is Toronto’s craft beer running series.
Go-To Route: Toronto has a strong connection to its water. Human activity along the Don River traces back more than 10,000 years and the Toronto Islands were a factor in the site being chosen as the Provincial capital. Trails along the Don, Humber, Lake Ontario, and around the islands are some of the best running paths in the city.
Postrun Libations: Hard to argue with Henderson Brewery. It partnered with RunTOBeer to brew the official beer of STWM and it’s conveniently located on the West Toronto Railpath. The Craft Brasserie in Liberty Village boasts an excellent kitchen and features 120 taps to wash down your brunch. I highly recommend the smoked tofu & pesto sandwich (it’s big!) with home fries.
STWM Moment: Finishing my second STWM in 2016, someone from the crew passed me a beer stein 500 meters from the finish. All the cameras were trained on me. I thought they enjoyed the novelty of my finish until they started angrily shouting to move. I realized I was steps ahead of Ed Whitlock, who was about to become the oldest person to break four hours in the marathon.
Why Toronto? No place celebrates diversity like this place. We have the highest per capita immigration rate in the world. Everything is influenced by the culture our residents bring with them and share with their neighbours. People don’t just live here, they come here to live.
Runner: Heather Gardner, TRIBE
Crew Vibe: TRIBE was one of the first real crews to bring group fitness to Toronto.
Go-To Route: The Martin Goodman Trail is an awesome way to get in your kms while seeing the city from the waterfront. This mostly flat route will take you through parks, Toronto’s manmade beaches, and the new Trillium Park and William G. Davis Trail—a short 2K loop through Toronto’s newest green space and the abandoned Ontario Place amusement park. You’ll catch some of the best views of downtown and the CN Tower.
Postrun drinks: Black Lab Brewing. Founded by Toronto runners, dog-friendly, with lockers for runners and bike racks for cyclists. It’s a great place to meet up before your run and hydrate afterward with two- and four-legged friends.
Runner: Christina Kosar, High Park Rogue Runners
Crew Vibe: Rapidly growing, always free.
Go-To Route: Upper loop of High Park of course! Easily connects to major Toronto run hubs of the Martin Goodman Trail, Humber River and Rail Path!
Postrun eats: Croissants from Cherry Bomb on Roncesvalles. There’s nothing better than eating back all the calories you burned on your long run in one sitting.
STWM Moment: My first training cycle with a crew, 2018. Seeing all the crews out at an iconic Toronto race supporting each other reminds me that I’m part of a community I am proud of. No moment could top when other Rogue Runners were cheering my name in the last 2K. That solidified running as a team sport for me.
Why Toronto? The run scene is alive and well with options for group runs pretty much daily. Big cities might be known as cold places where making connections can be difficult, but the running community in Toronto proves that wrong.
Runners: Chris Hyland and Katie Anderson, Pace and Mind
Crew Vibe: New and growing in popularity across the city.
Go-To Route: The waterfront, bookended by High Park up to Bloor and Don Valley Trail up Bayview Extension following the Beltline across the top to complete the loop. You get the best park in the city, hills, waterfront, and trails all in one. –Chris
Taylor Creek Park. When the weather gets nice, it feels like an escape from the city. It has a concrete path on one side of the creek and a dirt path on the other, and hills and rollers all throughout so I can get the most out of my run. –Katie
Postrun Eats: Liberty Commons in Liberty Village or Evergreen Brick Works on the east side. Both have great food, hopefully with a little grease, lots of carbs, and a cold beer or three after a race or tough workout. –Chris
If I could, I’d go to Bulk Barn after every run to get some snacks. –Katie
STWM Moment: For years, I watched the runners from our corner unit windows in King West. In 2017, I finally joined them. Having my wife at our street corner cheering and meeting family and teammates at the finish line made for a great memory. –Chris
As an homage to my late father, who was also a marathoner, I signed up one week before the 2014 race with zero training. The only memory I have (besides grueling pain, muscle cramps, and black toenails) is coming back west along Eastern Ave at around 39 or 40 kilometers. Katy Perry’s “Roar” was blaring in my ears, the sun was on my face, and tears ran down my cheeks as I realized I was going to finish. There’s nothing quite like the finish line of a marathon to put you in awe of your body’s ability.
STWM is a reminder that anything is possible and of where my love for running began. These are the streets I’ve ran on, cried on, failed on, and succeeded on. I’m proud to get to train and run along the streets of Toronto any day of the week. –Katie
Freelance Writer Cassie Shortsleeve is a skilled freelance writer and editor with almost a decade of experience reporting on all things health, fitness, and travel.