It's another one of those marathon weekends around Toronto.
Three weeks after we got through the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, this Sunday brings us the Toronto Marathon. And what a contest these are: thousands of straining, skinny, sweating people against angry motorists the elements, testing their personal limits. Good luck to all. May you all run p.b.'s, and finish upright and smiling, as they say.
I just have one question: why do we need and what have we done to deserve two of these each fall? Wouldn't it make more sense to have one blowout race weekend, rather than two that refuse to acknowledge each other's existence, split the audience in the midst of an apparent "running boom", and alienate and inconvenience the non-runners in the city twice as much?
I come at this not from that latter fist-shaking, horn-honking perspective, but as someone who has run both of these hometown events, as well as big-party, once-a-year megathons like Ottawa, New York and Boston. My suggestion: Take the first half of the Waterfront course, add the second half of the Toronto course and presto -- the best of both worlds, or at least the more interesting, less desolate parts of such. Put it on one weekend in October, when the weather is cool but not yet frigid. Consolidate the sponsors and the charitable organizations that are the real beneficiaries. Maybe then you'll have a marathon that deserves to be ranked with the New Yorks and the Chicagos and the Londons -- one that people around town would come out and cheer instead of endure.
Click here for Sunday's road closure info.
Some other links to follow:
Mark Whicker, one of my favourite sports columnists, offers his take on Thursday's blown call in Chicago (via the National Post), while Mike Downey of the Chicago Trib imagines the trial of A.J. and out in Orange County, they're bloggin' mad about that Doug Eddings umpire guy. Meantime, Rich Griffin has the Astros and St. Louis, all tied up.
Uh-Oh. This just in. ALCS, cancelled (thanks to Pete for the link). Still on TV, have lookee at this new one, surely on the way to TSN.
Yawn. Another day, another Sepp Blatter rebuttal.
In the NBA, Jim Byers looks at Raptors hopeful Tierre Brown, while over at Team Sun, Steve Buffery has an update on Joey Graham's scary knee trouble.
Next up for the lurching Argos: Winnipeg. (Hope it snows, and they wear those new old unis.)
Canada's Christine Sinclair is up for FIFA world player of the year. And here's your draw for next month's World Cup qualification playoffs.
Punter's corner: Here we go again. You can go to the Linebacker. Or Chris Schultz (who says he's feeling "fat, stupid and lazy" from watching too much football -- Chris, there's no such thing as too much football. As for that feeling, welcome to the club, podner). Or Randall. But only here can you get five Pro-Line picks that you can't get anywhere else. And for good reason. (For entertainment purposes only -- though how can you be entertained after backing the Ravens last week -- and not to be used as the basis for wagers -- what, us wager? Never! We play Pro-Line! I know wagers, sir, and you, Pro-Line, are no wager! etc.)
CHI H win 2.0 over MINN: Oh hell. Let's get this one out of the way first. The rules: Insert your own line here, and win a prize. All entries must include the term "Fred Smoot".
NYJ at BUF tie 3.1: On this week's Antiques Roadshow: Late 19th century Meissen cherub figurines; Edison Co. cylinder phonograph; Vinny Testaverde.
CLE V win 3.0 at BAL: After Ravens' 21-penalty, two-ejection loss to Detroit last week, coach Brian Billick cracks down, orders two-a-day Sudoku sessions.
TOR V win 1.9 at WPG: "I'll take Bombers history for $100, Alex."
"The answer is, Troy Westwood in a barless helmet and retro golden boy uniform."
"What is 1952?"
"You're right!"
SD at OAK tie 3.1: After spending bye week as High Times guest editor, Randy Moss returns to follow in the glorious footsteps of previous bye-week stars Kyle Orton and the Vikings (and you thought we were going to spring a lame Ricky Williams line on you.)
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