Aug 28 2025
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Kenya’s Dominic Ngeno Returning to TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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By Paul Gains

It says a lot about a marathon when its podium finishers are eager to return. A year ago Dominic Ngeno crossed the finish line second at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Now, from his home in Iten, Kenya, he announces he will return for this year’s edition set for October 19.

“It was an amazing race last year and I learned a lot,” he says with a grin. “The race was good. I am coming now to combat.

“I was so happy that the fans were cheering us all the way in the streets. It was so amazing.”

There have been lots of positive developments in Ngeno’s career in the past few months. He left the training camp he had been at in Kaptagat to return to his home in Iten, 2,400m above sea level. He says that Iten, the ‘Home of Champions’, is better suited to him. He is happier there.

As evidence he can point to April’s Paris Marathon where he finished 5th in a new personal best of 2:06:37.

“I ran 2:06:37 in Paris and it is a hard course,” he explains. “It is not like Toronto. When I came to Toronto (last year) I was fearing it was a hard course because for two or three years the guys were running 2:09, 210. So, I was fearing it was not like going to be fast. But when I finished the race, I saw it was good. Paris compared to Toronto? Toronto is a nice course.”

As he speaks via WhatsApp video he excitedly details how well his training is going and credits his ‘team’ of six fellow athletes with pushing him.

The night before this conversation he had run 20 kilometres and, this morning, another 10km. An evening track session, in which he will run a kilometre hard on the track fifteen times with a short rest, is to follow his interview. He has also put in some 40km runs every couple of weeks. It’s an exhausting schedule which leaves little time for anything else.

“When I am not training, I am resting in the compound – just sleeping,” he reveals with a smile. “Sleeping is part of the training part of the program. After lunch I sleep for a period of time then go for training. When I come back, I take tea and wait for dinner.”

Like many Kenyan runners he does, however, find time to watch English Premier League football.

“Yeah, I am a big fan of English Premier League. I am a big fan of Chelsea. The blues,” Ngeno says smiling. “I have a favourite Chelsea player, before it was [Ivory Coast’s] Didier Drogba for now my favourite is [English international] Cole Palmer.”

Ngeno turns 28 on September 3rd but he is still relatively new to the marathon. After high school where he enjoyed soccer, he went to college in Eldoret, Kenya for two years where he met some of the leading Kenyan runners. But it was a chance meeting with 2022 London Marathon champion – and 2019 world championship bronze medalist – Amos Kipruto at a 2021 cross country meet that opened his eyes.

“We had some small interactions,” Ngeno remembers. “He really inspired me because he didn’t run so many half marathons, and his dream came through after he started running marathons. That kept me inspired. I ran only two half marathons. I decided to be a marathoner full time.”

Ngeno recognizes that earning money as a professional runner can pave the way to a bright future. He has a contract with Asics which helps a great deal. And, he has his sight on the TCS Toronto Waterfront marathon first place prize of $25,000CDN. That sum goes a long way in Kenya.

“There is life after running so you need to invest whatever you get,” he says. “You need to do some business. Like now I have a small business – I have electronics stores also I am doing farming – and after running I will work with my family and work on that.

“I have shops and there are some guys who are working for me in the shops. Whenever somebody needs something like a television, anything, they can go to buy there.”

Some of the greatest marathoners have run well at ages once considered beyond prime. Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele and Eliud Kipchoge all come to mind. So Ngeno could have another decade in front of him. It is something he has pondered.

“First I love running and because I love running, I want to run my best and so my life will not remain the same,” he declares. “I want to be the best. I have that dream (running for Kenya).

“This year when they were selecting the team I was not far from selection. I believe soon I will run for Team Kenya. I have love for my country, and I believe I will represent my country in years to come, maybe at the World Championships or Olympic Games.”

Now his focus is on the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon where he intends to combat a world class field.

Aug 28 2025
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Young Ethiopian Duo Set Sights on TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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By Paul Gains

Ethiopian runners from the UK based Moyo Sports management group emerged victorious in both the men’s and women’s races at last year’s TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon with Mulugeta Uma winning the men’s division and Waganesh Makesha taking the women’s.

