Toronto Women’s Half Marathon and 5K today
Posted May 30, 2010 6:36 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Close to 60% of all finishers in the GTA’s existing half marathons are women. So avid runner Cory Freedman decided to create a race just for women. The first race took place last year, and this year the second annual run will hit the pavement. Katherine Kolenchuck is a race organizer, she tells 680 news Freedman felt it was important to make a race specifically for women “Having seen all of the various races around the world, but there wasn’t really one in Toronto that was just for women.” She said. “Last year was our inaugural run, and we are hoping to take it national in a couple years”
The race starts and finishes at Wilket Creek Park at the entrance of Sunnybrook Park at Leslie & Eglinton. The route heads south into the picturesque Don Valley park system following along the Don River to Taylor Creek and back to where the race began.
The race begins at 8am and the first finisher is expected to cross the line at approximately 1:20pm. 550 women are expected to take part in the 5km run, which begins at 8:30am.
The race course will be closed to vehicular traffic.
This event was created by Cory Freedman – a lifelong competitive runner, ironman participant and event organizer – to provide an opportunity for both competitive and recreational female runners to experience the thrill of women setting the pace.
Pan American Games gold medallist and Canadian sportscaster Debbie Van Kiekebelt is the emcee for the race this year.
Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) is the charitable beneficiary of this event.
Toronto firefighters will add motivation at the water stations located at 10k in the marathon and at 2.5k in the 5k.
The finisher’s medal is an exclusive enamel and silver coated medallion, designed and made by Toronto-based Foxy Originals.
