GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon?: Triathlon Forum: Slowtwitch Forums

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GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon?

Jan de Visser

Sep 21, 12 18:14

Post #1 of 12 (731 views)

GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon?	Quote \| Reply

Given the current state of my health I've decided to make 2013 a marathon year. The plan is to do one in spring, and I'm contemplating the 50km Run for the Toad in October.

But first that marathon. The wife's verdict that it has to be local - no road trips. As far as I know, that narrows it down to either Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga (*). Both of these are conveniently scheduled on the same day, May 5th. So date is not an issue :-) Both courses are point-to-point and net downhill, which is good, since the inflated time will contribute to my BQ goal. Pro Toronto is that (at least part of) the course is epic, barreling down Yonge (in my opinion). Pro Mississauga is that the logistics are easier, coming from K/W.

(*) I know about the Waterloo Marathon. However, I prefer to not spend my 3+ hours of pain in complete solitude.

So: what sayeth the GTA/Southern Ontario ST community? Toronto? Mississauga? Is there another one (Boston certified) that's a daytrip from K/W that I missed?

Thanks!

Formerly known as Chipmunk

rlanger

Sep 22, 12 3:01

Post #2 of 12 (695 views)

Re: GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon? [Chipmunk] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I've BQed at Mississauga twice so I have a special place in my heart for it. It is a nice course that goes through some beautiful neighbourhoods, it's small, and there's tons of parking close to the start line. Only slight downside IMO, is that you have to take a shuttle to get back to your car after the race.

If you were not (relatively) local, I'd recommend Toronto for the experience.

OhCanada

Sep 22, 12 4:44

Post #3 of 12 (678 views)

Re: GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon? [Chipmunk] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I've done both. Since you're not from T-dot, I would do Toronto Goodlife. Crowd support in either race is nothing to speak of but, with Goodlife, you can: take the subway back to the start line instead of the shuttle; use the showers at UofT near the finish line; get a nicer finishers medal; go for a nice dinner after in Toronto; your support crew/wife can hang out downtown and shop while you run to the downtown finish line).

TheRhino

Sep 22, 12 4:45

Post #4 of 12 (677 views)

Re: GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon? [Chipmunk] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

It's only another what, 10 mins, past the Hwy 10 exit on the 401 to get over to Yonge? Not sure getting to Sauga will be much easier than Goodlife.

I've only biked the Mississauga course and run the 1/2 at Goodlife but I'd lean towards Goodlife course wise. Running down Yonge is fun, the section down Rosedale Valley is a nice break, and then though the new buildings out at Eastern/DVP and back into downtown is cool.

I'd think about the last 15k of each course and decide based on that maybe, what will be the most motivating stretch?

- Mike
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hillier99

Sep 22, 12 4:50

Post #5 of 12 (670 views)

Re: GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon? [Chipmunk] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I can't speak about your marathon choices, but I highly recommend The Toad. RD's George and Peggy are awesome and it's a great course. If you haven't raced it before, you are missing something special. I can't wait for next weekend!!

Brad

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Autocorrect is my worst enema...

Jan de Visser

Sep 22, 12 8:49

Post #6 of 12 (627 views)

Re: GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon? [hillier99] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

hillier99 wrote:

Did the 25km a couple of years ago. Pretty sure I'll go again next year, just debating if I should go and hammer the 25 or suffer the 50...

Formerly known as Chipmunk

Jan de Visser

Sep 22, 12 8:52

Post #7 of 12 (626 views)

Re: GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon? [Chipmunk] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Thanks for the input people. I think it'll be the Goodlife.

I did however notice that next year's finish isn't going to be at Queen's Park anymore, but down near Ontario Place, I think where the transition area for the Toronto Triathlon Festival is. Doesn't make a lot of difference I guess...

Formerly known as Chipmunk

TheRhino

Sep 22, 12 11:56

Post #8 of 12 (602 views)

Re: GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon? [Chipmunk] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

That's where it was this year too. It's the fall mary that ends at Queens Park I think. May be easiest to have your wife park in Liberty Village and walk back up (10 mins) after race.

- Mike
_______________________________________
BikeCalcFree 1.1 for the iPhone now available on iTunes and it's free!
Calculate speed from power or vice versa using sliders/switches to set weight, position, tires, grade, etc.. Feedback welcome!

ptakeda

Sep 22, 12 15:34

Post #9 of 12 (582 views)

Re: GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon? [TheRhino] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

TheRhino wrote:

That's where it was this year too. It's the fall mary that ends at Queens Park I think. May be easiest to have your wife park in Liberty Village and walk back up (10 mins) after race.

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (October) starts and finishes at City Hall (Nathan Phillips Square)

The Toronto Goodlife Marathon (May) ends at Ontario place which is a lot better than Queens Park as University Avenue is a false flat. Nothing like running up hill to the finish line

I'd rather run the Goodlife marathon than the Mississauga. Nothing beats running down Yonge Street

devashish_paul

Sep 22, 12 20:39

Post #10 of 12 (536 views)

Re: GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon? [Chipmunk] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Chipmunk wrote:

I would think this makes it a lot easier. On a normal day the "gradual uphill" back to Queen's park does not look like anything. At mile 25 of a marathon, it is literally a back breaker. I'll take the finish down at Ontario Place any time (not that I have run this course since back in around 2001). Anyway, you will have a good time. Congrats on committing to this as a goal. Fingers crossed for smooth sailing through the winter!

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john.koch

Sep 23, 12 4:37

Post #11 of 12 (513 views)

Re: GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon? [devashish_paul] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I loved the Queen's Park finish - - especially after the finish line. The trees in the park and the proximity to Hart House make for a pleasant recovery. Last year the marathon finished in the parking lot at Ontario Place. I can understand why they made the change but it makes for a worse post-run experience -- especially if you have to get back to North York to pick up a car. Still the rest of the course beats Mississauga and a whole bunch of other courses hands down.

workinprogress

Sep 23, 12 11:50

Post #12 of 12 (487 views)

Re: GTA peeps: Toronto Goodlife or Mississauga Marathon? [Chipmunk] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Can anyone who has done run for the toad give a brief synopsis of what the loop is like? Hilly? Technical? Fast?

Thanks!