AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 20, 2026
Surprise Engagement at Toronto Waterfront Marathon
What began as a memorable running milestone for Mississauga runners Shaarujaa Nadarajah and Gowsic Thevendran quickly became an unforgettable moment. During the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Thevendran surprised Nadarajah with a proposal mid-race, a gesture that has since gained attention across social media.
A Running Couple’s Journey
Nadarajah and Thevendran, both passionate about running, met in September 2024 after Thevendran relocated to Mississauga from Montreal for a job promotion. Their relationship blossomed over shared jogging routes along the waterfront and post-run pizza dates, eventually inspiring Thevendran to train for his first full marathon alongside Nadarajah, who had already been part of Toronto's running community and competed in events such as the New York City Marathon.
The Marathon Proposal: A Running Engagement
The 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon saw the couple plan to run the first half together before splitting at Bay Street, where Nadarajah would finish her half-marathon and Thevendran would continue with the full marathon. However, Thevendran had something special planned. As they approached a barrier near Bay and Wellington streets, he suddenly stopped and reached into his pouch—at first leading Nadarajah to believe he was grabbing an energy gel or was possibly injured. Instead, he revealed his intention to propose, catching Nadarajah completely by surprise.
Capturing the Moment: A Marathon Surprise
The proposal was meant to be captured by a photographer arranged by Thevendran, but a mix-up in the location almost derailed the plan. The photographer was stationed a street away where Thevendran originally intended to propose, but excitement led him to act spontaneously at Bay and Wellington. Acknowledging the rules that prevented him from running backward, Thevendran decided it was "now or never." Despite the unexpected shift, Nadarajah describes the moment as deeply genuine and joyful, feeling as if the moment belonged just to them amid the crowds and cheers.
Looking Ahead: More Marathons and Shared Goals
The couple’s journey doesn’t end with their engagement. Nadarajah, who has long dreamed of running all the major marathons in the world, hopes to continue competing with Thevendran. The pair may enter lotteries for races in Chicago or Berlin next year and have set their sights on the Paris Marathon as a future goal. Thevendran has also signed up for the Beneva Mississauga Marathon in April, with Nadarajah considering joining him for the race.
Inspiring Others through a Marathon Story
The surprise engagement has inspired well-wishers and fellow runners, and Nadarajah hopes their story encourages others to find partners who share and support their ambitions. For the couple, their marathon proposal marks not just a running milestone, but the beginning of a lifelong journey together both on and off the racecourse.
Source: nowtoronto.com.
