Comments on: Smackdown: Should city streets be closed for marathons?

By: SlowMo

SlowMo — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:25:57 +0000

I have no problem with an once a year event like the Boston Marathon but all these smaller charity marathons that we have in Toronto can be a bit much. This isn’t a car versus runner issue…. This is a car, pedestrian, cyclist and public transit user versus charity marathon runner issue. The fact is this marathon tie up the entire city for all types of transit users. Also, it interferes with all types of business because the people that enter these races pretty much show up in the morning and leave immediately after to their suburban homes. Although, this is the opinion of a downtown condo dweller, that does not own a car, and when is comes to events in downtown Toronto no one seems to care about our opinion. These races very rarely draw any spectator interest beyond the immediate family or some friends of the people competing in the race. Therefore, you have to question the value of these particular races to downtown Toronto. Couldn’t we just have one big charity race for all these causes?

By: hagenaar

hagenaar — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:16:56 +0000

The era of the automobile has peaked. Communities are now being designed with pedestrians in mind. Some forward thinking cities are shutting sections of their central cores permanently to traffic. Events like the TO Marathon remind us that vast sections of our cities are much more interesting when they are returned, for a little while, to the people. Vive la révolution!

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:25:55 +0000

I’ve got no problem with one major run a year closing down streets – it could be a big event (like the Boston Marathon).

The problem is that there seems to be one of these every weekend, which is where the annoyance factor comes from.

I’d also like to see The Star do some digging and find out how much money actually makes it to the charity. They report that millions were collected, but how much was left after expenses.

By: Jimmy B

Jimmy B — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:20:47 +0000

Norris is a little old school on this subject. Clearly Norris you do not see the FULL picture as to why a marathon is held on the streets and neighborhoods.

Perhaps you should have supplemented your automotive journalistic education with some business education to understand. This is a huge marketing event that showcases our city internationally to the world. Increases tourism and brings significant $$$ to Toronto businesses. The same businesses that pay taxes that enable us to have roads. Unless you would like to drive on dirt or pay a lot more in taxes you should be thankful that these events are in place. Being on the same page as Rob Ford should have been warning enough for you, not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:30:13 +0000

Where else do you expect them to go? Run several hundred laps of a park? Make an obstacle course out of the sidewalk? Having it on the streets is the safest option for the runners, and is only an infinitesimally minor inconvenience to everyone else. Really, if you absolutely HAVE to go somewhere downtown on a Sunday morning, be smart and plan ahead.

By: TC

TC — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:34:02 +0000

What kind of moronic question is this? Have you ever actually SEEN one of the marathons that is run in Toronto? We’re talking tens of thousands of runners, there is literally no where TO run these races but on the roads.

The waterfront marathon raised almost 5 million dollars for local charities last year, and the amount of money that it pours into the local economy (people come from all over to run it) is significant.

It’s one day a year, on a Sunday, and roads are only closed for the morning only. Runners are taxpayers too, and hey, some of us have even been known to drive cars once in a while.

People who get their knickers in a twist over this need to learn that they’re not the center of the universe. Deal with it.