According to the Canadian Press on Monday, the 2020 Toronto Waterfront Marathon has been cancelled because of coronavirus. The event was scheduled for October 18, and normally has approximately 25,000 runners.
There have been 37,163 cases of coronavirus in Ontario, and 2737 deaths. There are also 4102 active cases.
The Toronto Waterfront Marathon is one of 64 marathons in the world with gold label status by the International Association of Athletics Federations. It was a record season in 2019, as Philemon Rono of Kenya set the men’s marathon record with a time of 2:05:00, and Magdalyne Masai of Kenya set the women’s record with a time of 2:22.16.
Four Canadians have won the Toronto Waterfront Marathon over the years. On the men’s side, Daniel Howat of Scarborough, Ontario won in 2001, and Stephane Gamache of Ottawa, Ontario won in 2002. On the women’s side, Sue Grise of Toronto, Ontario won in 2000, and Nicole Stevenson of Toronto, Ontario won in 2002.
The fact that the 2020 Toronto Waterfront Marathon will not happen, will have a significant impact from a financial standpoint to the city of Toronto. According to Toronto Mayor John Tory, the race generates $35 million on an annual basis. The race also sees athletes from 75 different countries participate.
The Toronto Waterfront Marathon cannot be confused with the Toronto Marathon, which takes place annually on the first Sunday in May. The Toronto Marathon was also cancelled this year because of coronavirus.
