Toronto’s rival marathons have two weeks to work out compromise on event date
Posted February 2, 2010 9:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
City officials have given organizers of Toronto’s two fall marathons two weeks to either merge their efforts, move one event to the spring, or risk both events being shut down. However, the 2010 marathons will go ahead as planned. The merge or possible date switch affects the 2011 races.
The ultimatum came from the Public Works Committee after it heard more than a dozen deputations from residents and interest groups Tuesday.
The organizers of the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon and the GoodLife Fitness Toronto Marathon have been given an ultimatum and councillor Shelly Carroll hopes they can work it out. The events are just three weeks apart and create gridlock because of the many road closures made necessary to facilitate the races.
“Use the two weeks wisely or the team of staff can use the RFP (request for proposal) process wisely,” Carroll said.
If they can’t agree, the city will go the request for proposals route, which puts the future of both runs at risk. Bids from all interested groups, not only the two rival races, would be considered.
Jay Glassman with the Toronto Marathon said his run could switch dates but he expects something in return.
“If we were to move to the spring, I’d like to see the city give us some concessions and recognize that we are the ones that are moving,” Glassman said.
Alan Brookes with the waterfront marathon said his team will try to work out a compromise, however he’s still pushing for a single marathon.
“I can’t imagine that there’s a runner out there in our streets right now who’s not salivating with the idea of having a mega-marathon,” Brookes said.
