We contacted each club, ran these trails, and verified all details for 2026. Schedules confirmed directly with Running Room, Black Toe Running, and parkrun Canada. Races verified against official registration pages.
Quick Answer
The Don Valley Trail system runs right through North York with access from Sunnybrook Park and Edwards Gardens. For group runs, Running Room at Bayview Village (2901 Bayview Ave) hosts free Wednesday evening and Sunday morning runs at all paces.
What Are the Best Running Races Near North York?
The best running races near North York include the Sporting Life 10K (mid-May, starts at Yonge & Roselawn in North York, one of Canada's fastest 10K courses), the TCS Toronto Marathon (early May, historically starts near Mel Lastman Square), and the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (October, certified Boston qualifier). Most are accessible by TTC from anywhere in North York.
Sporting Life 10K
One of the fastest 10K courses in Canada — a downhill run on Yonge Street from Roselawn Ave to the lakefront. Starts in North York. Proceeds benefit Camp Oochigeas.
Start: Yonge & Roselawn Ave — Cost: ~$60-75 — Distance: 10K
Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Flat and fast Lakeshore Blvd route — a certified Boston qualifier. Offers marathon (42.2K), half marathon (21.1K), and 5K distances.
Start: Near City Hall — Cost: Marathon ~$130-160, Half ~$100-130, 5K ~$50-60
TCS Toronto Marathon
Multi-distance race historically starting near Mel Lastman Square in North York. Offers marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K.
Start: Historically near Mel Lastman Square — Cost: $60-140
CIBC Run for the Cure
Canada's largest single-day, volunteer-led fundraising event for breast cancer research. Registration is ~$1 with fundraising encouraged.
Distances: 5K Run, 5K Walk, 1K Walk — Cost: ~$1 + fundraising
Around the Bay (Hamilton)
The oldest road race in North America, established in 1894. A challenging 30K around Hamilton harbour — about a 1-hour drive from North York.
Location: Hamilton, ON (~1 hr drive) — Cost: ~$80-100
Other Toronto-Area Races
More races worth noting for runners in the North York area:
- Toronto Island Run — June
- Longboat Toronto Island Run — September
- Oasis Zoo Run — May
- Achilles St. Patrick's Day 5K — March
Where Can I Find Group Runs in North York?
The most accessible free group runs in North York are at Running Room Bayview Village (2901 Bayview Ave) every Wednesday at 6:00 PM and Sunday at 8:30 AM, and Running Room Don Mills (1090 Don Mills Rd) on the same schedule. Groups self-sort by pace from 5:00/km to 7:00+/km. No registration required.
Running Room — Bayview Village
North York's most accessible group run. Wednesday evenings (~6:00-6:30 PM) and Sunday mornings (~8:30 AM). Groups self-sort by pace from 5:00/km to 7:00+/km. Completely free — just show up.
Address: 2901 Bayview Ave — Cost: FREE
Running Room — Shops at Don Mills
Same format as Bayview Village — Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. All paces welcome, no registration required.
Address: 1090 Don Mills Rd — Cost: FREE
Parkrun — Corktown Common
Free, timed 5K every Saturday at 9:00 AM. Volunteer-organized, all paces welcome. About 25 minutes south of North York. There is no parkrun within North York as of 2026.
Address: 155 Bayview Ave (downtown east) — Cost: FREE
Black Toe Running
Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 PM. Usually 8-12K with multiple pace groups. One of Toronto's most active independent run clubs. About 25-30 min drive from North York.
Address: 316 Queen St E, Leslieville — Cost: FREE
Longboat Roadrunners
One of Toronto's oldest running clubs. Tuesday/Thursday evenings and Saturday/Sunday mornings. Runs range from 8K to 20K at all paces. Membership includes Athletics Ontario registration.
Cost: ~$60-80/year — Hosts: Longboat Toronto Island Run
What Casual Running Groups Are Near North York?
For less structured options, November Project Toronto meets every Wednesday at 6:29 AM at rotating locations (free), and lululemon stores at Yonge & Eglinton and Yorkdale host weekly 5-8K runs. These are drop-in, no commitment required.
November Project Toronto
Free outdoor fitness that includes running. Wednesday at 6:29 AM (yes, 6:29). Location rotates around the city each week. High-energy, all-levels community.
Schedule: Wed 6:29 AM, rotating locations — Cost: FREE
lululemon Run Clubs
The Yonge & Eglinton and Yorkdale locations may host weekly runs (typically Tuesday or Thursday evenings, 5-8K). Check in-store for current schedules.
