It was the energy of the crowd at his first marathon that got Toronto runner Tony Wu to sign up for another one: the 2025 Toronto Waterfront Marathon. But this time around, in addition to soaking up the vibes, the 31-year-old is chasing a bigger goal: qualifying for the 2027 Boston Marathon. To get there, he promised himself one thing–that he would train smarter and fuel more precisely. And he’s doing that, with the help of the Canadian‑built nutrition-tracking app, Cronometer.
Originally from Victoria, Wu now calls Toronto home–and says there’s no better city for chasing a running goal. His favourite place to run is the Martin Goodman Trail, specifically the stretch that extends west from Coronation Park. After first getting into running in 2020, Wu registered for the 2020 Vancouver Sun Run 10K–but when the race was cancelled due to COVID, Wu kept running anyway. With gyms closed and outdoor activity encouraged, running regularly quickly became a habit–and, with the help of Toronto run clubs, something he truly loved.
His first race was the 2022 Rev & Run 5K, where he beat his goal of sub-20-minutes. “It was incredible to see all my friends out there, racing and supporting me,” he told Canadian Running. He went on to make his marathon debut at the 2024 Ottawa Marathon, running 3:14 on a hillier course and in hotter temperatures than anticipated. “I wanted my next one to be the Toronto Waterfront, because of how amazing the energy is on the course from the supporters,” Wu continued. “I still get goosebumps when I look back at photos from my Toronto Waterfront half-marathon in 2023.”
For his age group, the 2026 Boston Marathon qualifying standard is two hours and 55 minutes. “That’ll be enough of a goal,” Wu said. “Sub-three hours is a big achievement–I don’t want to get over-ambitious. I have to be realistic about my fitness and experience.”
Even with a full-time job as a software developer, Wu’s remote schedule gives him flexibility to fit in his daily runs–but the fuelling component has been the biggest obstacle. “This is the first time I’ve been diligent about tracking my fuelling,” he said. “I used to just go with what I feel, but I never really knew if it was enough.”
Empowerment through accurate nutrition data
Since starting with Cronometer nearly a month ago, Wu says the insights have been eye-opening. “I finally feel like I’m hydrated properly, maintaining my macros and protein and following suggestions for supplementation,” he said. “The metrics and numbers are important for keeping me diligent about measuring my foods.”
He’s also learned the importance of recovery nutrition and consistency. “Recovery outside of workouts makes a big difference in helping me feel energized and ready for another training session,” he said, noting he was surprised at how much the app observed he was under-fuelling when it came to protein.
Designed with athletes in mind, Cronometer, trusted by more than 13 million users worldwide, supports Wu in three key ways: tracking precision nutrition, syncing training data and reinforcing recovery habits. The app tracks more than 80 nutrients using lab-analyzed data, and allows users to log meals quickly and easily using photo uploads or the barcode scanner, and seamlessly sync their training data with fitness apps like Garmin, Oura, Apple Health and Fitbit. With built-in reports and a database tailored to Canadian foods, it helps athletes spot trends, fine‑tune fuelling and recovery and optimize performance.
“The photo log is a great feature, especially when eating out,” Wu noted. “I can be a bit skeptical about technology, since it can often be pretty accurate–but still not completely accurate. With Cronometer, I’m impressed.
“It’s interesting that the app is Canadian and based out of Revelstoke, B.C.,” the runner added. “They’re not known for their tech in that area–which speaks on the strength of the team Cronometer has out there.”
Cronometer’s edge
Cronometer sets itself apart from competitors with unmatched accuracy and depth, tracking not just calories but the complete spectrum of micronutrients. That precision is why so many health professionals trust it. “ It’s also great to hear the stories about how dietitians and other professionals are promoting the app,” Wu said. “It means the info is accurate.”
Wu believes Cronometer will be key for him in building long-term habits. He’s now more aware about how nutrition supports his training, but also appreciates the accountability. “I still need it reinforced for now,” he admitted.
Approaching race day
As race day creeps closer, Wu feels more confident about fuelling, but like any runner chasing a big goal, he’s nervous about the thought of failure. “You dedicate all this time to a hobby,” he said. “So the thought of not achieving something is scary, and the idea of failing in public and in front of friends is hard. You can prepare all you want–but anything can happen.”
Still, he’s looking forward to race day: the streets of Toronto, the energy from his running partners and the countless cheer stations along the course. And like Wu, every runner has their own Boston to chase–whether it’s a PB, a distance milestone or simply feeling stronger on the run. Cronometer can help you fuel smarter, recover better, and get there faster. Start tracking today and see what precise nutrition can do for your performance.
