Most people show up to a marathon in running gear. Bridget Burns shows up dressed as a pilot, railroad engineer, zookeeper, and soon, a construction worker.
A Toronto runner with several Guinness World Records to her name, Bridget has built a reputation for taking on some of the most unique challenges in road racing. She has set records in categories such as fastest half marathon dressed as a railroad engineer and fastest marathon dressed as a zookeeper, proving that determination, creativity, and a good costume can go a long way.
For Bridget, running in costume is about more than earning another record. It changes the race experience — for her and for the people cheering along the route. Kids get excited, the crowd gets louder, and that energy helps carry her through the hardest stretches. “It inspires me to not quit,” Bridget says. “Sometimes you just want to walk and you don’t want to run.”
That mindset is exactly what makes Bridget’s support so meaningful. By choosing to raise funds for Daily Bread Food Bank at the 2026 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, she is bringing that same persistence and commitment to a crisis affecting thousands of people across Toronto. In 2025, there were over 4.1 million client visits to food banks in Toronto, a clear sign that too many neighbours are living in precarious circumstances.
Bridget’s advice to anyone thinking about fundraising is simple: start where you are. Register for the TCS Charity Challenge, set up a Race Roster pledge page, share why the cause matters to you, and invite your friends, family, and community to support you. Fundraising can be creative, meaningful, and even fun, whether you’re running a race, celebrating a milestone, or coming up with your own challenge.
As Bridget puts it: “Just don’t have any hesitation, just try your best.”
Learn more about how you can support Daily Bread and help fight food insecurity by hosting a fundraiser or food drive.
