Ben Flanagan observed the Chicago Marathon last weekend with a heightened focus, particularly for long-term research purposes and in readiness for his debut at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sunday. Reflecting on his competitors’ strong performances in Chicago, Flanagan, a Kitchener, Ont. native, acknowledged feeling a bit behind due to his relative newness to marathon running. However, he found encouragement in the success of runners with comparable backgrounds.
One standout competitor, Alex Masai of Kenya, achieved a personal best of two hours four minutes and 37 seconds to claim third place in Chicago. Masai’s recent performances, including a sixth-place finish at the New York City Half Marathon ahead of Flanagan, have influenced Flanagan’s approach to his first marathon. Despite initially setting a goal of 2:08 or 2:09 for the Toronto race, Flanagan adjusted his expectations due to a disrupted training schedule caused by a hip injury.
Flanagan, who previously competed in the 5,000 meters at the 2024 Olympics, emphasized a shift in priorities towards aiming for a successful Canadian championship win rather than a specific time goal. Noting past champions of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon like Justin Kent, Thomas Broatch, and Trevor Hofbauer, Flanagan’s coach, Jon Green, emphasized the importance of Flanagan enjoying the marathon experience and being competitive in the final stretch.
Acknowledging his challenging training journey, Flanagan, a former Canadian half marathon record holder, highlighted the significance of learning about marathon pacing and fueling strategies. With a support group of family and friends cheering him on in Toronto, Flanagan is prepared for a tough but rewarding race experience.
As Flanagan gears up for the Canadian championship pursuit, the absence of certain competitors like Broatch and John Gay opens up opportunities for runners like Andrew Alexander and Phil Parrot-Migas to challenge for the title. Flanagan remains focused on continuous improvement and aiming high in future races, drawing inspiration from top runners and his Olympic aspirations.
In the women’s marathon, athletes like Dayna Pidhoresky and Rachel Hannah are set to showcase their talents, adding to the competitive spirit of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Pidhoresky, a seasoned Olympian, and Hannah, a consistent performer in the 2:34 range, are expected to deliver impressive performances on race day.