Now, the group has high hopes for two more of their athletes who have committed to the 2025 edition of the race set for October 19. They are Almaz Kebebe and Adane Anmaw.

Neither would garner much attention under normal circumstances, but the raw potential of these two young women is compelling.

“Toronto is a race that is known in my training group.,” says Adane, 21, who is making her marathon debut at Toronto Waterfront. “We had the winners last year and podiums in previous years. Toronto is a race I have seen on TV.  But more importantly I have chatted to my teammates about it.”

Adane turns 22 on October 21, two days after the race. A year ago, she established her credentials as a world class distance runner with her performance at the 2024 Cardiff Half Marathon where she was 4th in 67:47. To put that in perspective that is two minutes faster than Canadian marathon record holder, Natasha Wodak, has run for the distance.

“I would like to be in the pace for the first group which will mean I can be together with other women, especially my training partner Almaz,” she adds.

Depending upon weather conditions, that group could be targeting the course record Waganesh Makesha set last year (2:20:44). Asked if she is nervous about lining up for her first marathon, she shrugs it off.

“Who doesn’t have nerves sometimes? It is a good thing if managed well,” she responds. “So I am sure I will be a bit nervous. But when the gun goes, I will be focused only on doing a good race.”

Earlier this year she traveled alone to the United States where Moyo Sports had arranged two races for her. She crossed the line second in the Cherry Blossom/US Ten Mile Championships running 51:00.  Adane also took second in the famed Lilac Bloomsday 12km.

“This was great. It was good overall to get some short races in,” Adane explains. “My management has had athletes win in the Lilac Bloomsday and Cherry Blossom 10-mile race before. So, we always have athletes from our team in these races.”

Almaz Kebebe, meanwhile, is the more experienced marathoner of the pair having run a total of two marathons already – both in 2025. Yet, she is still a teenager – turning 20 on September 15th. She was 8th in Dubai in 2:23:30 and also 8th in Rotterdam (2:24:03).

“Dubai was my debut, yes. I was so pleased to run a good first marathon and, even though I was only 8th, for me, this was just the start,” she declares.

“I learnt that patience is important as I was only new to this distance. And that trusting your coach and training is important.”

Almaz was born in Bekoji, the legendary ‘Town of Runners’ known for many of Ethiopia’s Olympic champions such as Kenenisa Bekele, TIrunesh Dibaba and Derartu Tulu. She moved to Addis five years ago. It is where most leading coaches are based. Now she and Adane train together with Waganesh Mekasha and also with Mestawut Fikir, (2nd in 2024 Berlin with a time of 2:18: 48) and Kumeshi Sichala, winner of the 2025 Houston Marathon (2:20:42).  Keeping up with such impressive training partners has given her much confidence.

“I am aiming to run a personal best (at Toronto Waterfront),” she offers. “This is an important next step for me. But I believe I can be on the podium, if not win this race.”

Clearly, this group has developed an affinity for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Now it’s a case of seeing if whether they can produce more winners of this World Athletics Elite Label Race. Almaz Kebebe and Adane Anmaw are brimming with confidence.

Aug 21 2025
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Rwandan Marathoner Nyirarukundo to Race TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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By Paul Gains

Salome Nyirarukundo has made an extraordinary impact on the Canadian road race scene since her arrival from Rwanda seven years ago most recently with a victory at the 2025 Under Armour Toronto 10km.

Now, this Ottawa resident turns her attention to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, October 19.

This will be her first marathon since 2019 when she finished 4th in the Ottawa Marathon with a time of 2:30:44. The only other marathon she has run was the 2018 Montreal Marathon – a race she won in 2:28:05.

“It’s been three or four years that I have been hoping to do the Toronto Waterfront Marathon,” she admits, “because it is a big race, of course.  But the timing was difficult, and I got injured and couldn’t participate. This year is a good moment for me to see what I can do.

“I am, to be honest, always really excited to come to Toronto because I think I have a good connection with Toronto fans. In past years when I have been running I have had such a good time. I have run the Toronto 10k three years. I think it will help a little bit.”

