The True North Strong, Free and Fast: The Great Canadian Marathon Guide

By Erin Sheard

First-time marathoners often embrace the comfortable familiarity of a local race. You can sleep in your own bed, the airline won’t lose your lucky shorts, and family is close by to carry you home. But when the marathon siren calls again and again, many runners are lured to far off places and races. They dust off their passport, buy a plane ticket, and cross the border for a 26.2-mile adventure; not realizing that, with almost 60 marathons from sea to sea to sea, our home and native land is hiding multiple 42.2km gems worthy of a race registration. This year, look no further than your neighbour’s backyard for your perfect marathon course.

Best political shakedown. The bureaucrats at Parliament Hill might be known for running at the mouth or running scared when scandal breaks, but runners around the world flock to the National Capital Region for The Ottawa Marathon (May 30). Look closely and you might just see a famous face cheering through the gates at 24 Sussex Dr. With a record 3,577 runners crossing the finish line last year the Ottawa Marathon has now become the largest marathon in Canada.

Most Northerly finish line. Take a cue from our national anthem and head to the true north where the remote northern terrain awes and challenges runners. Some 800km north of the Arctic Circle, the Arctic Watch North West Passage Marathon (August 1) in Somerset, Nunavut is North America’s most far-flung marathon. Twenty-four hours of arctic sun light up the demanding trail course marked by eye-catching Inukshuks. Animal sightings are all but guaranteed on this wild route, with camera-clad runners spotting polar bears, beluga whales, seals, and muskoxen.

Snowiest starting line. Canadians are a tough lot. We can handle a frigid run. The marathon tends to hibernate until spring, but two cool races dare to brave the deep snowdrifts and ominous wind-chill factor. Only a fool would want to start their new year off with a 42.2km bang instead of a 5km resolution whimper. Lucky for them, the January (date TBD for 2011) Fool’s Marathon in St. Catherine’s, ON offers a no-chip, no-frills race for runners with warm base layers and a lot of gumption. As winter peaks in February the Winterman Marathon (February 11) in notoriously bone-chilling Ottawa will test your resolve. Loosen up post-marathon with a skate down the Rideau Canal and watch the winter training blahs fade away.

Beginner’s luckiest. Some people shy away from inaugural races, preferring to wait a year or so until the kinks are worked out. Sure, new races might be kinky, but that’s part of the first-time charm. Run the inaugural event and 20 years later return to the race as one of the fore-running celebs—you might even get a free pasta dinner. Even better, become a lifer by running every edition of the race. This year, two road races are making a debut. With the hulking land formation known as the Sleeping Giant watching over your run, the Thunder Bay Miles with the Giant Marathon (September 19) along the shores of Lake Superior is sure to be a crowd pleaser. On the shores of Lake Ontario the Whitby International North Marathon (May 23) debuts in the hometown of reigning Olympic track and field medalist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep.

Zen-est race. The Log Trail Marathon (August 15) in Port Alberni, BC is proudly billed as a non-race. This laidback event is not timed and prizes are awarded by draw instead of finishing placement. The course follows old logging railway and finishers literally go home with a piece of the route—a gold spike from the old railway.

Best t-shirt. We run for the challenge, the accomplishment, and the addiction; but secretly we also run for the swag. The race medal has its limits when it comes to boasting mileage, but a t-shirt lasts forever. The high-tech Generic City Marathon shirts are practical and garner the requisite oohhs and aahhs, but a really great race t-shirt stops you dead in your sneakers. It impresses, amuses, or intimidates. If for no other reason you must run Look Matters Gopher Attack Marathon (April 2) in Regina, SK so you earn the right to wear the long sleeve shirt. The snarling gopher wearing the bloody nipple bib number 11 will impress the most seasoned of runners.

Best trip back in time. In the days of old Sunday was a day of rest, so running on a Saturday is a must for racers tackling this historic trapline route. The Destination Labrador Trapline Marathon (October 9) in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NF dares you to run full tilt. With the website specifying the average speed of both the mosquito and the moose, full tilt is the best gear. At the finish line head to the trapper’s tent for warm tea and a traditional aboriginal feast. Yes, they serve flummies.

