Toronto gears up for marathon weekend with new community incentive

As the countdown continues to the 2023 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Toronto’s running community is preparing to showcase its vibrant spirit through the inaugural #ChooseTOCelebrate program. This exciting initiative aims to engage local businesses, runners and spectators in a weekend-long marathon celebration from Oct. 13 to 16.

The idea for this community-driven program originated from an event in May, when the marathon organization committee engaged with Torontonians to explore ways to make the race weekend more enjoyable. To Charlotte Brookes, the national event director at Canada Running Series, the concept was clear: involve local businesses in the festivities, creating a memorable experience for everyone involved.

The #ChooseTOCelebrate program invites businesses along the marathon route and surrounding neighbourhoods to participate by offering special promotions, activities and deals to both participants and spectators. For example, Eastbound Brewery in Toronto’s Leslieville plans to host an all-day happy hour on marathon Sunday, open to anyone with a bib or a finisher’s medal. If you’re looking for a ‘sweeter’ post-race treat, La Diperie in the Beaches is offering a 20 per cent discount on all ice cream flavours for race participants.

In addition to these promotions, many shakeout runs will be offered by local run shops and run clubs, adding to the festive atmosphere. “The primary goal of the #ChooseTOCelebrate program is to transform the marathon into a citywide party,” says Brookes. “We want to connect the city for this marathon, so that they view it as a celebration, rather than just a road closure or disruption.”

2023 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon medal to feature iconic CN Tower

To help navigate, an interactive course map has been designed to help runners locate participating businesses. Marked as “ChooseTOCelebrate” on the map, these businesses are set to offer a taste of Toronto’s hospitality during the marathon weekend. The map is integrated with the official TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon app, which also provides additional resources and information about the race.

The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon anticipates around 25,000 participants from across the world, and with 100,000 spectators, Toronto is gearing up to demonstrate its lively spirit. As Brookes puts it, “We want to throw the biggest party the city has ever seen. Our aim is to support local businesses and make this an unforgettable event.”

You can find a list of all official #ChooseTOCelebrate partners and marathon cheer site locations here.