Parkdale—High Park x 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Exciting news! The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and Canadian Marathon Championships are passing through Parkdale—High Park on Sunday, October 19, 2025. This is a unique opportunity to see world-class athletes up close and to support community champions. Let’s raise spirits and funds!

Let's raise spirits!

You don't have to be a runner to cheer one on! Waving signs and chanting cheers for folks doing hard things is invigorating for everyone. Heading down to a cheer station offers a chance to see Olympians, elite Canadian runners, emerging contenders from around the world, and perhaps even friends or colleagues in the open races.

The marathon and half-marathon routes will take competitors through our ward along Lakeshore Blvd West with a turnaround at Ellis Ave. There are five designated cheer sites within the ward —between the 9k and 12k marks of the race — from which to watch and cheer runners on.

Lakeshore Blvd West @ British Columbia (#11)
Lakeshore Blvd West @ Net Drive (#12)
Lakeshore Blvd West @ bottom of Roncesvalles (#13)
Lakeshore Blvd West @ Parkside Dr (#14)
Lakeshore Blvd West @ Ellis Ave (#15)

Use the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon interactive maps to see race routes, cheer stations, and road closures for Saturday, October 18 (5K race) and Sunday, October 19th (marathon & half marathon).

https://www.racepoint.ca/maps/twm.html

Let’s raise funds!

The charity challenge includes several non-profit organizations that directly support our school communities and neighbours. Many have staff teams lacing up for the race. If it’s within your capacity to give financially, please consider a donation to these organizations that support local school programming, nutrition and housing. Visit their donation pages below for more information.

Bloor West Food Bank
Fred Victor (supports Dunn House)
Jays Care Foundation (supports summer camp at Dr. Rita Cox -Kina Minagok PS)
Parkdale Community Food Bank
Sistema Toronto (supports afterschool programming at Parkdale JSPS)
Toronto Foundation for Student Success (supports TDSB schools)

Review the complete list of fundraising organizations and donation information.

Featured Official Charity: Sistema Toronto

Join me in cheering on the Sistema Toronto team running the 5K race!

Sistema Toronto is a free after-school music and social development program for children living in underserved communities with the end goal of transformative social action. Parkdale JSPS is one of five program locations in the city. Students learn together for 10 hours each week where they play in orchestras, sing in choirs, and beat drums in drum ensembles. Your investment allows Sistema Toronto students to play real instruments, receive instruction with professional musicians, eat a healthy snack every day, and benefit from a community of support.

Learn more on the Sistema Toronto website.

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5th Annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Parkdale—High Park

The land we call Parkdale—High Park is the traditional territory of many first nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 marks the 5th Annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as well as Orange Shirt Day.

Across our public schools, educators and students are learning about the experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples and how to honour the children of the residential school system and their families. As family and community members, we can learn alongside them by participating in these free local events in High Park and Roncesvalles Village.

I highly recommend the screening of Night Raiders which I’ve had the honour of viewing together with trustee colleagues and school leaders. The Toronto Public Library also offers several opportunities to continue learning free of cost throughout the year, including a Reading for Reconciliation Book List. Learn more about TPL Indigenous Initiatives.