From InsideToronto.com

Competition wasn't just fierce for runners in this year's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, but for the neighbourhood cheering sections along the route as well.

Judges decided to take some extra time to decide the winners of the Sunday, Oct. 16 Neighbourhood Challenge, choosing to review event video and photo footage before confirming their results.

The Swansea-Bloor West-High Park neighbourhood cheering section garnered third place honours, it was learned on Tuesday, Oct. 25. It tied for third prize alongside the Beach cheering station. The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, champions in 2009, garnered top honours while Greektown finished in second place.

"We're really happy. It's nice to get a prize. The fact that we even got one is great," said Carol Walmsley of the Swansea cheering section. "The competition was really great this year. The judges had a very difficult decision. We're happy to tie for third."

Swansea, last year's champions, will receive $2,000 that will be shared among the Swansea Ratepayers' Association, the Swansea Community Recreation Centre and the Swansea Royal Canadian Legion. Twelve "dynamic" neighbourhoods duked it out to see who could create the best spectator cheering section to claim not only bragging rights, from the Humber River to the Beach, but to take home major prize money for their causes. First place honours came with a $6,000 prize.

The west and east end friendly rivalry was also driven by a personal challenge between Councillors Sarah Doucette (Parkdale-High Park) and Mary Margaret McMahon (Beaches East York) who were both out in person to exhort on the runners and their spectator groups.

"This year's challenge was just outstanding - by far the best we've ever had," said race director Alan Brookes in a statement. "I don't know if it was the cumulative momentum of the last few years, some great neighbourhood rivalries or the fact that we were all on national TV, but our neighbourhoods did us proud on the world stage. The crowds, the decor, the entertainment and the energy were fantastic across the 42-kilometre course. I'm just glad I didn't have to be a judge - I think they had the toughest job of all on race day."

The Swansea-Bloor West-High Park cheering section was stationed on the median along Lake Shore Boulevard at Windermere Avenue. This year's station included plenty of food and entertainment, even a flash mob.

"We had probably 30 per cent more people out this year," said Walmsley. "It was such a great community event."