Friends to Walk The Line from Kennedy to Kipling subway stations today
BY JESSICA SHACKLETON
Walking is a free and easy way to get exercise, catch up with friends, and explore new neighbourhoods. Friends Samantha Ruth and Amanda Gracia are leveling up their walk by walking all of the Bloor-Danforth Subway Line today (Saturday, Sept. 5), starting at Kennedy Station in Scarborough and heading west.
Last year, they walked from Union Station to Finch along the Yonge-University Line and were ready for another challenge. For today’s walk, the duo will be raising money for Out of The Cold.
“We were inspired by a friend who was fundraising for SickKids. We loved the idea of combining something we already enjoy doing with a good cause, so we thought: if we’re going to be walking anyway, why not use all those steps to raise some money and make a difference?” Ruth told Beach Metro Community News in a recent interview.
Out of the Cold is a foundation that operates as a food bank and provides hot meals. Please visit the fundraising page for more information and to make a donation: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/samanda-walk-fundraiser-for-ootc
The TTCs Bloor-Danforth line (Line 2) runs from Kennedy Station in Scarborough to Kipling Station in Etobicoke and is approximately 26 kilometres long. According to Google Maps, it takes just under an hour to ride the entire subway line and six hours to walk the route.
No matter how much one enjoys going for a stroll, that’s a long way. Ruth and Gracia have found that walking with a goal makes it more tolerable.
“Knowing that we’re walking for a cause makes the whole experience even more fun. We’re not just putting one foot in front of the other for hours. we’re doing it with a purpose,” said Ruth. “And when our legs start getting sore, it’s a lot easier to keep going knowing that every step is helping support the fight against food insecurity here in Toronto.”
From Kennedy Station and then Warden Station, they plan to make their way to Danforth Avenue and head west. They will then cross the Prince Edward Viaduct over the Don Valley Parkway, continuing onto Bloor Street all the way across to Kipling.
“Just like we did last year on Line 1, we’re planning to stop and get photos at every subway station along the way,” said Ruth.
Stops that run through Beach Metro’s coverage area along Danforth Avenue are Victoria Park, Main, Woodbine, Coxwell, Greenwood, Donlands, Pape, Chester, and Broadview.
Ruth’s favourite part of embarking on these journey is the chance to talk to her friend.
“There’s everything from ridiculous inside jokes and random conversations to catching up on what’s happening in each other’s lives. A long walk gives us plenty of time to talk about absolutely everything,” she said.
Anywhere is walkable if you’re committed enough, and walking along subway routes and across Toronto has become popular in recent years. During the COVID pandemic, going on an outdoor walk was almost the only thing to do, and people have found ways to make it more interesting.
Ruth and Gracia are just getting started with their extra-long walks and already have plans for more.
“We’d love to tackle the former Line 3, as well as Lines 4, 5, and 6. We’re also excited to see what else the future of Toronto’s public transit has in store for us. If there’s a new line or extension to walk, chances are we’ll be there,” said Ruth.
Ruth and Gracia plan to share photos of their walk today with Beach Metro Community News, and we will run more about it in our Sept. 22 edition of the paper.