In addition to her 2025 victory in the Under Armour Toronto 10km she finished 2nd in both the 2024 and 2023 editions of the event which, like the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, is part of the Canada Running Series. The 10k race traverses the shores of Lake Ontario and makes up a large chunk of the marathon course. This, she expects, will be helpful come October 19.

Nyirarukundo is still just 27-years-old, a quite astonishing fact considering she competed in the 10,000m at the 2016 Olympic Games for her native Rwanda. In fact, she remains the Rwandan national record holder in the 5,000m (15:34.91), 10,000m (31:45.82) and the half marathon (1:08:48). The latter is faster than Andrea Seccafien’s Canadian record of 1:09:38.

As a teenager living in Rwanda’s capital of Kigali she showed great promise.  The Dutch based sports management company, Global Sports Communications, took her on and from 2017 to 2018 she trained in Kaptagat, Kenya at the same camp as the legendary Eliud Kipchoge. The Kenyan superstar is a GSC client.

At the time Salome spoke only a little English and so her interaction with him was limited. She remembers him as being quiet and humble even taking his turn in handling camp cleaning and cooking duties despite his status.

Since coming to Canada she has been working as a personal care worker for two hospitals. Although she is grateful for employment it is clear she would like to devote more time to training.

“Unfortunately, I am not in the same situation as before,” she explains. “When I did 1:08:48 I

was training full-time morning and evening.  Now I am doing two jobs and then training. I can’t say I will do the same thing as I did in the past. There is a possibility.

“I am really confident in myself that I can do better and better. Now I have started to participate in the national 10km road race championships and performed well. That shows me I can still do what I did in the past.”

She crossed the finish line 4th at the 2025 Canadian 10km championships one place ahead of former Canadian marathon record holder Lanni Marchant. It is the exploits of the leading Canadian marathoners like Natasha Wodak and Malindi Elmore, who are competing well into their forties, who have inspired her.

“This year because I started to train for the marathon I am doing between 100km to 130km,” she reveals. “And actually, Natasha Wodak is the one who really inspired me. Because last year Wodak was number one (in Canada) and I was going to quit.

“And when I see Rachel Hannah also, they are such good runners, and I thought ‘if they can do it I can do it’. They are very strong. They inspired me to get strong and keep going.”

Hannah, the 2015 Pan American Games marathon bronze medalist, closely followed Nyirarukundo in each of the past three Toronto 10km and they have struck up a friendship. Hannah drove out to Eastern Ontario for the weekend in mid-August and the two met up for a 38km training session in Plantagenet, Ontario.

While she claims her training is going well shift work, perhaps, is not the best preparation for a marathon buildup but Nyirarukundo has learned to adapt with the help of her Ottawa Lions coach Ray Dupuis.

“Some times l wake up at 4:00 a.m. and go and run 15km or 10km then go to work at 6:00 am,” she says.  “Then after work, if l don’t have second shift, l run again.  It is not really easy but l have to do it in order to support myself and my siblings back home.

“I am the oldest and my dad passed way when we were younger. l am mother and father for them and l love them so much. Without them l could not be able do what am doing now.”

Life in Rwanda can be much more complicated. Amongst the expenses she handles for her two brothers and two sisters are their school fees. They still live in the Rutsiro district of Rwanda which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo. Recently the two countries signed an agreement to end armed conflict.

“It’s really hard. I am always exhausted but running is my passion but at the same time I have to work afterwards,” Nyirarukundo declares. “I know it’s not the same as the person who is just training. I am hoping one day I will maybe working part-time and training full-time. I know myself I am always confident. When you have done it before you maybe can do it a second time.”

As she completes the training for her TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon debut she admits she  would like to run somewhere under 2:30. That goal remains firm. Yet, she has figured out a way to enjoy another passion.

“I don’t know how to swim but I like to go outdoor camping,” she says with a laugh. “I never did this before in my own country. When I did it here it’s very nice – nature. This year I am going to Prince Edward Island. I will camp there one week at the end of August.”

One day she hopes to represent Canada. No one can doubt she has that potential with the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon providing an important stepping stone.

Aug 14 2025
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Olympic Steeplechaser John Gay Commits To TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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By Paul Gains

Canada’s top marathoners have typically graduated from running on the track to the roads and the latest to do so is steeplechaser John Gay who marks his debut at the upcoming TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, October 19.

