CITY CLERK Clause embodied in Report No. 5 of the Economic Development and Parks Committee, as adopted by the Council of the City of Toronto at its meeting held on June 24, 25 and 26, 2003. 13 Establishment of an Official Toronto Marathon (Various Wards) (City Council on June 24, 25 and 26, 2003, adopted this Clause, without amendment.) The Economic Development and Parks Committee recommends the adoption of the report (May 23, 2003) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism. The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism to report to the Economic Development and Parks Committee on the usage of City facilities, i.e., Centennial Park and the Downsview site, for such events. The Economic Development and Parks Committee submits the report (May 23, 2003) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism: Purpose: To report on the designation of “official” being designated on one of the two marathons being produced in the City of Toronto and related issues. Financial Implications and Impact Statement: There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report. Recommendations: It is recommended that: (1) the City of Toronto not designate an “official” marathon in the City as there are presently two marathons, the Toronto Waterfront Marathon and the Toronto Marathon; (2) the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to review the support being given to the two marathons and determine if there are any means by which the City of Toronto can assist such marathons based on the positive economic impact marathons bring to the City; Toronto City Council2 Economic Development and Parks Committee June 24, 25 and 26, 2003 Report No. 5, Clause No. 13 (3) both marathons be permitted to occur as scheduled in 2003 and 2004 and the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to work with the event producers to move one of the marathons to a spring month in the year 2005; and (4) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto. Background: The date for the 2003 Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Sunday, September 28, 2003. The marathon has been produced for the past three years. The run course is primarily held on the Lakeshore Drive starting at Metro Hall proceeding east to Woodbine Avenue, then west to Windermere and then east to the finish at Metro Hall (see Attachment No. 1). Prior to the introduction of the marathon course, the race director had been producing a half marathon and a 5 KM race since 1990 in the City of Toronto. The Toronto Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2003. Going into its ninth year, other races produced on the day of the marathon include a half marathon 5 KM run and a relay challenge. The marathon course starts in the former City of North York until it heads south to the City of Toronto where it finishes at Queen’s Park Circle (see Attachment No. 2). The first marathon produced in the City of Toronto was in 1978. Neither marathon has been endorsed as the City of Toronto’s “Official” marathon. There is no Toronto Policy that allows for such a status. The City of Toronto does have a set of guidelines governing the issuing of Proclamations. They are issued by the Mayor and the Protocol Office upon request to designate a special day, week or month to recognize the value and importance of an event, campaign or organization that is significant to Toronto IE National Flag day, Jazz week, volunteer week, etc. The Province of Ontario only uses the term of “Official” when there is an “official visit” by a head of state. The province does not issue proclamations. To do so, would require an Order of Council, which is a cabinet document signed by the Lieutenant Governor. If the City of Toronto wishes to pursue the “Official” status, a policy would have to be created. The issues of marathons in the City of Toronto first surfaced at the Economic Development and Parks Committee meeting held on May 15, 2000. The key issue was allowing a second marathon to be given a permit to proceed even though there was an existing marathon. The Committee recommended that the “Canadian International Marathon (now known as the Toronto Marathon) and the Waterfront Marathon take place in the year 2000 as scheduled” and “any permit application submitted to the City of Toronto that meets the City’s criteria be granted”. Since that meeting and decision, both events have continued to exist and grow in terms of participation numbers. Toronto City Council3 Economic Development and Parks Committee June 24, 25 and 26, 2003 Report No. 5, Clause No. 13 As previously noted, the Toronto Marathon has been in existence for nine years; the Toronto Waterfront Marathon for three years. For the past three years the participation numbers for the two marathons have steadily increased (see Table 1). Table 1 Comparison of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon and Toronto Marathon Participation Numbers for the years 2000 - 2002 Toronto Year Waterfront Marathon Toronto Marathon Participation Numbers Participation Numbers 2000 600 1,842 2001 700 2,006 2002 800 2,074 Both marathons also feature a half marathon and a 5 KM run which are also steadily growing. See Table 2 for a comparison of the participation numbers. Table 2 Comparison of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon and Toronto Marathon half Marathon and 5 KM Participation Numbers for the years 2000 - 2002 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Toronto Marathon Year Half Marathon and 5 KM Half Marathon and 5 KM Participation Numbers Participation Numbers Half Marathon 5 KM Half Marathon 5 KM 2000 3,000 1,000 2,888 - 2001 3,100 800 3,181 - 2002 3,600 900 4,120 562 Both Marathons have a high number of participants coming from outside the Toronto area. The majority comes from Southern Ontario and the United States. On average the two marathons draw from another 30 countries worldwide. An average of 1,000 volunteers are used by the marathon on the day of the race. Volunteers are drawn from the local community, the school system, running clubs and for profit and not for profit organizations. Significant emphasis is put on event marketing and partnerships as both Event Producers work with well over 20 radio TV and print media partners. Local hotels and restaurants put their support behind their events with discounted room rates and restaurant specials. The Toronto Waterfront Marathon has five official charities, 20 recognized charities and 14 sponsors. Since 1997, over $700,000.00 has been raised for these charities. This number represents all donations collected at all races produced prior and including the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Toronto City Council4 Economic Development and Parks Committee June 24, 25 and 26, 2003 Report No. 5, Clause No. 13 The Toronto Marathon has seven charitable partners and 37 sponsors. Two and a half million dollars has been raised for the organizations since 1995. Athletics Canada, the governing body of running in Canada and the Association of International Marathons sanction both races. Various organizations will deem a particular marathon as their marathon of choice for raising funds for charity. The Toronto Marathon is the host marathon for the Canadian Marathon and Half Marathon Championships 2003 – 2005. Participants in these marathons can use their finishing times to qualify for the Boston Marathon, the running world’s version of the “Super Bowl”. The comparison of these two events shows the fact that they provide similar benefits to the City in terms of tourism and support to community agencies and most importantly they continue to grow. The only issue still somewhat outstanding is the fact that both marathons still exist within one month of each other. However, since these events are run by private producers and there is no City by-law in place restricting the number of road races or the date the race is to held the final decision remains with the event producer. The only other major North American City that hosts two marathons is Chicago. A marathon is produced in the month of May and the month of October. Both marathons have very different run courses. The Lakeshore Marathon in May primarily focuses the run course along the waterfront. The Chicago Marathon held in October runs through the waterfront and various Chicago neighbourhoods. The key difference between the two events is the participation numbers. The maximum number of participants allowed at the Lakeshore Marathon is 2,500 as opposed to 40,000 at the Chicago Marathon. The spring and fall marathon dates benefit both marathons, as they do not draw from the same clientele exploring the opportunity of participating in a marathon. In this case, a runner will pick the race based on the spring or fall date. Participants will generally avoid the summer months for marathon participation due to the higher temperatures and humidity. Summer road races range in distance from 5 – 15 KM. City staff from Transportation, Police Services, Fire Services, Emergency Medical Services, Tourism and if need be, other departments assist the marathon producers with their planning. This design has allowed for their event to occur with the best case of minimal disruption to the public and businesses located along the marathon routes. Traffic management continues to be the only negative impact for these events and any other special events or festivals requiring a road closure. Right-of-Way Management sets up a special telephone complaint hotline during each marathon.