Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) organizers and athletes of young and old, from near and far, are lacing up to celebrate the start of Toronto's Run at the opening of the Runner's Expo this Friday at Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The athletes will also commemorate the Centenary of the marathon distance, and the three men who completed the race 100 years ago.
This year's roster of runners highlight's last year's winners and course record holders John Kelai of Kenya and Asha Gigi of Ethiopia. In an attempt to set a new fastest-ever marathon on Canadian soil, 31-year-old Kelai will compete with 24-year-old Tariku Jufar of Ethiopia, highlighting the strongest-ever men's field for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Asha Gigi will be joined on the start line by fellow Ethiopians Atsede Bayisa and Mulu Seboka. Together they will face a tough Kenyan challenge from Irene Mogaka, Caroline Cheptonui and Winifredah Kwamboka.
From all around the world almost 15,000 runners will enjoy Canada's fastest, flattest marathon course this Sunday, including challengers from Team England and Team Mexico against Team Canada in the International Team Challenge.
Spectators and fans are invited to join runners at this year's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon by pledging or cheering through a series of community events like the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge or the Neighbourhood challenge, which hope to improve last year's fundraising total of $920,000. To date, these challenges have raised more than $2 million for a variety of local causes.
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