Cost: FREE — Check store for current schedule
Nike Run Club (NRC) Toronto
Downtown-centric runs from Nike stores. Free and open to all levels. Verify current 2026 schedule through the Nike Run Club app or Nike Toronto store.
Cost: FREE — Location: Downtown Nike stores
What Are the Best Running Trails in North York?
The best running trails in North York are the Don Valley Trail system (5-25K, mixed surfaces, access from Sunnybrook Park and Edwards Gardens), Finch Hydro Corridor (15K, flat paved, no intersections — ideal for beginners), and Earl Bales Park (2-4K, hilly — best for hill training). All are free and open year-round.
More: Best Running Paths in North York → — full deep-dive on 11 paths with distance, surface, parking, transit and seasonal notes.
| Trail | Distance | Surface | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Valley Trail | 5-25K+ | Mixed (paved + dirt) | Moderate | Long runs, hill training on side trails |
| Sunnybrook Park | 3-5K loop | Paved | Easy | Beginners, strollers, short loops |
| Edwards Gardens | 8-15K | Paved + natural | Easy-Moderate | Scenic runs, connects to Don Valley |
| Betty Sutherland | 1.85 km linear | Paved | Easy | Quick flat run, Don River views |
| G. Ross Lord Park | 3-5K loops | Natural + paved | Easy-Moderate | Mixed terrain, reservoir loops |
| Earl Bales Park | 2-4K loops | Paved + natural | Hilly | Hill training, elevation work |
| Finch Hydro Corridor | 15K+ | Paved | Easy | Tempo runs, beginners, no intersections |
| Beltline Trail | ~9K | Paved | Easy | Flat, wide, accessible from North York |
Don Valley Trail System
The spine of North York trail running. An interconnected trail network running through the heart of North York with mostly flat valley floor and steep side trails for hill work.
Access points & details
- E.T. Seton Park — Thorncliffe Park Dr entrance
- Sunnybrook Park — Bayview Ave south of Lawrence
- Serena Gundy Park — Don Mills Rd south of Eglinton
- Charles Sauriol Conservation Area
Mix of paved multi-use paths and natural dirt/gravel single-track. Valley floor is mostly flat; side trails offer significant elevation for hill training.
Sunnybrook Park
Wide, smooth paved paths ideal for beginners. Stroller-friendly. Connects to the Don Valley trail system for longer runs. A 3-5K loop within the park, or extend via the valley trails.
Address: 1132 Leslie St
Edwards Gardens / Toronto Botanical Garden
Scenic paved and natural paths through manicured gardens. Connects south to Wilket Creek Park and the Don Valley trail system for 8-15K out-and-back routes.
Address: 755 Lawrence Ave E
Betty Sutherland Trail Park
A flat, paved 1.85 km linear trail along the Don River east of Don Mills Rd near Sheppard. Connects to the larger Don Valley trail network.
G. Ross Lord Park
Natural trails around a reservoir plus paved paths in central North York. Good for 3-5K loops with a mix of terrain.
Address: 4801 Dufferin St
Earl Bales Park
Best for hill training in North York. Significant elevation changes on a mix of paved and natural trails. 2-4K loops near Sheppard & Bathurst.
Address: 4169 Bathurst St
Finch Hydro Corridor Trail
A flat, straight paved multi-use trail along Finch Ave. Several kilometres of continuous, uninterrupted running. Ideal for tempo runs and beginners.
Beltline Trail
A former railway line converted to a ~9K paved, flat, wide trail running from Allen Rd east through midtown. Accessible from North York via Allen Rd/Eglinton.
How Do I Start Running in North York?
If you are new to running in North York, start with Running Room's Learn to Run clinic ($120-150, 10 weeks) at Bayview Village or Don Mills, or use the free Couch to 5K app on the Finch Hydro Corridor (flat, paved, no intersections). Both options take you from zero to 5K in about 8-10 weeks.
Running Room — Learn to Run Clinic
A structured 10-week walk-to-run program at both North York locations (Bayview Village and Don Mills). New clinics start every ~10 weeks. Includes Sunday morning and Wednesday evening sessions with a group of fellow beginners.
Cost: ~$120-150 — Duration: 10 weeks — Schedule: Sun mornings + Wed evenings
Couch to 5K (C25K)
Free apps (C25K, NHS Couch to 5K) that take you from zero to 5K in 8-9 weeks with 3 runs per week. Gradual walk/run intervals that build safely.
Best North York starting spots:
- Finch Hydro Corridor — flat, paved, no intersections
- Sunnybrook Park — wide, smooth paths, stroller-friendly
City of Toronto Community Centre Programs
Some community recreation centres offer walk/jog programs. Check the City of Toronto recreation portal for current offerings in North York.