Get your weekend on: Waterfront Marathon, Halloween fun among events

Runners and walkers will descend on Toronto’s streets Sunday for the annual Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Good luck to all taking part!

Aside from the marathon, there are other events taking place across the city, including a couple of Halloween events.

Events

Lace up your sneakers
The Toronto Waterfront Marathon will take over the city streets on Sunday, and while it is an event that promotes staying active and community giving, drivers will have to navigate around road closures. The five-kilometre run starts at 8 a.m. followed by the marathon and half-marathon at 8:45 a.m. Road closures will be in effect along Lake Shore Boulevard, Bay Street, University Avenue, Bathurst Street and other roadways. Click here for an interactive map of the run routes and road closures. Some of the participants will also be raising money for charity through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

Get your Ouija board out
Do you believe in the Ouija board? If you are a believer or a skeptic, you will get a “scientific explanation” of how it works at a special Halloween event, which is being held at the Spadina Museum. While at the historic house, hear death stories and rituals from the 1920s and also learn how to read palms, tea leaves and fortune-telling cards. The event starts on Thursday, with tickets available on some dates.

Cute scary at the zoo
It is an early Halloween treat at the Toronto Zoo this weekend, where kids aged 12 and under who are in costume can get in for free. The freebie applies only to kids who are accompanied by an adult paying regular admission. The offer is valid for up to two children per adult. The zoo also has another treat — the BOO-mobile. Hop on for a fun adventure filled with spooky tales about animals and the ghosts at the zoo. The cost is $9 for non-members and children under two years old can ride for free.

Poutine frenzy
French fries, gravy and cheese curbs … what could be better? An event that celebrates everyone’s love of the Canadian dish. This Saturday, head down to Yonge-Dundas Square for Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship. Enjoy free poutine and also check out three eating championships, including the CEO Charity Challenge to raise money for Friends of We Care — which helps kids with disabilities go to accessible Easter Seals summer camps. There will also be ’80s glam rock live music, a photo booth time machine, a temporary tattoo parlour and craft beer samples.

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Summer may be over but that doesn’t mean you have to give up your love of plants. Allan Gardens will be hosting a fall plant sale fundraiser on Sunday. Several houseplants will be available for sale, ranging in price from $3 to $25. Cash sales only — so remember to bring some. Gardeners will also be on hand to give you advice on how to care for your plants. The sale starts at 10 a.m. and runs until noon — or when they sell out. Money raised from the sale will go to support volunteer and educational programs at the park and conservatory.

Transit

Partial Line 1 closure
On Saturday and Sunday, subways won’t be running on Line 1 between Lawrence and St. Clair stations due to construction on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Shuttle buses and Wheel-Trans service will be running. Riders who require an elevator need to exit the train at York Mills Station.

Road closures

Toronto Waterfront Marathon (Sunday)
Bay Street from Queen to Dundas streets will be closed from 11 a.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Sunday. A series of road closures will also be in effect from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday in the area bounded by Bloor Street West, Victoria Park Avenue, Lake Shore Boulevard and Windermere Avenue. A full list of the road closures can be found here.