The Running of the GO

Around this time of the year over in Pamplona, Spain there is an annual event that draws attention from all over the world known as the “Running of the Bulls”. While being a bizarre and dangerous spectacle it clearly creates tremendous publicity for the city and one would think significant revenue as well. However right here in the GTA and Central Ontario we have a similar event that occurs just about every weeknight that perhaps could use some publicity and exploitation as well. Specifically I am referring to the occurrence known as the “Running of the GO”.

For anyone from Burlington to Brampton to Barrie to Bowmanville that has had the pleasure (?) of riding the GO train to get home from their jobs in Toronto, the Spanish spectacle that has people gored and trampled by marauding bulls must hit close to home. I say this because there is an eerie similarity between what is on the news and what occurs each day as the evening GO Train pulls into their station.

Just as I’m sure the participants in Pamplona likely spend time in advance mentally and physically preparing themselves to run the gauntlet with the bulls, you can see the sneaker-wearing, tote-bag clasping and car key jingling commuters psyching themselves up to be the quickest out the door once the train comes to a full stop. As soon as the train leaves the preceding station the normally mild-mannered accountants, brokers, admin assistants and even the odd C.F.O. huddle up to the door and then begin to jockey for position. When the door opens, you can almost hear Woodbine’s Dan Loiselle bellowing “And There off!” as the burning rubber emanates from the sneakers and it’s an all-out mad dash to get to the escalator, then to the car and out the lot first. One cannot diminish the significance of getting out of the lot 90 seconds before someone else when there is still dinner to make, kids to change and soccer practice starting in an hour. No sir, the challenges that suburbanites face on a daily basis provide them the strength of a bull and if you are likely to be in there way…watch out!!

Perhaps Tourism Ontario should consider marketing this phenomenon to those in the rural parts of the country. We can take this message to our American friends as well. We would have more opportunities to satisfy the curious given the sheer frequency of the event. We could invite tourists to pay for a round trip GO Train ticket and then immerse themselves in the entire experience. It truly is a site to see and one that compares favourably with the Running of the Bulls yet could be seen at a fraction of the cost. What thrill seeking tourist could say no to that?