Top 5 reasons to run the Sporting Life 10K

The Toronto Sporting Life 10K is this Sunday, May 10. Here are our top five reasons to take part.

1) It’s downhill

The route is almost completely downhill, with the last 2K being flat, hence it is a PB course (and who doesn’t like that?). Runners take warning though—you should train on some downhills before you go out and hammer the Sporting Life 10K (or just accept that your legs will refuse to function the day after).

2) It’s fast

Due to the downhill course, history and size of the race, the Sporting Life 10K attracts a fast crowd. Last year, the winning male time was 29:41 by Berhanu Degefa and the winning female time was 34:19 by Sasha Gollish. So, if you’re looking to be a part of a race with some exciting elite participation, Sporting Life is for you.

3) It runs right down Yonge Street

Yonge Street is arguably Toronto’s most iconic strip, featuring landmarks such as the Eaton Centre, Yonge-Dundas Square and the Hockey Hall of Fame. As one of Toronto’s most popular shopping districts, this street will offer lots of distractions for those who are skilled enough to race and window-shop at the same time.

4) It’s one of the biggest races in Canada (and the largest in Toronto)

Approximately 25,000 runners participate in the Sporting Life 10K, making for an exciting race environment. The course also draws thousands of spectators to keep spirits up the whole way through.

5) It raises money for charity

The run raises money for Camp Oochigeas (Ooch), which offers kids affected with childhood cancers and opportunity to experience camp. Ooch operates all year round and is the only residential camp in Ontario with the ability to offer on site chemotherapy and blood transfusions, allowing kids in active treatment to get out of the hospital for a bit. The camp is offered to children with cancer at no cost to their families, relying entirely upon the generosity of donors.