This year’s Toronto Carnival Run a huge success (despite the rain)

Toronto Carnival Run race director Dione Mason knows that sometimes life rains on your parade–and sometimes it rains on race day (as it did this year at the Toronto Carnival Run on July 29). She also knows, though, that when that happens, the only thing to do is to celebrate anyway.

Though organizers were hoping the rain would hold off, the weather didn’t end up co-operating, and the run was wet. But the mood was buoyant despite the rain, with the help of Carnival dancers, a 360 video camera booth and a full Caribbean-inspired breakfast following the race.

Mason, whom Canadian Running profiled in June as part of the Under Armour Diversity Series, was delighted with the success of this year’s event. This year’s race was only the second in-person event post-pandemic, and the seventh overall. Mason said that participation rates increase about 30 per cent year over year, and 2023 was no exception with more than 700 registrants. Runners came from 11 countries, including Brazil, Trinidad, Poland and Hong Kong. Some had personal ties to the event; others were planning to be in Toronto and decided to make it part of their vacation.

Under Armour Diversity Series: Race Director Dione Mason

The event included a 1K kids’ run and 5K and 10K races. Participants come from diverse backgrounds and wellness levels; running, walking, and dancing along the route are all encouraged, as is decking yourself out in Carnival glitter and costumes–all of which make for a fun and colourful, family-friendly atmosphere.

The Carnival Run has dual goals: the immediate goal is to get people moving by encouraging diversity and inclusion within health and fitness; a longer-term goal involves raising funds for the Simunye Foundation, whose mission is to build an arts and culture centre that will celebrate the history and excellence of the Black community in Canada. This year more than $2,400 was raised for the foundation.

This year’s event was the first to receive grant funding from the Government of Canada. The funding, which is earmarked for efforts that enhance recreation in marginalized communities and promote diversity and inclusion, helped offset the costs of running the event for this and future years as it allowed Mason to purchase some equipment she would normally rent.

As part of the UA Diversity Series, Under Armour donates $5,000 in gear to the initiatives of profile subjects. Mason says the donation allowed the Carnival Run to add value to both the swag bags and finisher prizes. Each registrant received a pair of Under Armour socks, and the top three finishers of each of the three race distances were gifted an Under Armour running gear package.

Plans are already underway for next year’s Toronto Carnival Run, and registration will open in January. Mason encourages any groups or companies interested in participating, partnering or volunteering to reach out to her at info@torontocarnivalrun.com.