The Toronto Waterfront Marathon is this weekend and here’s what it means for your plans
It’s that time of the year again, when the city laces up and hits the streets for the annual TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Thousands of runners will be racing through Toronto this weekend, bringing plenty of excitement (and a few road closures) along the way.
Whether you’re joining the pack, watching from the sidelines, or just hoping to grab brunch without a detour, here’s what you need to know about marathon weekend in Toronto.
On your marks, get set, go!
The TCS marathon kicks off on Oct. 18, with its 5K race, which begins at 9 a.m. The following day, Oct. 19, both marathons, the 42K and 21K, will begin at 8 a.m. Here’s a breakdown:
Road closures to know
If you’re an early bird and plan on heading out in the a.m., take note of the following closures.
5k closures:
Marathon closures:
Sunday will see later reopenings in the east end of the city, so get ready for some detours.
Running map (and where to cheer)
Know someone running this year, or are you interested in seeing all the action? There are a number of cheer sites and viewing areas where you can see the runners do what they do best.
The start line for the marathon and half-marathon will be on Yonge Street, near Elm Street, facing northbound. And the finish line for both will be on Bay Street, just north of Queen Street.
For the marathon/half-marathon:
As for the 5K, the route will start on University Avenue south of Pearl Street and end near Bay Street and Queen Street.
What else is going on in Toronto this weekend?
Here’s a look at what else is going on in Toronto — besides running, of course.
Toronto Sauna Festival
Group sauna sessions, cold plunges, breathwork, yoga, red light therapy, and more await at Toronto’s first sauna fest, happening on Saturday.
When: Saturday, Oct. 18
Time: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Evergreen Brick Works — 550 Bayview Ave.
Cost: $24.99+ per ticket
Sunday Assembly Market
This market at Steamwhistle Brewing will have over 30 vendors selling local food, crafts, and drinks.
When: Sunday, Oct. 19
Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Steam Whistle Event Space – 255 Bremner Blvd.
Cost: Free admission
Toronto Bonsai Society Fall Exhibition and Sale
Bonsai enthusiast? Toronto Botanical Garden is holding this annual event, a day filled with bonsai trees, expert demonstrations, and “unique shopping opportunities.”
When: Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Toronto Botanical Garden – 777 Lawrence Ave. E.
Cost: $11.98 per ticket
We’ve rounded up all the best things to do in Toronto this weekend so you don’t have to stay home without any plans.
Now get ready for a fun-filled and busy weekend.
TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon
When: Oct. 18 and 19, 2025
Time: Saturday at 9 a.m., and Sunday at 8 a.m.
Where: Locations vary
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Karen Doradea
Managing Editor, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.
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