The Course

The course is 5000m (5k) long. This has been accurately measured by us with a professional measuring wheel. The course is at Downsview Park, Toronto. The course is run entirely on tarmac paths. Some sections of the course may accumulate mud, leaves and puddles after rain. Dependent on availability, marshals will be at key sections of the course, or signs will be in place.

Please remember that the parkrun uses shared paths. For the continued success of the event, please give way to other park users. This won't hurt your time, it won't stop you from getting a PB and it will make sure everyone continues to enjoy the event.

Please, wherever possible walk, jog, cycle or use public transport when attending the event. If you do have to drive, please consider car-sharing to reduce our impact on both the environment and other park users. Please also watch out for other park users when arriving and leaving. Parking may be limited so try to arrive early.

Course Safety

Downsview parkrun is a fun, free event organised by volunteers for the benefit of everyone. We wish to make the event as safe as possible, so participants, spectators and helpers are asked to take care about the following:

  • Please be considerate to the park and other park users at all times.
  • Children under the age of eleven must be accompanied (within arm's reach) throughout the run by a parent, guardian or appropriate adult of the parent's choice.
  • Please arrive by foot, by pedal-power or by public transport if you can - your efforts help to reduce our impact on the park and the planet.
  • Please consider volunteering to help occasionally - this event survives only because of your generosity - please visit the volunteer page for more information.
  • Take care near roads and car parks - some vehicles drive very quickly. Please congregate away from the cars and be careful in particular if you have children. If you’re driving to the run, please drive carefully even if you’re late!
  • Take care on uneven surfaces – whether on grass or on tarmac. Watch out for cyclists, other participants, pedestrians, children, dogs, wildlife, park animals, vehicles, park maintenance work, falling branches, bollards, posts and other obstacles around the course.
  • Please ensure that you are fit enough to walk, jog, run 5k (3.1 miles) with us.
  • If you see someone with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible.
  • If you’re watching, keep clear of participants on the course, and look after any children and dogs you may have with you.
  • It is not permitted to run with a pushchair and a dog at the same time.
  • Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. Consider protecting yourself by wearing repellent when at parkrun events in grassy or wooded areas. See lymediseaseuk.com for further details.
  • You are welcome to take part with one dog by your side, within reach at all times, on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead. Please also see this Support Site entry for further details about parkrunning with dogs.
  • parkrunners pushing buggies are welcome, but please take care of others around you and do your best to start at an appropriate place in the field for your pace.

We hope these tips help to ensure that Downsview parkrun is fun and safe for everyone.

Age Grading

All parkrun events use Age Grading to help parkrunners compare results.

Age Grading takes your time and uses the world record time for your sex and age group to produce a score (a percentage). This score allows you to compare your personal performance against other people's performances even though they might be a different age and a different sex to you - the higher the score the better the performance. The scores can also be compared across different race distances - to allow you to, for example, compare a 5km time against a marathon.

For more information, please see our Support page.

Course Map

Course Description

This is a 2.5 lap course, run entirely on asphalt. Path is maintained throughout the winter but can still be covered in snow and ice. The start line is on the main circuit path, at the north end of the lake. Participants then take a left turn a few hundred metres after the start, running the loop anti-clockwise. All turns are clearly marked.
The start and finish are close to the car park at 70 Canuck Avenue.

Facilities

There are portable toilets in the car park. There is also a children’s play area near the car park. Participants who have items they would like to leave whilst you are out on the course can leave them at the finish area at their own risk.

Getting There

Location of start

The event starts close to the North Plaza installation circle - a two minute walk into the park from the 70 Canuck Avenue car park.

Getting there by public transport

Take the TTC Line 1 subway or GO train to Downsview station. Exit the station at the WEST entrance and walk up Vitti St and cross over to the Shepherd Av West at Bakersfield St Westside bus stop and take the 84A or 106 bus. Alight at Shepherd Av West at Keele St stop. It is then a four minute walk to the finish area where we all meet beforehand. The walk south from the station to the start area is 1.5km. Exit the Downsview GO / TTC station from the WEST entrance. Then take the pedestrian path to the left of the roundabout which will take you on the RIGHT hand side of the large Downsview Farmers Market building. At the end of the Downsview Market building, cross straight over Carl Hall Road, keeping the next set of buildings on your LEFT side. Follow the road alongside the building and at the end of the road there will be a right hand turn. Follow that into the park and go left along the circular path and take the second left down to the main asphalt circuit path. Once you meet the main asphalt path, turn right and walk downhill a couple of hundred metres where you will see parkrun banners at the finish line. Volunteers will guide you to the start.

Getting there on foot

Volunteers and participants all meet at the finish line at the North Plaza installation circle - a two minute walk from 70 Canuck Avenue. Shortly before the start time, all participants will be guided to the start line. If you are coming from the west side of the park on foot, the start line can be found at the north end of the lake.

Getting there by road

Program Sat-Navs to 70 Canuck Avenue, M3K 2C5, North York Toronto. This is near the corner of Keele St. and Sheppard Ave. West, just north of the 401. Accessible from Keele St. or from Allen Expressway to Sheppard Ave. West.

There are approx. 30 - 40 spaces at 70 Canuck Ave.

Post Run Coffee

Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in Tim Hortons, 3288 Keele St, North York - please come and join us!