Best double (and triple) play. The largest city in Canada, Toronto, ON, offers back-to-back fall marathons. The races are often pitted against each other, but I’m a lover not a fighter. Like the nearly 170 runners who accepted the challenge in 2009, run both. On September 26 follow an international group of elite runners along Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront’s flat, fast course to the roaring crowds at City Hall. With a blistering 2:08:32 men’s finish last year, Toronto Waterfront holds the record for the fastest marathon on Canadian soil. Then rest for a couple of weeks before lacing up for the Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon’s 42.2km foot tour of Toronto on October 17. The vibrant fall colours brighten the city’s most famous street and the 70 historic sites dotting the route. The rolling route with a pleasing net downhill leads you to the Ontario legislature and a grand finish in Queen’s Park.
Of course, if you want to complete the GTA trifecta of full marathons, your planning will have to start early enough in the year to include the Mississauga Marathon (May 16) — a speedy, net-downhill point-to-point course that takes runners from Mississauga City Hall to the shores of Lake Ontario.

Best run for the border. The Niagara Falls International Marathon (October 24) is the only marathon in the world that begins in one country and ends in another. The next time someone asks you “how far was this marathon?” you can answer “it was so far I needed a passport.” Now that is impressive. Start in New York, run across the Peace Bridge into Canada, travel around historic Fort Erie and end your race at the famous Niagara Falls. With a course record of 2:10:19 and the cool temperatures of late fall, PB seekers may find good fortune in the mist—and if you play your cards right, at the casino later that day.

Host with the Most. If you really want to see a city and not just the over-populated tourist haunts in your Lonely Planet travel guide, take the 42.2km marathon tour. The so-called Paris of North America, Montreal’s European charms are hard to resist. The Marathon Oasis du Montreal (September 5) showcases this cosmopolitan metropolis as old historic districts and modern attractions blend seamlessly along the route. Top off your race with the grandest marathon finish in Canada as you cross the line in the 1976 Olympic Stadium. Bravo!

Richest Race. Run down streets paved with gold. In the 1930s prospectors followed the gold rush north.  In the new millennium wealth seekers are after the diamonds, but runners land on the shores of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories in search of a shiny medal and a race shirt. With the brilliant colours of the aurora borealis lighting up the sky, the Yellowknife Overlander Marathon (August 1) is a gem of a race.

Greenest Course. It’s not easy being green, but that isn’t stopping the Manitoba Lotteries Presents: Manitoba Marathon (June 20). Compostable cutlery and dishes at the race dinner, FSC certified print materials, quick-degrading bags, on-site composting, and an admirable waste-diversion program are just a few of their many eco-friendly initiatives. Tread lightly indeed.

Most memorable miles. Johnny Miles is a marathon legend. In 1926 the unknown 19-year old kid from Nova Scotia beat the fastest marathoners in the world to win the Boston marathon and shatter the world record. As historians are always keen to note, he won the race wearing cheap canvas sneakers. He did it again in 1929. The Johnny Miles Marathon (June 20) honours this great runner in a small town event with big community support. On the other side of the country in Mayerthorpe, AB, the Fallen 4 Marathon (June 6) runs in honour of sacrifice. The race marks the community’s loss of four young RCMP constables in a tragic 2005 stand-off, but has become a show of strength and support. Now that’s a race worth running.

Best post-race tipple. If the ‘will run for vino’ shirts are an accurate indicator, runners enjoy a glass or two of the good stuff. Lucky for runners, vineyards tend to be beautiful places to run. Clever race organizers bring the runners to the wine, staging scenic races with finish line perks. The dry climate and moderate temperatures in Kelowna, BC are ideal for the BMO Okanagan Marathon (October 10) runners and the local wine growers. If you indulge in enough celebratory wine you might just spot the famous Ogopogo, the mysterious lake monster residing in Okanagan Lake. The Niagara Marathon (June 19), held in conjunction with the Niagara Ultramarathon in Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON, will test your resolve as you run past the front door of local wineries - twice. And last but not least, The County Marathon (October 3) doesn’t just wind its way through the up-and-coming wine region of Prince Edward County; it’s also renowned for serving runners free beer at the finish line. Now that’s the kind of carbo-loading we believe in!

