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Mississauga Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Mississauga Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 3.3
Number of comments: 81 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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P. M. from Toronto, ON
(5/3/2024)
"Smallish suburban race, rolling hills" (about: 2024)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Mississauga Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This marathon is back with a new sponsor and course changes after the pandemic hiatus. The course has been tweaked to include an out-and-back and a loop in the Mississauga City Centre development at the start and to remove one unpopular downhill / uphill section closer to the end. There's also small route changes in the middle, but the start and finish are still in the same spots and it's still a point-to-point net downhill course. It starts at the Mississauga City Centre with large residential towers and a massive shopping mall, runs through nicer suburban and parkland areas when not on major roads, and finishes at a lakeshore marina. There is still one dusty industrial stretch in Miles 17-19 which could use some improvement. There's plenty of rolling hills after a significant downhill early on, but there are also long flat stretches. The race is relatively well organized for a smaller suburban event. Water stations are spaced too widely, though they were better served this time by cheerful volunteers. There are multiple timing mats and checkpoints. Roads are not fully closed and at one point involve running in a very narrow coned-off lane next to traffic, but overall traffic management at intersections was good, with runners given priority. There's a fair amount of shared bike/pedestrian paths closer to the finish which could get crowded. No expo to speak of at the number pick-up, but plenty of food and liquids at the finish and a comfortable coach transportation back to the start where most runners park their vehicles. Spectators aren't numerous except at the start and finish, but there's a few loud official cheering stations, and overall it seemed like people were into it more than previous years (e.g. a few neighbourhoods have set up their informal water/cheer stations). I would recommend this as a spring race in the Greater Toronto area; it compares very favourably with the poorly organized springtime Toronto Marathon, but does require a trip to the suburbs. | |
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Trevor Janes from Ottawa, CAN
(6/14/2019)
"Very well organized for a smaller marathon." (about: 2019)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mississauga Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Weather was good. Organization was excellent. The course was 70% scenic (posh neighborhoods and bike paths) and 30% busy streets, but overall I liked it. My only complaint is that the race t-shirt was cotton, not technical, and all it had on it was the marathon's website URL. No images, sponsors, not even the year of the race. Not attractive at all. The medal on the other hand was the largest I've ever seen. | |
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P. B. from Muskoka, Ontario
(5/11/2018)
"Friendly and fun" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Mississauga Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran Mississauga in 2007 as my very first marathon, and managed to qualify for Boston there. In the intervening years, Boston has become my spring marathon. But this year I did Mississauga, and it was wonderful to return to the 'scene of the crime' so to speak. The weather was ideal, with a start-time temperature of 10 Celsius, and little wind. As the hours wore on, the temperature rose by a few degrees, and the wind increased a bit, but if anything the headwind was appreciated as a cooling factor. The first 5k are unremarkable, along Burnhamthorpe road, a typical commercial street, but closed completely to traffic, which is good, since the half marathon (around 1800 participants) and the marathon (around 800) all go out together. Then you turn south and the scenery is very pretty along Mississauga road. At 16k, the half marathoners head out toward the finish line and the full heads west. Kilometres 20 to 28 are in an industrial area and mentally can be the doldrums. It's an out and back, so you can see the runners ahead of you and behind you on the course as you cover this stretch. I saw the lead woman just exiting the small lakeside park, on her way back in, as I was still heading out. Gels are supplied at 17km and 32k-ish. Nice to have a couple. Water stations can be as much as 4km apart, but are well-organized and supported by enthusiastic and efficient volunteers. On a hot day, you might want to carry your own fluids. The last 14k dips several times between lakeshore road and the lake, and is very pleasant and scenic, with pretty residential areas, a (mostly paved) path right along the lakefront, and some minor hills before things flatten out completely at 38k. One thing that was a really pleasant surprise was the amount of spectator support, cheering stations and some musical entertainment. As well, this is the first and only marathon where I've seen the traffic-control police smiling and clapping and cheering as well. Marathoners be aware that you share the first 16k of the course with half-marathoners, plus there is a 5x8km relay for the marathon, so don't let yourself get sucked into racing those who are covering shorter distances. The finish line is at the end of a spit of land that curves out into Lake Ontario. The finishing chute was very efficient. Kudos to the organizers and the city of Mississauga for creating a really pleasant race experience. | |
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S. M. from Ottawa, ON
(7/12/2017)
