2016 is fast-approaching! With that comes the dreaded new years resolutions. All too often, we start off strong with high hopes to reach that weight-loss goal or run a marathon, but within a few months (or, lets be honest, weeks) have fallen off the band wagon. Don’t fear, iRun is here to help. We’ve curated four days of training tools to help you reach your new year’s goals – from running apps to the top running races. Check in everyday up until new years day for running tips, motivation and training tools.
Every year, we make new years resolutions in hopes to reach our fitness goals. However, without a plan, these goals often fizzle out and lose their momentum. Over the past three days we have equipped you with the tools to start of your new year running plans on a strong foot (including running apps, music apps and GPS watches). Today, we are highlighting the top Canadian road running marathons to provide you with a concrete race-date to stay focused, motivated and excited!
Without further ado, here are out top five Canadian marathons to inspire new years resolution race registration!
BMO Vancouver Marathon
Best for: The Waterfront Scenery
The BMO Vancouver Marathon is held annually on the first Sunday of May through the streets of Vancouver, British Columbia. The Vancouver Marathon is the second largest international marathon event in Canada, bringing in over 14,000 runners – with over 3700 completing the marathon distance.
The Vancouver Marathon course begins at the Queen Elizabeth and takes runners west out to Pacific Spirit Park and around UBC. Marathoners then follow a route along the water towards downtown, loop around Stanley Park to finish their marathon in the heart of Vancouver!
GoodLife Toronto Marathon
Best for: Toronto Neighbourhood Hopping
The Goodlife Toronto Marathon is fast, scenic and mostly downhill. Runners get to experience the city of Toronto on foot in the company of over 15,000 runners from over 50 countries.
The Toronto Marathon is a point-to-point course, beginning at Mel Lastman Square in the North York, travelling through many of Toronto’s great neighbourhoods to finish at Ontario Place.
Ottawa Marathon
Best for: Reaching Your Personal Record
The Ottawa Marathon is Canada’s fastest marathon and attracts Canada’s largest marathon field, bringing first timers and world-class elite athletes together. Notably, the course holds the fastest time ever run on Canadian soil – 2:06:54 by Yemane Tsegay of Ethiopia.
The Marathon features a fast, scenic route with few elevation changes and travels through some of Ottawa’s most vibrant neighbourhoods and iconic landmarks. Also, unique this race, the Ottawa Marathon course travels through two Canadian provinces.
This year the Ottawa Marathon was awarded the prestigious International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) Gold standard, making it one of the five-gold label marathons in North America – along races such as Boston and New York.
Niagara Falls Ultra Marathon
Best for: Race one of the World Wonders
The Niagara Falls Ultra is the go-to road ultra marathon, including a 100km, 50km, Marathon, Half-Marathon and 10km course. The course follows a traffic-free asphalt footpath along the Niagara River Parkway from Niagara-on-the-Lake past Fort George and on to the Niagara Falls and back.
This out-and-back route stays in continuous sight of the Great River and turning around at the falls, offering runs the opportunity to run on a scenic course rooted in Canadian and American history.
Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Best for: Running Crowds and Cheering Spectators
The Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon attracts more than 26,000 athletes across the Marathon, Half Marathon and 5km. As the most exciting and rapidly growing running events in North America, Toronto hosted the 2015 Canadian Marathon Championship.
The Waterfront Marathon is an elite level race and is among one of five IAAF Gold Label Road Races in North America. The Marathon starts on University Avenue, heads down and along Lakeshore and finishes north Queen Street.
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