The 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon brought together the best kind of team: seasoned marathoners, enthusiastic returners, and one courageous first-time racer.
Representing FirstService Residential and FirstService Corporation, the team laced up for a weekend that included a 5K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon—and crossed the finish line having raised $2,900 for the Daily Bread Food Bank, helping to support the fight against hunger in our communities.
The speedy team included runners from FirstService Residential and FirstService Corporation: David Diestel, Stacey Kurck, Phil Swaile, Ian Van Heyst, Ryan Bedrich, Jan Andrejuk, and Elizabeth Asiamah. Experience levels may have varied, but motivation was shared: show up, support each other, and run for something bigger than a finish time.
Ian Van Heyst pulled double duty over the weekend, running the 5K alongside first-timer Elizabeth Asiamah before completing the Half Marathon the following day. A veteran of more than a dozen marathons and half marathons combined, Ian shared simple advice for anyone thinking about starting: begin slowly, invest in good shoes, track progress, and always listen to your body.
Ryan Bedrich, returning to racing after a few years away, echoed that advice, especially for beginners. He suggests a walk-run approach, such as a 3K split evenly between walking and running, as a great way to ease into training.
For Elizabeth, the goal was straightforward: finish strong and enjoy the experience. “The energy from the participants and spectators was incredible,” she shared. “Being surrounded by people from all walks of life, all sharing the same experience, made it unforgettable.”
David Diestel may have summed it up best:
“It was wonderful to be with our team running—and suffering—through the great city of Toronto for such an important cause. I’ve already signed up for the 2026 race… though next time I might actually train for it.”
Looking Ahead: Join the FirstService Team for 2026
Planning is already underway for the October 2026 TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon, and registration is now open. Last year, the event sold out months in advance, so early registration is strongly encouraged.
We’ll once again be running in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank, and we’d love to have more colleagues join the FirstService team—whether it’s your first race or your fifteenth.
Click here to join the FirstService team
If you have questions or want more information, feel free to reach out to Ian Van Heyst at ian@firstservice.com.
Thinking About Running Your First Race?
If this story sparked even a tiny “maybe I could do that…” thought, here are a few quick tips to get started:
- Start small: Even running just 10–15 minutes a few times a week builds momentum.
- Use a training plan: Beginner plans and apps (like Couch to 5K or Strava) make it manageable.
- Get proper shoes: A professional fitting can make all the difference. Many running stores offer this complimentary service, and your feet will thank you.
- Be consistent: Treat runs like calendar appointments – you wouldn’t no-show to a meeting, would you?
- Focus on progress, not perfection: Your “win” is finishing, however long that takes you, and even if you need to slow down for walk breaks.
- Join a community: Training with colleagues or friends makes it more fun—and more motivating.
This event wasn’t just about kilometres logged or medals earned. It was about teamwork, community, and making a meaningful impact together. Congratulations to everyone who ran, supported, and cheered from the sidelines—and here’s to even more FirstService runners in 2026!