Ben Flanagan displayed a calm demeanor early in his debut 42.2-kilometer race, a key factor in his victory as the Canadian men’s champion at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sunday. Despite being satisfied with his race strategy, Flanagan acknowledged the need for improvement and mentioned plans to approach the course differently in the future.
During the race, Flanagan pushed too hard to distance himself from Andrew Alexander around the 25 km mark, which led to a challenging final 15 km of running solo. Reflecting on the experience, Flanagan admitted that the aggressive move took a toll on him in the later stages of the race.
Finishing in two hours 15 minutes 39 seconds, Flanagan clinched the Canadian title, outpacing Phil Parrot-Migas and Alexander. He finished 10th overall, trailing winner Leonard Langat, who led a Kenyan sweep of the top three positions.
Flanagan highlighted the benefits of racing alongside others in the windy conditions, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and support during challenging moments. He shared that maintaining focus and proper form, along with mental cues, helped him persevere through the tough stretches of the race.
Despite the physical strain, Flanagan expressed gratitude for the victory and acknowledged the valuable lessons learned from the race experience. Looking ahead, he aims to represent Canada in the 2028 Olympic marathon.
As he crossed the finish line, Flanagan, who resides in Cape Cod, Mass., with his family, showed signs of exhaustion despite outward appearances. He emphasized the mental and physical demands of the race, hinting at a desire to run the Toronto Waterfront Marathon again with a deeper understanding of the course.
In preparation for future marathons, Flanagan plans to focus on injury prevention, strength training, and rehabilitation to enhance his performance and endurance. With aspirations to compete in the 2028 Olympics, he aims to achieve faster race times and elevate his standing among top Canadian runners like Rory Linkletter and Cam Levins.
Rachel Hannah emerged as the top Canadian female runner at the event, finishing in 2:33:47 ahead of Makenna Fitzgerald and Brittany Moran. Reflecting on her achievement, Hannah expressed joy and fulfillment at winning the Canadian championship after a decade of marathoning.
Both Flanagan and Hannah, as Canadian champions, will receive $8,000 each, while the overall winners will take home $25,000. Shure Demise of Ethiopia claimed the women’s title with a time of 2:21:04, followed by Kenya’s Betty Chepkorir in second place.
Overall, the Toronto Waterfront Marathon showcased remarkable performances and personal victories for the athletes, highlighting the dedication and resilience required in the world of competitive running.
