May 15 News: Toronto Marathon, Manitoba floods, and…

Sunday, May 15th: it’s the 34th annual Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon and that means road closures in the heart of the city. If you haven’t already reconsidered your downtown plans, this is certainly the time to plan alternate transportation.

Ten thousand runners are entered into three events: the marathon, the half marathon, and the five kilometre run.

It is of note that 2011 sees a major change in the timing of this event. In previous years both the Toronto Marathon and the Toronto Waterfront Marathon were being held in the fall. The two events being close together led to complaints about road closures and disruptions to motorists so this year for the first time, the Toronto Marathon has moved its time to the Spring to leave the Fall to the Waterfront Marathon. Hopefully this will appease the drivers.

However, this has meant another problem has cropped up in that the Toronto Marathon is now competing with the Mississauga Marathon. Organizers for that event are hoping to reach 14,000 participants. Obviously there are enough sporty people for both events.

Drivers, be aware. This means both Toronto and Mississauga will be facing road closures and traffic delays between 8am and 4pm on Sunday. Be prepared or better yet, reconsider your plans.

Good luck to the runners. While the temperature is going to be nice, the weather reports are calling for rain. A sprinkle one can contend with but let’s hope there isn’t a downpour!

The Toronto Star gives a full report on road closures and other disruptions due to the marathon. Since the race starts at the North York Civic Centre at 8am and goes down Yonge Street to Queen’s Park, Yonge Street is the main point of contention. Note that the Bay Station of the Toronto subway is closed all weekend due to scheduled track reconstruction.

Manitoba Flood

The CBC has an update on the controlled breach of the Assiniboine River dike. To recap, the waters have risen so much, authorities were afraid of the dikes collapsing so it was decided to create a controlled breach to ease the pressure. The trade-off seemed to come down to flood an area of 200 square kilometres and affect about 150 homes and or risk an uncontrolled breach and flood over 500 square kilometres and potentially affect hundreds of homes.

An opening was created Saturday morning. The CBC has pictures of the breach and shows how the water is spreading out across the farmland. The river is not expected to crest until May 18 or 20 so everyone still has quite a problem to deal with. Reports say that the river has a water flow equal to half of Niagara Falls. That’s a lot of water.

Jack and Stephen

Vinay Menon of the Toronto Star has a column today entitled “Jack and Stephen: Kings of the Hill“. Mr. Menon reports on how Mr. Harper was conciliatory even magnanimous towards Mr. Layton and quotes the Prime Minister as saying, “I think I can speak for the entire country in recognizing the determination and tenacity of Mr. Layton and his remarkable campaign. This is a day, friends, for which the NDP has long worked. Mr. Layton should feel proud and I look forward to working with him in Ottawa.”

Stephen now has what he has longed for, a majority. How will this change him? Once in power, truly in power, will Mr. Harper take a different tact? When one has the power, one can be generous. Could this be the start of a new Conservative party? Open? Transparent? Willing to work with other people like Jack?

This date in…

1940: McDonald’s opens its first opens its first restaurant in San Bernardino, California.

2008: California becomes the second U.S. state after Massachusetts in 2004 to legalize same-sex marriage after the state’s own Supreme Court rules a previous ban unconstitutional.

2010: Jessica Watson becomes the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted around the world solo.

1948: Brian Eno, British musician and record producer was born.

2007: Death of Jerry Falwell, Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church and Founder of Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA (b. 1933)

References

Wikipedia: Toronto Marathon

The Toronto Marathon, held annually in October, is a race from Mel Lastman Square, in the north end of Toronto, to Queen’s Park. The race was initially called the Canadian International Marathon, and was first held in 1995 under its current organizer. The origins of the event trace back to 1977. In 2003, its name was changed to the Toronto Marathon. In 2008, it was again renamed for a new primary sponsor, GoodLife Fitness. It is held on the third Sunday in October, the first Sunday after Canadian Thanksgiving. Because of concerns that the Toronto Waterfront Marathon being held three weeks prior leads to too many road closures, the Toronto Marathon will be run in May, beginning in 2011.

In addition to a full marathon, the event also includes a half marathon, a 5-K run, and an eight-person relay across the marathon course. The marathon meets international standards and is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Wikipedia: Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is an annual marathon held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on the last Sunday in September. Starting from 2011, the marathon will be held in October. The race day also includes a half marathon and 5 km race.

The race has quickly become one of the most prestigious in North America. The marathon meets international standards and is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The marathon is also an IAAF Silver Label Road Race. At the 2010 edition of the race, race winners Kenneth Mungara and Sharon Cherop broke the men’s and women‘s course records with the fastest marathon runs ever recorded on Canadian soil.

Wikipedia: Mississauga Marathon

With a mandate of “A Run for Everyone,” the Mississauga Marathon has a festival atmosphere where spectators, volunteers, runners and their families enjoy a day of fitness and entertainment. The event includes the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Corporate and Team Relay Challenge, Desjardins General Insurance 10K & 10K Student Relay, a community favourite, “The Hazel” 5K and the 2K Family Fun Run/Walk rounds out the weekend ensuring that there truly is an event for everyone.

Wikipedia: May 15

May 15 is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 230 days remaining until the end of the year.

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