Giving Back to a Great Training Ground
How – and why – participants in Canada Running Series’ TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon are supporting Trans Canada Trail
Meet Emily Peotto, a self-described “new runner.” Last November, Emily decided that she wanted to run Canada Running Series’ TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October 2024. She has registered for the half-marathon and now trains three to five times a week on the Trans Canada Trail in preparation for the race.
Also in Toronto, Nicole Mickelow is a co-founder of Eastbound Run Crew, a running club that operates out of Eastbound Brewing Company in the city’s east end. Nicole and her crew meet up weekly on Monday evenings to train together, often running along the Martin Goodman Trail.
‘We don’t realize how lucky we are to have so much access to nature’
Emily explains that she really wanted to set her mind to something and complete it, and for her, that something is a half-marathon! “I have a history of giving up on goals that feel unattainable. I’m really excited to feel complete gratitude for myself and my body for pushing through,” she says. “I’m also looking forward to being surrounded by a community of runners who are high energy and motivating!”
Emily also cites Trans Canada Trail’s Martin Goodman Trail – starting at Coronation Park and running west to Mimico – as her training route of choice. She often heads out on the Trail with her dog and her partner. “We don’t often realize how lucky we are to live in a big city and still have so much access to nature: having the space to breathe fresh air, and being surrounded by water, trees and wildlife is critical to our well-being,” she says.
Teaming up with Trans Canada Trail to build awareness and raise funds
This year, Nicole, a running enthusiast and frequent Canada Running Series participant, will be cheering on her run club colleagues. “I’ve been working on my cowbelling, clapping and cheering skills,” she says. She notes that she’s run Canada Running Series races several times in the past and loved them.
Earlier this year, Trans Canada Trail was looking to connect with run clubs that support our mission to provide healthy, active living opportunities where people can spend meaningful time outdoors, and to increase accessibility to trails and nature, and came across Eastbound Run Crew. Thanks to a generous gift from Canada Running Series, we offered them entries to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. In exchange, Eastbound Run Crew spread the word about training on the Trail via social media. As an added – and unexpected – bonus, the club decided to raise funds directly for Trans Canada Trail at a separate event.
“Every year, along with our friends at Culture Athletics, we host the Riverdale Beer Mile, and this year we chose to support Trans Canada Trail with a donation from the entry fee proceeds,” Nicole explains. “We are so grateful for the work the organization does to maintain the trail – it’s such a beautiful place to run in the city, year-round!”
Supporting Trans Canada Trail as part of marathon registration
Emily decided to support Trans Canada Trail as one of Canada Running Series’ chosen sustainability charities. As part of her registration for the half-marathon, she added a donation during the checkout process for Trans Canada Trail. “Trails take so much work to keep up. I donate to Trans Canada Trail because I know how much love and care these trails need, and I know Trans Canada Trail works tirelessly every day to provide that love and care,” she says.
Marathon runners in some of Canada Running Series’ events across Canada can also opt to wear a green bib in lieu of a race T-shirt, as a way to make the race more sustainable. Participants do not receive a shirt on race day, and instead a donation is made to an environmental charity like Trans Canada Trail.
Connecting to nature in the heart of the city, thanks to the Trans Canada Trail
To Emily, the Trans Canada Trail – and trails in general – are important for our longevity. “[Trails] get so much use, which can really start to show if they are not properly taken care of. I hope to see that Trans Canada Trail can continue providing the top-quality care they currently provide to our trails.”
Nicole agrees. “It’s so great to have access to the Trail – especially when you live in the heart of a large city. I’m so glad I have access to it for exercise and to enjoy nature,” she says.
Donate today
Find out more about how to support race participants’ fundraising campaigns through Canada Running Series’ TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, or donate directly to Trans Canada Trail today.
For residents of the Toronto area, join Trans Canada Trail and Canada Running Series for a Marathon Weekend Trail Clean-up on October 18. We’ll be hitting the trail for an afternoon of plogging (picking up trash while jogging) at whatever pace you’re comfortable – including walking.
