I was lucky enough to win a marathon entry in the Team Running Free lottery.so way back in may after the North face endurance challenge 10km I officially started my marathon training.
I travelled in the night before and booked a hotel a whole other review, the start was very simple to find and same day race pick up was quick . It was a very frosty -1 before the start and the indoor gym to wait in was a great touch.
It is a very low key start line in the parking lot beside the porta potties my mom cheering squad stood beside me until the gun started and high fived me when I crossed the start mat. We headed off down a nice two lane country road made a right and ran along the top of the escarpment. I had a great view across the lake of the CN tower and down the mountain.
Several of the other runners commented on the lovely view as well other than the chilly wind it was a great first half. top. It is a perfect course for spectators as well as you can easily drive down one side of the course and stop to cheer all along the first half. The course also loops right back beside the start so your cheering squad can wait for you at km 15 which is great i was looking forward to seeing mine there. You then head down to the Red Hill valley parkway at about km 2o and a fantastic downhill for 6 km it’s a great way to make up some time and to have 6 km fly by right when you want them to. It is also fun to run on the parkway!!!
After the parkway I found it got a little weird as we went off the road and onto trail they were a few parts that had pavers on the hill which was pretty tough on the legs. We then looped around some of the waterfront trail that wasn’t very well marke, there were people out for walks with dogs and bike rides along not so wide course . After this area we headed onto the waterfront trail then out on the road and looped back around and came down beside the water. That was the longest and flattest part it was also tough as you did an out and back so you knew what you had left to do. Luckily i had my coach to keep me focused and keep my pace up so the time wetn as fast as the last 15km of a full marathon can. The the view beside the water was very nice for the finish and they were a few people cheering which also helped keep you going.
the finish line is also pretty low key and not crowded so great for friends and family to wait and see you cross the line. it is very easy to find them as well.
All in all it was a great race I was surprised at how little people there were cheering on the course as it was easily accessible to cheer along. The post race was your usual chips, cookies, bananas and hot soup which was a nice touch. I also liked the food trucks and treated myself to a cappuccino from Detour !
The walk back to the car was long and slow but it was worth it I would recommend this race to others and I enjoyed my 2nd full marathon!
