The historic Toronto Island 10 km. is back! Historic? I’ll say.
In 1976, the then co-race directors, Peter Pimm and Corey Gibson, created the event as a vehicle to raise funds for the University Track and Field Club (UTTC) The funds raised helped to underwrite the travel and accommodation expenses for athletes competing in various meets.
In 1976, the then co-race directors, Peter Pimm and Corey Gibson, created the event as a vehicle to raise funds for the University Track and Field Club (UTTC) The funds raised helped to underwrite the travel and accommodation expenses for athletes competing in various meets.
However, with the booming road race scene, a growing number of the club's athletes coached by Pimm, including Corey Gibson, Jack Friel, etc. were mainly participating in road races, and not profiting for their contributions to fundraising.
And so, in 1980, this group decided to establish a separate club named the Longboat Roadrunners. (on good terms by the way).
So it made sense that this offspring club would offer the same popular Island event, as their fundraiser, but on a different date
Subsequently the UTTC turned to other fundraising efforts (e.g., alumni donations), leaving the Longboat club to solely continue the event, starting in 1980.
[Check out the history of the Longboat club HERE].
Course Changes
Naturally, over the years, there have been several island renovations with new pathways, and now the route is completely on paved surfaces (except for to the last 57 metres which on grass to the Finish line located between 2 iconic century old + willow trees). .
As a matter of fact, in the earlier years, substantial portions of the 10 Km. route included running on grass.
And Coach Pimm would often lead the race's runners on a bike. However, one year, a main grass portion of the course was quite soggy due to an unusual level of rain, and (due to weak quad strength) Pimm was almost passed by the race leader! Embarrassing.
Anyway, this year's route has a very small change due to the installation of a new asphalt path between the 3.5 and 4.5 km. So Pimm has remeasured the route in order to maintain the Athletics Canada Certification.
And so, in 1980, this group decided to establish a separate club named the Longboat Roadrunners. (on good terms by the way).
So it made sense that this offspring club would offer the same popular Island event, as their fundraiser, but on a different date
Subsequently the UTTC turned to other fundraising efforts (e.g., alumni donations), leaving the Longboat club to solely continue the event, starting in 1980.
[Check out the history of the Longboat club HERE].
Course Changes
Naturally, over the years, there have been several island renovations with new pathways, and now the route is completely on paved surfaces (except for to the last 57 metres which on grass to the Finish line located between 2 iconic century old + willow trees). .
As a matter of fact, in the earlier years, substantial portions of the 10 Km. route included running on grass.
And Coach Pimm would often lead the race's runners on a bike. However, one year, a main grass portion of the course was quite soggy due to an unusual level of rain, and (due to weak quad strength) Pimm was almost passed by the race leader! Embarrassing.
Anyway, this year's route has a very small change due to the installation of a new asphalt path between the 3.5 and 4.5 km. So Pimm has remeasured the route in order to maintain the Athletics Canada Certification.
Running to the Finish Line
Below, is a link to a terrific video that was produced for the event in 2016.
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