Tune-up runs?

I hear there are tune-up runs for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where are they?

There are five tune-up runs this year leading into the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon: June 15 - Running Room at 2645 Yonge St.; July 6 - Running Room at 200 Bloor St. West High Park; July 27 - Running Room at 1977 Queen St. East, part of the Beaches Jazz Festival; August 17 - Running Room at 80 Thickson Rd. South, Whitby; September 14 - Running Room at 30 Wellington St. East Commerce Court.

Information can be found at: http://www.canadarunningseries.com/crs/index.htm [canadarunningseries.com]

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what IS a tuneup run?

Well, I don't feel like an idiot at all! Apparently, NO ONE knows what it is. :)

I'm going to one in September, and here's what I gather from the signup stuff:

It gives you a chance to meet other runners, and a training run led by the official pacers. They will have a speaking thing where experts give a pep talk, information and tips. They also have sales reps from some of the sponsors -- notably Adidas -- who will let you check out their wares. You can try on Adidas and even run that day's run in a pair to test them out. Then free drinks for runners.