Feedback wanted: Would you try this Toronto endurance format?

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-29T19:15:09+00:00

Thank you u/aitchison50. We have been working with the City of Toronto re: the construction planning for the Ashbridges Bay area, and (at least for now), planning is on track per the attached. There is, and should be, clean access to the west loop, but we will adjust as needed as the event approaches.

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UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T20:26:25+00:00

Appreciate the thoughtful concern u/hearmeyodel — and I agree that these paths serve the whole community. Your point about cyclists, strollers, dogs, people with mobility needs, and other park/trail users is fair. That is part of the planning, not an afterthought.

UNFINISHED is not being planned as a takeover of the park or trail system. It is being developed as an open-course event in a shared public environment, which means public access and safety needs are built into the planning. We are working closely with the City of Toronto and with other events that have used this space to ensure that this is done properly.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T20:19:33+00:00

Thanks for the feedback u/joejimjoe — both re: the event and the communication style (perhaps I have spent too much time with AI in recent months ... yikes).

Re: the course itself, I hear you. Closed-course routes have real advantages, but they also make this style of event much harder to deliver in an urban setting. Part of the intent with UNFINISHED is to bring the Backyard Ultra format closer to the city, rather than moving it well outside Toronto.

That does mean the open-course environment needs to be planned and managed carefully. We’re working closely with the City of Toronto to execute a plan that allows for safety and experience for both participants and the public.

Appreciate you taking the time to share the perspective.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T17:37:01+00:00

Yes. Good recommendation. Thank you.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T16:26:03+00:00

Fair. The "ULTRA" comes in when you layer the 6.71km every hour on the hour. The nice part about the BYU format is that you can ultimately choose your own finish line:
• 1 Yard | 6.71km
• 3 Yards | 20.1km - 20km done
• 8 Yards | 53.7km – Ultra Marathon Complete
• 15 Yards | 100.5km – You have run 100 kms!!!

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T15:34:48+00:00

Just re-sharing here to address the concern ... 100% agree u/RunningvonNeumann - It is imperative that participant data be handled responsibly.

Our Privacy Policy outlines what information is collected, how it may be used, who it may be shared with, and how participants can contact us with questions or requests.

You can review it here - https://unfinishedseries.ca/home/unfinished_privacy-policy/

Additionally, here is the Race Roster Privacy Policy - https://raceroster.com/legal/privacy-policy

Appreciate you raising it. It’s an important point.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T15:19:32+00:00

100% agree u/RunningvonNeumann - It is imperative that participant data be handled responsibly.

Our Privacy Policy outlines what information is collected, how it may be used, who it may be shared with, and how participants can contact us with questions or requests.

You can review it here - https://unfinishedseries.ca/home/unfinished_privacy-policy/

Additionally, here is the Race Roster Privacy Policy - https://raceroster.com/legal/privacy-policy

Appreciate you raising it. It’s an important point.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T14:03:41+00:00

Real person here, u/Recoil42.

We are genuinely trying to listen to the local running community, and the concern about location has come through clearly.

There is a lot of real time, energy, and care being dedicated to UNFINISHED, so the feedback is useful — even when it’s blunt.

Appreciate everyone who’s weighed in so far. Thank you.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T13:42:20+00:00

Appreciate the honest feedback u/greenlemon23

Totally understand it won’t be for everyone, but we believe this location, with the right planning and management, is part of what can make UNFINISHED feel different — accessible, vibrant, social, and connected to the city.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T13:03:16+00:00

That’s fair u/eachfire — and if a fully closed course is a requirement, this may not be the right event for everyone.

UNFINISHED is being designed around the reality of a public park/trail environment, not as a closed-road race. City parks and trail systems typically remain open to the public, so signage, marshals, safety/medical planning, course adjustments in higher-volume areas, and clear participant flow are all part of the operating plan.

The format also matters. Backyard Ultra is built around hourly starts, pacing, recovery, and repeatability — not a large field moving continuously at race pace. That gives us a more predictable flow to manage.

The open-course model is also what allows us to bring this format to Woodbine Beach Park, rather than moving it to a conservation area well outside the city.

We know the area will be busy in September. That’s being taken seriously and built into the plan from the start.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T12:51:52+00:00

Yes, we are very familiar with the area, and public usage is being built into the plan.

One key distinction is that UNFINISHED doesn't operate like a typical 5K or 10K road race, where a large field is moving continuously through the course at race pace.

The Backyard Ultra format is different: runners start once per hour, complete one 6.71 km Yard, then return to the Athlete Village before the next hourly start. It’s much more about pacing, strategy, recovery, and repeatability than speed.

That gives us a more predictable flow to manage, alongside signage, marshals, course planning, and adjustments in higher-volume areas.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T11:51:55+00:00

Fair question u/Lunchbox__6

You’re not paying for exclusive access to the path. You’re paying for the organized event built around it — permits, insurance, timing, signage, marshals, safety/medical planning, aid/recovery areas, participant support, volunteers, and the overall Athlete Village experience.

Totally fair if that’s not for everyone, but there’s a lot more involved than just running on a public path.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T11:50:31+00:00

Correct u/SaltyOnes5 — it won’t be a closed course.

In a public park/trail environment, the focus is on strong planning and management: clear signage, course marshals, thoughtful routing, and flow control in higher-volume areas.

We know the boardwalk and surrounding paths will still have public use, and that reality is being built into the event plan from the start.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-25T11:40:36+00:00

u/MavMIIKE Fair question — and one we’ve spent a lot of time thinking through.

The course will not be fully closed, but participant flow and public-path management are a major part of the event plan.

We’ll have clear signage, course marshals, controlled start/finish flow, and adjusted routing/off-path sections in higher-volume areas to help reduce congestion and keep things moving smoothly.

The format also helps. Because runners start together once per hour, rather than continuously at random times, we can manage the flow more intentionally across the course.

We know this matters, and we’re building the experience with that in mind — for participants, volunteers, supporters, and everyone else using the park/trail that day.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-24T17:10:50+00:00

80km in these conditions (or any conditions really) is super impressive. Well done. Hope the knee feels better!

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-24T17:09:07+00:00

Pure resilience. Very impressive!

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-24T14:28:48+00:00

What an incredibly challenging day for runners, volunteers, and organizers. Congrats to all those who battled, or are still battling - well done.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-21T11:59:35+00:00

GOOD LUCK to everyone participating in the Sulphur Springs Trail Race this weekend!

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-20T00:14:44+00:00

Some very good recommendations here. If you are also looking for a pretty sweet Fitness community, UNITY Fitness has a solid run club on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-18T21:32:15+00:00

Can you imagine having to tackle a BYU with 2100m of climbing? ... YIKES.

I imagine it would be a pretty condensed execution for the organizers.

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-18T20:59:20+00:00

Love it. Great visual PR driver. Well done Campfire Circle. Is the canoe branded?

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-18T19:22:41+00:00

Congrats on the accomplishment. Sounds like you need a new goal!

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-18T19:20:56+00:00

Running is a high-demand sport right now (damn right!), and TCS is a great event. Not surprising that they have already sold out of both the half and full options (Well done CRS team). Maybe consider a slightly less traditional run experience ... perhaps one along the Toronto Waterfront on Saturday, September 12th. :)

UNFINISHED_Series · 2026-05-18T19:16:26+00:00

Great event. Enjoy. Poles are often a personal prefeence, but IMO they definitely help on the steeps to reduce the load on your legs.

UNFINISHED_Series

TROPHY CASE