Mayoral candidate Rob Ford is proposing to keep marathons and runs off city streets following a weekend race that snarled downtown traffic.
Ford, who is leading in the polls, says Torontonians are frustrated with all the closures and the traffic delays they cause.
"If we have to use the roads maybe once or twice a year, people can understand it," he told CP24 Breakfast. "But I think we're using the roads one too many times and it's really frustrating for people trying to get in and out of the city."
Ford says marathons, runs and other events that shut down roads could be held in city parks, such as High Park or at Downsview Park.
"There's a lot of huge parks and bike paths," Ford says. "Let's just look at an alternative route."
He also said long runs could be held from James Gardens in Etobicoke and travel down to Lake Ontario from the Humber River.
Other candidates disagree. Joe Pantalone said Ford's idea shows he hasn't thought about what's good for the city.
"In order to run a marathon, you need… streets that are safe," Pantalone says. "He thinks all you have to do is go into a park with tiny paths and hills on the side, (there's) also trip hazards and trees. "It won't work, it can not work."
Rocco Rossi says Toronto should embrace races. He says a marathon in a park system would be logistically difficult.
"I think it's a small vision," said Rossi. "Lots of cities around the world have a signature marathon and I think Toronto should have a signature marathon."
Ford also told the Toronto Sun that motorists were miffed construction crews were not working on the Jameson Avenue bridge, where the Gardiner Expressway is down to two lanes due to construction. He told the Sun that crews should be working "24/7."