Best bragging rights. Flat and fast may entice most runners, but others are attracted to a gruelling course promising blood, sweat, and tears. The Powderface42 Marathon (July 17) in Bragg Creek, AB, is a race to be respected. Run entirely on single track trail through the Rocky Mountain foothills, the path climbs 2,020 metres by the halfway point. River crossings, loose rocks, perilous ascents and descents, and animal encounters of the grizzly and cougar variety are par for the course. This just may be the toughest marathon in Canada. That’s why you want to run it.

Best history lesson. Almost every block in Quebec City, QC has a historic plaque of interest. An entire section of the city, Old Quebec, is a designated UNESCO world heritage site. The Plains of Abraham, the fortified walls, and the Saint Lawrence River are reminders of long ago battles studied by school children across the country. The SSQ Quebec City Marathon/Marathon des Deux Rives (August 29) route brings grade nine history to life, one footstep at a time.

Best off-roading. The Yukon River Trail Marathon (August 1) is run on tricky terrain with drop-offs, quick turns, and narrow trails. The route is devilishly designed so that each upcoming leg is harder than the previous. In the final leg awaits Heart Break and “Pee Wee” hill. Extreme caution is advised—the glorious scenery is tempting, but keep your eyes on the trail.

Best shot at a podium finish. Those of us with speed more like the tortoise than hare may never know the glory of a podium finish. That is, unless you choose your race wisely. Running is its own reward, but an age group trophy is nice too. Small races have the advantage of personal attention, freedom to run without jockeying for position, and routes that may be a bit off the beaten track. With almost 20 marathons running with fewer than 50 marathon finishers, you have your pick of podium potential. Good things come in small packages and these pint-sized races pack a full-sized punch. Check out the Treherne Marathon Run for the Hills (September 12) in Treherne, MB; the Oil Sands Marathon (September TBA) in Fort McMurray, AB, Cape Breton Fiddlers Run (June 6), or the Kennebecasis Valley Challenge Marathon (October 17) in Rothesay, NB. With numbers now exceeding 50, the Rock’s Newfoundland Provincial Marathon (September 26) in St. John’s, Nfld isn’t as tiny as some, but crowds aren’t a concern. Yet.

Best Deal. At $50 ($45 for Run Nova Scotia members) the Nova Scotia Marathon (July 25) in Barrington, NS offers all the perks of a champagne race on a beer budget. The pasta dinner is another bargain at $9. For this low price you can run like the elite—in addition to the race supplied refreshments the organizers will transport your own personal food/drink concoctions to the aid stations. Post race, feast on clam chowder and pie instead of stale bagels and bruised bananas.

Most Regal Race. The Royal Victoria Marathon (October 10) will dazzle you with a trip through the quaint town, almost constant views of the ocean, and handshake from the race organizer at the finish. The stately city’s namesake, Queen Victoria, showed endurance befitting a marathoner as she ruled for over 63 years. If ten is your lucky number this year’s race on 10-10-10 is a once in a lifetime bonus. In truly regal style, celebrate your accomplishment with a traditional English high tea at the historic Fairmont Royal Empress hotel.

Most Extreme Makeover, Race Edition. Everything old is new again. New changes are in the works for the 2010 edition of the Intact Insurance Edmonton Marathon (August 22) as this race joins forces with the popular Canadian Derby horse race. This is a rare opportunity to run a fast summer marathon on a re-routed flatter course with spectacular views along the Edmonton River Valley. I’m rooting for a man versus horse 42.2km showdown.

In 2009, the neighbouring Calgary Marathon (May 30) successfully left the hustle and bustle and heat of The Stampede weekend in favour of a new spring date and a slightly hillier route, but the signature belt buckle medal remains.

Best place to wear a hula skirt. For 20 years, Fredericton, NB has hosted the Not The Honolulu Marathon (December TBA). With fewer than ten hardy souls running the full 42.2km, this may be the smallest marathon in Canada. The sparse crowds and unpredictable weather (cold and windy is almost a guarantee, snowstorms are optional) will satisfy tough runners looking for a new challenge or an excuse to run a marathon in a grass skirt in December.

Prettiest Park. So many people long to get back to nature. National parks and reserves are a proud feature of the Canadian countryside; isn’t it time to run in one? The Edge to Edge Marathon (June 13) is not your average marathon. Running on road, trail, and packed sand through the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the haunting beauty of an ancient rainforest and picture-perfect oceanfront views distract you from the demanding course.

