Run towards the good life: Toronto Marathon, Hot Docs this weekend

Drivers will be cranky but others will be running for joy as the GoodLife Fitness Toronto Marathon takes over the city on Sunday.

The good news is that the subway opens at 8 a.m. on Sunday, and the night work on a portion of Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) should be done by then.

If you are not taking part or cheering for someone in the marathon events, check out some of the other fun things taking place this weekend, including Hot Docs and an antiques show.

There are only 52 weekends in a year, so make the most of this one.


GoodLife Fitness Toronto Marathon

Thousands of runners will be lacing up for the annual GoodLife Fitness Toronto Marathon on Sunday, which features the full marathon, half marathon, 10K run, 5K run and 5K walk.

Although there will be road closures, just remember that the event raises money for several charities, including the Hospital for Sick Children and the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. This year, the event hopes to surpass $1.2 million.

 

Race details and route maps

The day kicks off with the full marathon at 7:30 a.m., the relay at 7:50 a.m., and then the half marathon at 8:30 a.m. Runners will start at Mel Lastman Square and proceed down Yonge Street, making their way into the downtown core before finishing off near Ontario Place.

 

 

The 10K run, and the 5K run and walk, take places at 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m. and noon, respectively. The 10K starts at Aylmer and Park roads, near Rosedale Station, and ends at Ontario Place. The 5K run and walk starts on Remembrance Drive on Ontario Place, heads along Lake Boulevard, and then routes back to the starting point.

Click here for more information on the specific routes.

Road closures

The main segment of the race takes place on Yonge Street from Finch Avenue to Davenport Road, and road closures will be in effect as of 6 a.m.

A stretch of Yonge will be closed for the full and half marathons, as well as some highway ramps to accommodate the runners.

There will also be full and partial closures as the runners make their way from North York to Ontario Place. Some lane restrictions will take place in the area bounded by Bayview Avenue, South Kingsway, Lake Shore Boulevard and Finch Avenue.

The following Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway ramps will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.:

  • Gardiner eastbound ramp to Jarvis Street: access to Jarvis will be closed but access to Lake Shore Boulevard will remain open
  • Gardiner ramp to northbound Spadina: access to westbound Lake Shore will be closed
  • Spadina ramp to the westbound Gardiner Expressway: access to westbound Lake Shore will be closed
  • Don Valley Parkway to Bayview/Bloor ramp: access to southbound Bayview Avenue will be closed

 

Click here for a full list of road closures.

Other events

Toronto Mandarin MS Walk
You can be a part of the MS Society’s largest fundraising event. The Toronto Mandarin MS Walk combines food, prizes and community spirit.

It takes place at Downsview Park at 9:30 a.m. Sunday and this year’s fundraising goal is $555,000. The society says Canada has the highest rate of Multiple Sclerosis in the world, and all funds raised go towards programs and services for affected Canadians.

Hot Docs
Be entertained and educated at this year’s Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

Over 200 films from around the world will be screened in Toronto starting on Thursday and running until May 8. Click here for a complete list of films.

 

Digifest 2016
The digital wave continues to grow, and a weekend gathering will showcase the latest creations and trends in digital media, art, design and technology.

The three-day event starts Thursday through Saturday, and brings together speakers from academia and industry to talk about how the digital realm will shape our future. Tickets are available here.

Midtown Antiques Show
It’s a real life antiques road show in Toronto on Saturday. You’re invited to bring your family treasures and heirlooms to the Midtown Antiques Show, with experts on hand to let you know if you’re sitting on a treasure.

It takes place from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Yorkminster Baptist Church on Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue.

TTC/road closures

Early Line 2 closure
If you are heading out on Saturday night, keep in mind that subway service will end at 11 p.m. on Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) between Pape and St. George stations. The early closure is due to bridge work on the Prince Edward Viaduct. Shuttle buses will stop at all stations.

Next weekend, there is a scheduled subway closure on Line 2 between Bathurst and Jane stations due to track work.

Road work
On top of the road closures for the Toronto Marathon, there are other closures in the city due to construction.

Gerrard Street, from Yonge to Church streets, will be closed until the end of July for watermain replacement, road resurfacing and bike lane and sidewalk upgrades.

Westbound Lake Shore Boulevard, from York Street to Rees Street, will be reduced to one lane except from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays when two lanes will be open. The closure, which is for Toronto Hydro work, will be around the clock, seven days a week, with a completion date of July 27.

Richmond Street, from Yonge to Bay streets, will be also reduced to two lanes until July 1 for road and sidewalk repairs. One lane will be used for cyclists and pedestrians.

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