Unlike his fellow Olympian, Ben Flanagan, who announced this week he too will debut in Toronto Waterfront, Gay has very little experience on the roads.

That doesn’t seem to bother this 28-year-old native of Kelowna, B.C. who has traditionally run marathon-like training throughout his stellar career.  Indeed, he has represented Canada at the Tokyo Olympics, the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha as well as the 2023 World Cross Country Championships.

“Maybe most distance runners can relate to this, there is something about the marathon that carries such cache,” Gay says from his training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona. “I knew at some point, while I was in my prime, I wanted to take a stab at the distance. It’s an event that has always been very interesting to me.”

Gay ran a personal best 3,000m steeplechase of 8:16.99 to earn a coveted place in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic final. That time ranks him the 4th fastest Canadian ever.  A year later he finished 4th in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK.  But a series of injuries over the following two years was the impetus to make his move to the marathon earlier.

“I struggled a lot the last number of years with injuries that have related pretty directly to steeplechasing,” he explains. “In 2023 I tore my hamstring hurdling. In 2024 I tore my achilles in a (steeplechase) water pit and the wear and tear of a decade plus focusing on the steeplechase seemed to be clashing with my longevity in the sport.

“It was a little bit a ‘now or never’ mentality to be honest. I missed out on the 2024 Olympic team having to end my season with injury for the second year in a row. I decided it was probably the best time to move to a longer event.”

Since October 2024 he has been a member of the Verde Track Club joining Canadian Olympic marathoner Rory Linkletter and Ben Flanagan under the tutelage of coach Jon Green. In August he and his wife, Camille, who works remotely in urban planning, moved to Flagstaff, Arizona where he has Linkletter for a training partner. The popular training site is located at 7,000 feet (2,130m) elevation.

“I have been coming to Flagstaff for a number of years. Early on I was leaning heavily on a lot of great research that Dr Trent Stellingworth through Athletics Canada has put out a lot of protocols for athletes heading up to altitude training camps,” he says.

“I was fortunate that when I first came to Flagstaff it was with the assistance of Athletics Canada. There was a lot of blood monitoring, heart rate monitoring, oxygen level monitoring. That established a really good baseline of knowledge for me so with every successive training camp I have been able to build off that knowledge. The more time you spend at high elevation the easier I find it gets to return every subsequent trip so at this point in my career it’s pretty much ‘plug and play’.”

While his road race experience is limited to the 2025 Houston Half Marathon where he ran an unexceptional 65:05 his training under former coach, University of British Columbia’s Chris Johnson, had incorporated modern training theory.

“The buzzword over the last couple of years of course has been ‘threshold training’. That’s something I have been doing for the last number of years,” he reveals. “Those high-volume sessions where you might be logging anywhere from ten to fifteen miles worth of decent quality aerobic work split across a couple of sessions.

“I think that gave me a decent base and gave me the confidence I could handle fairly high-volume weeks pushing up into the 180 -190kms a week. And then from there it’s been a matter of layering on specificity of the marathon. Being my first (Toronto Waterfront) is a bit of a venture into the unknown.”

The transition to marathoning then should be addressed and greatly enhanc ed by his altitude training alongside the experienced Linkletter. And because of his history of injuries he says he has now incorporated essential elements such as recovery, stretching and nutrition into his daily routine.

For more than five years he received funding from Athletics Canada but lost that income after a disappointing couple of years.

“I failed to produce performance results for a couple of years so understandably they let me go and I agree with that decision on their part,” he happily concedes. “I have always worked part time, the last 5 years as club manager for the Vancouver Thunderbirds and recognizing I was moving away from Vancouver I let that job go at the end of the 2024.

“Since that point I have been working for Canadian Running hosting their ‘Shakeout Podcast’ which has been a great addition to my weekly rhythm.  I was really grateful to be tapped on the shoulder by Canadian Running. It has provided a supplementary income stream as well as something to keep me focused and busy outside of training everyday.”

The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon besides being a World Athletics Elite Label race will serve as the 2025 Athletics Canada Marathon Championship. Gay has won two national titles in the steeplechase and another in cross country. Being crowned national marathon champion would be a dream.

