Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2027: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

15 to 17 October 2027 · ExpectedToronto, Canada

Toronto Waterfront Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Toronto.

Tours in Toronto Hotels for these dates

Airport to Start: University Avenue; finish: Nathan Phillips Square

Pearson (YYZ) has the UP Express to Union Station in 25 minutes.

Downtown loop with a long waterfront out-and-back.

Public transport directions to Start: University Avenue; finish: Nathan Phillips Square

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Annex and Chinatown	Cheaper hotels.
Mid-range	Entertainment District	Walk to TIFF venues.
Splurge	Yorkville	Luxury hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Planet Traveler
Mid-range: Bisha Hotel Toronto
Splurge: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

Links search the nights from 14 October to 18 October. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 15 to 17 October 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 13 October

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayCN Tower EdgeWalk or lookout Half day · Family
Views from 553 m.
EatSt Lawrence Market Food hall

Day before the race

Thursday 14 October

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingToronto Islands ferry and bike Half day · Family · Low walking
Skyline views.
EatPai Thai

Race day

Friday 15 October

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointQueen Street East and the Beaches.
Cheer pointCity Hall finish.
EatKensington Market Street food

Recovery day

Monday 18 October

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Easy outingSt Lawrence Market food tour Half day · Food
Peameal bacon sandwiches.
Rain or heat backupRoyal Ontario Museum.

Family-friendly picks

Full day · Family

Niagara Falls day trip

Boat to the falls and wine country.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

CN Tower EdgeWalk or lookout

Views from 553 m.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Low walking

Toronto Islands ferry and bike

Skyline views.

See times and prices

Ripley's Aquarium.
Ontario Science Centre.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Low walking · Nightlife

Harbour cruise

Sunset on the lake.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Niagara Falls day trip

Boat to the falls and wine country.

See times and prices

After dark

King Street West and Ossington.

5 tours worth booking for Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
Niagara Falls day trip	Full day	Families
CN Tower EdgeWalk or lookout	Half day	Families
Toronto Islands ferry and bike	Half day	Families, Tired legs
St Lawrence Market food tour	Half day	Food lovers
Harbour cruise	Evening	Tired legs, Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

St Lawrence Market Food hall
Pai Thai
Kensington Market Street food

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Royal Ontario Museum.
Art Gallery of Ontario.

Getting around on event days

TTC subway, streetcars and Presto or contactless.

Day trips from Toronto

Niagara Falls: 1.5 hours
Niagara-on-the-Lake: 1.5 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 15 to 17 October 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Start: University Avenue; finish: Nathan Phillips Square?

Pearson (YYZ) has the UP Express to Union Station in 25 minutes. Downtown loop with a long waterfront out-and-back.

Where should I stay for Toronto Waterfront Marathon?

For most visitors the best base is Entertainment District: Walk to TIFF venues.

What else can we do around Toronto Waterfront Marathon?

Good short outings in Toronto include CN Tower EdgeWalk or lookout, Toronto Islands ferry and bike, St Lawrence Market food tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Toronto Waterfront Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Niagara Falls day trip, CN Tower EdgeWalk or lookout, Toronto Islands ferry and bike. Ripley's Aquarium.

How far is Start: University Avenue; finish: Nathan Phillips Square from Toronto centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Downtown loop with a long waterfront out-and-back.

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