This past year was pretty cool for a race, and rainy. You never know what you're going to get the first weekend in May in Toronto, but it was actually great conditions for a fast race.

Registration and bib pick up was pretty easy. It wasn't very busy when I went which made it nice but I could see it being pretty crowded when registration first opens. I've been to a few expos, and this one was pretty lack luster. Not a ton going on or available. I heard a few other runners comment on the same thing.

I was not pumped about all the rain on the morning of the race, but there were buildings that we were allowed to wait in to stay warm right next to the starting line. That was pretty awesome. I managed to leave the building and walk out to the starting line with 3 minutes to spare and just take off.

There aren't a lot of turns on this race. You head straight down Younge St. towards the waterfront and then head west to Exhibition Place where the race ends. There's a short jaunt to the east through a very scenic neighbourhood named Cabbagetown. Personally, I loved it all. Younge St has so many different vibes to it that are constantly changing and there were a decent amount of people cheering you on considering the weather.

I had checked the elevation map before hand and it looked pretty downhill. There was supposed to be one major hill around kilometre 7 or 8 but it wasn't there. It was there a bit earlier at 4 or 5, but it wasn't that big so when I got to kilometre 9 and there wasn't another one, I was pretty excited to know I was done with hills and it would be level or downward most of the rest of the way.

If you want a fast race, I couldn't recommend this one more!! I also loved the free massage and physio after the race. I had an IT Band issue so I took advantage of this.

I've read some reviews that were not so favourable of this race, but I couldn't disagree more. Everything seemed to run really smoothly and it was a beautiful course. Not to mention the medals were pretty awesome. Would definitely do this one again.