“My hope is that this has the potential long and fruitful second chapter in my running career,” is all he will say of his aspirations. “I love the running community, I love the daily work of being out there training and I love racing.”

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Aug 12 2025
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Canadian Olympian Ben Flanagan To Race TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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By Paul Gains

Earning a place in the 2024 Paris Olympic 5,000m event was a career highlight for Ben Flanagan but as it turned out that success effectively delayed his marathon debut – the distance he believes will ultimately prove to be his best.

The 30-year-old Kitchener, Ontario native will finally take on the marathon October 19 when he lines up for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon – a World Athletics Elite Label race – which doubles as the 2025 Canadian Marathon Championships.

“To be honest I think this has been an overdue transition,” Flanagan says from his current home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. “ A lot of people expected me to make it three or four years ago which I was very much open to.

“At this point it was like ‘ok, what event do I think is going to maximize my chances to make a big move at the Olympics?’ and I always thought the marathon would be my best event. So, I think this was a late move, but, better to do it now three years before [the] LA [Olympics].”

Flanagan ran 13:04.62 indoors to qualify for the Paris Olympics a 5,000m time only two Canadians have bettered. But the roads have been his bread and butter.

After winning the 2018 NCAA 10,000m title for the University of Michigan he went on to win the famed Falmouth Road Race three times in addition to earning three Canadian 10km titles one of which, it so happens, was run along the Toronto Waterfront in 2021. That will be familiar when he runs the marathon.

In June 2024 he and his wife, Hannah, relocated to Cape Cod where her parents live. The move, the welcoming of a baby daughter – Nora Is now 4 months old – weren’t the only changes to Flanagan’s life. After years of training under former Michigan coach Ron Warhurst and a spell as a member of the Boston Reebok Track Club he sought the help of Jon Green who also coaches fellow Canadian Olympians Rory Linkletter and John Gay in the Verde Track Club.

While Green is permanently located in Flagstaff, Arizona the pair communicate via phone and text. Precious personal time is spent at races or when Green, a Massachusetts native, returns to visit family.

Flanagan is training solo but has the option of meeting up with Boston-based athletes should he wish. On long runs he is often accompanied by his father-in-law on a bike who carries bottles. Efforts to perfect the mechanics of fuelling during races are ongoing.

“The biggest change has been the (training) volume really. That’s always been a challenge for me.,” he reveals. “I have had a really hard time, historically, building volume without getting hurt. It’s probably been one of my most challenging areas of development. I tend to thrive on lower volume than others do.”

The focus on quality training miles has not hurt his results on the roads. Indeed, he can point to personal bests of 28:10 in the 10km and 61:00 in the half marathon. Only Canadian marathon record holder Cam Levins has run faster at the latter distance. Although they are friendly it is Rory Linkletter to whom Flanagan has turned for marathon advice.

“Rory and I were roommates at a lot of the training camps in Spain and we were roommates in Paris [Olympics] and now we have the same coach,” Flanagan explains. “Every time we step on the line we want to beat each other but we’re not afraid of being transparent with each other in terms of what we are doing; what’s worked and what hasn’t.

“He’s probably the guy I learned the most from and then Jon. One of the things that I like about Jon is he’s young, he’s the same age as me. But despite that he has a lot of extensive experience with a lot of different marathoners. The benefit of being in ‘Flag you are around the newest trends all the time. He is always up to date with everything.”

As he gets in his 140 kilometres a week Flanagan acknowledges the change in lifestyle, being a parent, means he must be effective in time management. When Hannah needs a break or is working with her mother’s children’s clothing store in Falmouth, Flanagan is at the ready.

“We have two dogs as well,” Flanagan reveals with a laugh. “Between looking after the dogs the baby and, my wife and I taking care of our own situations, it’s jam packed. We are never looking to kill time to be honest.

“I’m very happy with my situation in life: with running a huge part of my life but not being the same as it used to be where it was only about running.”

Qualifying for the 2024 Olympic meant Flanagan was able to extend his two-year contract with On Running until 2028. This has allowed him to be in a better position to prepare going forward. The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is the launching pad for the marathon career he has always thought about.