"99th Marathon! Race is starting to slide" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Mississauga Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This was my 99th full marathon! Last year I felt the race expo was just 'there' and was a bit let down by the overall race experience. This year they had water stations every 4k for the first half and moved to ever 2k. If the race was going to cut the budgets water stations is not a good place to start. Well organized in terms of the buses, etc., but the volunteers at the arena (where I dropped off my car) did not know I would have access to a warm shower after. I live nearby and will continue to support the race but they have to set priorities and runners like access to fluids during a race! Great to see so many local runners at the race though. | |
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J. A. from Wisconsin
(5/24/2017)
"Well organized event" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is an excellent, well organized event. The expo is old school with so many interesting booths and products. Package pick up is effortless and The shirts are always nice with a variety of sizes. The marathon course is not as well thought out as the half, and I will admit I enjoyed running the half course more than the full. Also, the full course definitely has more hills going up than the first half of the course. However, overall the medals are beautiful and the course support was great! Big shout out to the enthusiastic announcer at the finish line. This is a must do marathon especially if you are a first timer. They really make you feel special. | |
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sanjay mohanta from ottawa, ON
(5/2/2016)
"My 81st marathon! Woo Hoo!" (about: 2016)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Mississauga Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I have run races from here since it started in 2004. I felt now as I do now that it is Canada's best kept secret. The expo features plenty of freebies compared to others I have been to this year (including TO Goodlife). That being said the expo seemed a bit of a let down this year. In the past I got a free bag of soil there now I did not. To paraphrase the experience it is like having Mayor McCallion speak prior to the race start and having Mayor Crombie speak. Apologies to US runners. There are aid stations every 2 km. The course features a net downhill with plenty of rolling hills. It was a cold and wet race this year with strong winds near the end. There seemed to be less volunteers and the gels were gone by the time I got the stations. The medal was nice but I had to track it down myself since the volunteers were handing out 2 k medals. I saw some 2k finishers taking the full marathon medals and taking lots of food home leaving less for full marathoners. More volunteers could stop that. The shuttle buses were good and free. Lots of maniacs and fanatics present which is good especially during a Canadian race. | |
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Sanjay Mohanta from Ottawa, ON
(5/4/2015)
"67th marathon! Why are you NOT doing this race!!" (about: 2015)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Mississauga Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 There is a reason I keep coming back to this race. The expo was amazing. Lots of goodies (Cold FX, sunglasses, lots of free food, etc., - even soil!), lots of volunteers and easy bus service from start to parking lot. This is one of the better races in North America and I still shake my head as to why they run it on the same day as the TO marathon. Maybe one should move to the second weekend so we get a marathon every weekend for the first three weekends in May in the GTA? Great to see so many maniacs that run this race. | |
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Sanjay Mohanta from Ottawa, ON
(5/6/2014)
"55th Marathon! Canadian Race Directors take note!" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Mississauga Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is a very well organized course. Porta potties every 2k with water stations, lots of volunteers and an excellent race expo with lots of goodies. I did this race when it started in 2004 and I was impressed then. I think the other race in TO should schedule theirs on a Saturday and do a double in the city. A good race for beginners. The only complaint was the lack of parking at Square One for runners. | |
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T. C. from Ottawa, ON Canada
(5/25/2013)
"Nice small friendly race" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mississauga Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Well organized and fun small marathon race. With proper training and weather on your side BQ`s are possible. :) pros -nice t-shirt -plenty of water stations -good post race refreshments (incl. chocolate milk and hamburgers) cons -course has some decent rolling hills (noticeable in the last 15k) :) | |
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S. M. from Ottawa, ON
(5/6/2013)
"46th Marathon!!!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Mississauga Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 My 46th marathon! This was the tenth year of the race and it is easy to see why the race is so popular. It is very well organized and the race kit was filled to rim with goodies including soil! The shirt was nice but I think after running 42.2k I would want everyone to know. The yellow colour begs for Charlie Brown zig zag. Really. The course was pleasant and there were plenty of water stations (every 2k). The station at 6k and 4k had trouble stocking water for the runners which was a bit disappointing. More adult supervision needed is my guess as I didn't see any around. Plenty of power gels and porta toilets as well. My only complaint is the booking on the same day as the Goodlife TO marathon. A week apart would work for me but and even better idea is to have the races a day apart - A Maniac challenge! The coolest part of the race was having the race announcer say that I was the happiest and most charismatic runner on the course. He gave away my secret weapon - JOY!!! |
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