About the Rats

The Rats started in 2002. A group of spirited runners from Toronto were training for that spring's Ottawa Marathon as part of the Commerce Court Running Room's training clinic (back when there was a Running Room in Commerce Court). After the race, the group just kept on running together, coming up with the name that summer and boasting a whole dozen members. By the winter, Rat Tuesdays were officially a thing, and the rest is history. Twenty years later, we're still running strong through the Financial District on Tueday evenings. Here's to twenty more!

Gallery

Okay, we all tease Mike for holding his GoPro camera in his mouth when he runs. But the fact is, the guy gets some great photos out of it, so who are we to argue with success! Here's a sample of some of our adventures together.

We also have a presence on social media to share our runs and attract new runners. While the Facebook group is members only, our Instagram, X and Thread feeds are public. If you do not want your pictures or videos shared, please let us know.

30 or so Running Rats waiting for a traffic light at the corner of Church and Esplanade, in front a bar, appropriately enough
Close shot of two runners laughing while moving fast down Queen's Quay
Runners smiling and waving, heading over the wooden bridge at Trillium Park
A large group of runners crossing Queen's Quay at Yonge, the sun setting dramatically between condo towers behind them
Three runners moving through a park at sunset, too quickly to keep in focus
A woman running along the water's edge in the summertime, the downtown skyline behind her
A man running, laughing, past a graffiti mural in the east end of the city
A bunch of Rats taking a break to pose in the colorful Muskoka chairs on the downtown waterfront
Two runners, arms outstretched, headed north on the Trillium Park waterfront path
Two runners headed back to the meeting point through a downtown park in the summer evening
A group of Running Rats pose for a selfie in front of the Princes' Gates at Exhibition Place
Close up of speedy feet, running across Dundas at University, the sun shining behind
JC, one of our fast runners, mugs for the camera on the waterfront trail
Four runners cross the Queen Street bridge over the Don River at sunset
Two Running Rats, running side-by-side north over the Puente de Luz bridge, framed symmetrically by the elaborate yellow steel bridge structure

Join us every Tuesday!

Join us on our free weekly run! We meet every Tuesday at 6:15pm, inside the Eaton Centre, at the Compass Rose, near Alo Yoga, right above the water fountain. We run all year long, rain or shine, with 7K, 10K and 13K options and people running a range of paces every week. We're a friendly, inclusive group: all ages, genders and paces welcome. All we ask is that you can complete 7K comfortably.

Click here to learn more!