“The biggest goal is to walk away from [Toronto Waterfront] feeling like having a positive experience, making as few mistakes as possible and learning from the mistakes I do make and feeling I can go faster in the next one,” he declares.

“My plan is to take it relatively conservative. I want to make sure I get to 30km and feel I have a lot more in the tank I don’t want to get myself into place I haven’t been before too early. That’s the main goal.”

The Canadian Championship is a huge enticement. Besides the aforementioned three 10km titles he also has won national gold in the 5km road race and at 5,000m on the track. Winning another in the marathon would be special.

“It all comes down to LA now,” he says of the ultimate target he has set for himself. “If I want to make that team in 2028 it’s not unreasonable to think I am going to have to be a 2:06, 2:05 marathoner. So I am just trying not to chase it all at once; just get the first one in, feel good about it, then build off that and then hopefully it will come with a Canadian championship. It’s a realistic goal.”

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Sep 29 2024
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Ethiopian Marathon Star Commits to TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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By Paul Gains

Abdi Fufa will compete in the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon October 20th joining a large contingent of fellow Ethiopians on the trans Atlantic flight. Once again this is a World Athletics Elite Label race.

The 28 year-old has a personal best of 2:05:57 from the 2021 Sienna Marathon a time that will catch the attention of his competitors and perhaps cast him as a race favourite amongst the field.

More recently he finished 4th in the 2024 Dubai Marathon with a solid clocking of 2:06:23. It is no surprise, then, that Abdi aims to be on the Toronto Waterfront Marathon podium.

“My expectation in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon is to see myself on the podium,” he declares. “My (long term) goal is running well to support my family.”

Although he is married Abdi and his wife do not yet have children. In a country where the per capita annual income is a little over $1,000 the lure of Toronto Waterfront Marathon prize money – $20,000 to the winner – is immense.

The latest result in Dubai was a welcome sign that his injuries are behind him. Indeed, he didn’t compete at all in 2023.

“I had a calf injury which took me a long time to recover from,” he reveals. “But then I had continuous massage therapy and now I feel better.”

Abdi like many others grew up on a farm with his five brothers and four sisters. An elder brother enjoyed some success as a distance runner and the young Abdi took notice.

“My elder brother Imane Fufa was a good 10,000m runner and he is the one who inspired me,” he explains. “I saw him running during my childhood and so I started to run.”

After coming to the attention of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation he was selected to represent his country at the 2019 World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark where he finished 15th. As the third Ethiopian finisher he helped Ethiopia to the team bronze medal.

These days he lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, and for the past three years has been one of about thirty elite marathon runners training under legendary coach Gemedu Dedefo whose most notable charges are Tigest Assefa and Tamirat Tola.

Tigest smashed the women’s world record with a stunning 2:11:53 a year ago – before taking the Olympic silver medal in Paris – while Tamirat Tola, a last minute addition to the Ethiopian Olympic team, won the gold medal in the Paris Olympics.

It is Tamirat whose influence has proven most impactful upon Abdi. Striking Olympic gold in Paris and before that the 2022 world championship gold as he did in Eugene, Oregon led to grand celebrations amongst the group. The athletes speak of the respect and camaraderie amongst themselves.

Abdi Fufa says Tamirat’s success and the closeness “that we have in the team makes us have a team sprit. We saw Tamirat Tola’s achievement is because of his hard work and patience.”

The group will meet three times a week but each athlete follows a seven days a week program. The commitment is a constant element in Ethiopia’s success Abdi hopes to follow in the success of Tamirat Tola and continue to improve. Perhaps one day he can achieve success at the Olympics and World Championships and add to coach Gemedu’s list of exceptional athletes. The TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is the next step in that journey.

Sep 09 2024
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Natasha Wodak Commits to TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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By Paul Gains

Two-time Canadian Olympian Natasha Wodak has committed to racing the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, October 20th.

The Vancouver native finished 13th in the Tokyo Olympics and also holds the Canadian marathon record of 2:23:12. Toronto Waterfront Marathon doubles as a World Athletics Elite Label Race and the 2024 Canadian Marathon Championship, still, her late decision caught many aficionados by surprise.