Provincial bigwigs. 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of Regina’s SaskCentral Queen City Marathon (September 12). This limited entry event, capped at 600, sells out well before race day. Well-known for the small size and friendly volunteers, the winding pedestrian paths lead runners around one of the largest urban parks in the world, including the man-made Wascana Lake.

Best place to find a kindred spirit. Visitors on an Anne Shirley pilgrimage head to the National Park, home to the Green Gables House and starting location of the province’s only marathon. Imagine running the BMO Nesbitt Burns Prince Edward Island Marathon (October 17). As you travel from the national park to the confederation trail to Charlottetown, PEI, sweeping sea vistas, classic lighthouses, miles of sandy beaches, charming villages and deep sea fishing boats in the gulf delight your eyes. As Anne would say, when you're imagining, you might as well imagine something worthwhile.

Biggest hills and thrills. Triumphing over a race course’s notorious hills is a badge of honour. Halifax, NS is not known as a flat city. Add in the unpredictable weather and the Scotiabank Blue Nose International Marathon in Halifax (May 23) is a recipe for race adventure. Some runners shy away from a hilly route, but others know that the ups and downs give our legs and brain a break from the monotony of long flat straightaways.

Best place to witness a Guinness World Record. Where are the highest tides in the world? Although hotly contested, Guinness still crowns New Brunswick’s famous Bay of Fundy. The Tim Horton’s Marathon by the Sea (August 8) in Saint John leads runners past the record-setting tides and the mesmerizing reversing falls for a watery run you won’t forget. For once you have reason to embrace the wind—the bigger the gusts, the more exciting the tides.

Best stunt run. You can follow your training schedule religiously, pick the perfect course, dot your “i”s and cross your “t”s, but when mother nature plays roulette with the weather your PB might become a long slow slog to the finish. Thunder Bay’s Thunderwolves Indoor Marathon (2011 date TBA) guarantees perfect weather. Runners complete 211 laps of the Lakehead University Hangar track, reversing direction every 60 minutes to minimize puking and uneven leg development. 2010 was the inaugural race, but organizers are promising an annual event.

Kid Friendliest Marathon. With the near extinction of childhood Phys Ed classes parents need to get creative with exercise. Make your race weekend a family affair. The BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver International Marathon (May 2) offers the McDonald’s Kids MaraFun, a program in which kids run 40.6km in the six weeks leading up to the marathon and a final 1.6km on race day. The mini-marathoners cross the finish line for a total of 42.2km and their first finisher’s medal. While the little runner in your life completes their MaraFun you can run one of the most popular courses in Canada. The glorious Stanley Park is still a route fixture, with the inaugural race looping the park five times, although runners today are treated to the best of city and country.

Best run for a reason. Most races have a charity program, but in Moncton, NB, philanthropy is front and centre. The Legs for Literacy Marathon (October 24) is a grassroots fundraiser for school literacy programs started by a local runner. This is a race to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. If you’re really lucky you might just spot a tidal bore en route. Don’t know what that is? Me either. But I’m definitely curious.

Best Last Chance. You made a New Year’s Resolution to run a marathon, but time is running out. You just know you have a Boston Qualifying run in you, but time is running out. You just want to add one more marathon to your ever-growing list before New Year’s Eve, but time is running out. In Canada the marathon pool dries up as the last of the leaves fall, but there is still one race left - the November 7th Road2Hope Marathon in Hamilton, ON is the last certified marathon of the year. Lucky for you, it is a fast one. According to marathonguide.com, Road2Hope runners lead the way to Boston, with 33.4% qualifying.

Best Spring Tune-up. A special mention goes to the oldest road race in North America. The fluorescent t-shirt doesn’t lie; it really is older than Boston. The Around the Bay 30K (March 28) is the tune-up race of choice for spring marathoners. The weather is unpredictable in early spring, a gamble runners grudgingly embrace. The hills are notorious and the grim reaper mocks as you make your way past his graveyard to the fanfare waiting in Copps Coliseum.

Best of the rest. My best may not be your best. Every marathon in Canada is an adventure waiting to be discovered. With fewer than 60 races in total I challenge the marathon collector to run them all. That’s right, run every marathon in Canada and show up those slackers who only aim for fifty marathons in fifty states.