The History of Marathons in Canada

Canada is home to several renowned marathons that attract runners from around the world. Here's the story of the first edition of the country's largest marathons:

Toronto Marathon (Toronto Waterfront Marathon) – 1990

The Toronto Waterfront Marathon began in 1990 as the Coors Light Toronto Half-Marathon & 5K. It initially consisted of a half marathon and a 5K race. It wasn't until 2000 that the full marathon distance was added, allowing the event to become one of the most prestigious in Canada. The first edition of the marathon as we know it today took place in 2000 and quickly gained popularity thanks to its course along Lake Ontario.

📝 Fun Fact: In the early years of the full marathon (2000s), organizers struggled to attract international elite runners due to competition from other major marathons worldwide. To stand out, they focused on a fast course and attracted Canadian national records over the years.

🏆 Winner of the first edition (2000, full marathon):

Men : Andrés Espinosa (Mexico) – 2 h 16 min 47 s
Women : Lyudmila Kortchaguina (Russia/Canada) – 2 h 36 min 43 s

Montreal Marathon (Marathon Beneva de Montréal) – 1979

The Montreal Marathon was founded in 1979, with a course that crossed several iconic neighborhoods of the city. From the very first edition, the event attracted international runners, particularly due to its festive atmosphere and the challenge it represents with its uphill and downhill sections. Today, it is one of the most popular marathons in the country.

📝 Fun Fact: During the first edition in 1979, the race passed through several emblematic neighborhoods of the city, but the organizers encountered difficulties with car traffic. Some runners had to slalom between cars trying to bypass the barriers, a problem that was resolved in subsequent editions with better coordination with the police.

🏆 Winner of the first edition (1979):

Men : Graeme Fell (Canada) – 2 h 19 min 48 s
Women : Micheline Ricard (Canada) – 3 h 10 min 23 s

Vancouver Marathon – 1972

The Vancouver Marathon began in 1972 as the British Columbia Marathon. It was organized by a group of running enthusiasts and had only 32 participants in its first edition. Over time, it has grown into a major event, now attracting over 17,000 runners and featuring a spectacular course along the city's coastline.

📝 Fun Fact: The first Vancouver Marathon in 1972 was very basic: there were no official aid stations, and runners had to rely on friends and volunteers to give them water along the way. Some participants report drinking from public fountains during the marathon!

🏆 Winner of the first edition (1972):

Men : Tony Short (Canada) – 2 h 22 min 37 s
Women : Not contested (no women's category this year)

Calgary Marathon – 1963

Established in 1963, the Calgary Marathon is Canada's oldest marathon. The first edition saw a handful of participants take on a relatively simple course. Since then, it has evolved into a world-class marathon, showcasing Alberta's landscapes.

📝 Fun Fact: The first edition in 1963 had only 19 participants! At the time, running a marathon was still a relatively new concept in Canada. One of the organizers even ran the race himself after setting up the course markers.

🏆 Winner of the first edition (1963):

Men : Doug Kyle (Canada) – 2 h 45 min 54 s
Women : No women's category at the time

Ottawa Marathon (Tamarack Ottawa Marathon) – 1975

The Ottawa Marathon was first held in 1975. At that time, it was called the National Capital Marathon. This first edition attracted a few hundred participants and was won by John Halberstadt in 2 hours and 22 minutes. Today, it is the largest marathon in the country in terms of participants.

📝 Fun fact: During the first edition in 1975, some runners almost got lost due to unclear course markings. One group of participants even took a wrong turn and had to be guided back on track by volunteers on bikes!

🏆 Winner of the first edition (1975):