Is GLO Toronto Night 5K, 10K and Half Marathon Run a Scam?

Major Red Flags

• Constant Date Changes: The event was originally advertised for earlier dates (such as August 23) but has been repeatedly pushed back—most recently to October 4—seemingly to keep collecting registration fees from unsuspecting runners.
• Logistical Impossibilities: The organizers claim the race takes place at Toronto's Exhibition Place and downtown on a busy weekend, which would require massive city permitting that does not exist. Furthermore, their updated schedule lists the race times during the early morning despite advertising a "glow-in-the-dark" night run, and claims the packet pickup expo occurs during the race itself.
• Fake Sponsorships: The website lists major brands like Canadian Tire and Ciele as sponsors, but local running community members who reached out to these companies confirmed they have no affiliation with the event.
• Stolen Imagery: Reverse-image searches of the photos used on the GLO Toronto website reveal they are stock images or photos stolen from completely unrelated running events in other countries.
• Zero Communication & No Refunds: The organizers do not respond to emails or inquiries. Their official GLO Toronto FAQ page explicitly states a strict "no refund" policy, protecting them when participants realize the event is fake.

What to Do If You Registered

1. Contact Your Bank: Immediately call your credit card company or bank to dispute the charge as fraudulent and request a chargeback.
2. Report the Event: File an official fraud report with the BBB Scam Tracker and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to help get the website taken down.
3. Report Their Social Media Accounts.