Running in Toronto: The Queen City
- audreyubertino
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Cosmopolitan Toronto is the heart of the Golden Horseshoe, the huge megalopolis that stretches in a crescent shape around Lake Ontario. Running in Toronto means exploring a modern city with diverse architecture and a phenomenal number of skyscrapers. JOOKS offers 22 routes to discover the Queen City from every angle.
‘I love British Columbia because it's very beautiful, but I think Toronto is the best place because people from all over the world come together there,’ says Rupi Kaur, a Canadian poet, writer and feminist known by the nickname ‘Instapoet’.
The most populous city in Canada and capital of the province of Ontario, Toronto's colonial history began as a simple fortification called Fort Rouillé, built in 1750 by the French. Previously, the Iroquois inhabited the region, and the presence of indigenous peoples can be traced back nearly 10,000 years.
During the American Revolution, Toronto welcomed cohorts of British Loyalist settlers. This situation led to the Constitutional Act of 1791, which divided the Province of Quebec into two parts, establishing the colony of Upper Canada. In 1793, the site of Toronto was purchased by the British Empire—controversially—from the Mississauga people.
The city was then founded under the name York, which can still be found in the names of some of its current neighbourhoods, and quickly became the provincial capital. It did not become Toronto until 1834, the year slavery was abolished in Upper Canada. Its name comes from one of the rivers that flows through the city, now called the Humber. Very descriptive of its islands created by the confluence of the Humber and Don rivers, its name means ‘the place where tree roots dip into the water’ in a Mohawk dialect.
From Yorkville to the banks of the Don
As a financial, artistic, banking and commercial centre, Toronto is considered ‘one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world’. Indeed, it has historically played a role as a destination for immigrants, which is reflected in its inhabitants: it seems that they belong to ‘more than 200 distinct ethnic origins’ and ‘more than 160 languages’ are spoken there!
This cultural richness has given rise to numerous institutions, including museums, art galleries and festivals. During your stroll through Toronto, you can discover the Royal Ontario Museum in the Yorkville neighbourhood, which immediately catches the eye with its striking deconstructivist architecture. From there, you will be on the edge of Queen's Park, home to the Ontario Legislative Assembly!
As you climb Davenport Hill, you will discover the impressive Casa Loma, built in the early 20th century, which combines a variety of styles: Norman, Neo-Gothic, Scottish baronial...
Nearby, Rosedale and its trails along the banks of the Don River await you. You can even stop at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site, which features fully restored 19th-century buildings, including a former brewery. Then, along the river, heading up to the huge, modern Ontario Science Centre, you will find yourself in a pleasant wooded area. A refreshing walk perfect for summer days!
Old Toronto
Getting to the historic heart of the city is easy: when visiting Toronto, just keep an eye out for the CN Tower. A symbol of the city, this 553-metre-high tower dominates the harbour on Lake Ontario. It is the tallest tower in the western hemisphere! Used as a communications tower by various media outlets, you can visit its platform... and experience the thrill of looking down through its glass floor.
If you enjoy running at night, you will particularly appreciate the illuminated retractable dome of the Rogers Centre, at the foot of the tower. A true marvel of technology, it was the first motorised roof of its kind to be installed on a stadium!
Once you leave the harbour, you will have many options. One would be to head towards Fort York, the site of clashes related to the American invasions during the War of 1812. You could then head up to Chinatown, or take a detour to see Osgoode Hall, built around 1830 in the Palladian and Neoclassical architectural styles. It serves an important function, as it houses the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Ontario Divisional Court and the Law Society of Upper Canada!
Nearby, you will find the old City Hall and St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica, two iconic buildings. It would also be interesting to take the short ferry ride to the islands to enjoy the beaches of Hanlan's Point and Gibraltar, as well as the various parks they are home to. All this with a breathtaking view of the Toronto skyline!
Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from the CN Tower to the banks of the Don!
Find all the routes in the city of Toronto and more than 1,500 others on the JOOKS app.
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