“I thought ‘why don’t I go run the Canadian Marathon Championships in Toronto?’ I haven’t been there in eleven years and that is where I started this marathon journey,” the Asics sponsored athlete says.

“It’s an Asics event, I am the Canadian record holder, I haven’t won the Canadian Marathon Championship’ I just really wanted to run in my country surrounded by friends and family. When I started thinking about it, it made me happy.”

Happiness with her running she insists is still a primary motivator as she continues her world-class racing at the age of 42. It has been a rough year for her. Four attempts at achieving the 2024 Olympic standards came up short due to factors beyond her control.

Her preparations for the 2023 London Marathon went perfectly but she got sick the week before and cancelled her flight the very day she was to travel. Then, another excellent training block gave her confidence that she could break her national record at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest – her fourth time representing Canada at a World Athletics Championship. Race temperatures reached 28c though, and she finished 15th. Nobody ran particularly fast.

A hamstring strain two weeks before January’s Houston Marathon impacted her result there and she struggled home 9th in 2:28:42. Then, a 12th place finish in Hamburg this past April led to her conceding that a third Olympic appearance was not possible. Gravely disappointed at first, she eventually saw the positives thanks to her friends and family.

“The Olympics is special for a reason because it is very hard to get there!” Wodak now says, “I didn’t make it this time around. I had a fun journey trying to get there and other doors are open and I got to do the CBC broadcast for the Women’s Olympic marathon which was an amazing opportunity. I loved doing that.

“I find myself in a really good spot, leading into the fall, and with going into Toronto Waterfront – which I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise.

Originally, she contemplated going for the national half marathon record at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon but then consulted with her coach Trent Stellingwerf. Despite her failure to achieve the Olympic standard she has maintained a high level of fitness, a fact which Stellingwerf emphasized when she wondered aloud if a shortened marathon build might indeed work.

Winning a national championship offers generous World Athletics points – useful in qualifying for next year’s World Championships – which was another factor in her decision.

“What we are thinking is that if I win and run decently in Toronto it’s really good points and I don’t need to run the standard. I then could possibly run a marathon in Japan in early March,” she reasons.

Wodak is a very sociable individual and enjoys spending time with friends and family when she is not piling on the mileage. She has also been doing some coaching and whenever possible joins her twelve or so charges for their workouts. Another passion is for her volunteer work at the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association.

“I go on Friday mornings. The shelter has at the moment probably 30 cats, so my job is to go in with other volunteers, we feed the cats, we clean their cages, we clean the litter box, we do laundry, do dishes and take the garbage out,” she reveals. “When we have time left over we get to snuggle the cats to help socialize them which, obviously, is our favourite part.

“It is very sad because there are so many cats that we have taken from not good situations and they are scared and sad and we just want to find them homes. People are getting cats from breeders instead of rescuing. I try to encourage people to ‘adopt don’t shop’ and rescue.” Wodak practices what she preaches. Both her cats are rescues.

At the age of 42 she has become aware that her marathon success serves as inspiration to other women who might think of retiring from competition in their mid-thirties. When asked about this she offers a humble smile.

“Malindi and I have talked about this and we just run,” she says, referring to 44 year old Malindi Elmore a fellow Olympian. “We don’t think about our age and we are loving it. And the fact that that is inspiring to the younger generation is really cool.

“And it’s not lost on me that we are setting an example of what can be done in your forties and showing women you don’t need to retire from the sport in your mid-thirties as it used to be done. Sometimes I do feel like I am running out of time to do all the things I want to do while I am still fast. I don’t know when the shoe is going to drop and I am going to slow down. I want to get the most out of myself while I can still.”

Wodak is due another spectacular marathon performance. Organisers of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon join her in hoping it comes October 20th on the streets of Canada’s largest city.

Aug 27 2024
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WAGANESH MEKASHA RETURNS TO TCS TORONTO WATERFRONT MARATHON

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By Paul Gains

Ethiopian marathon star Waganesh Mekasha has unfinished business at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and returns with the intent of achieving victory in this World Athletics Elite Label Race, October 20th.

A year ago she went toe to toe with her compatriot Buze Diriba finishing one second behind Buze’s winning time of 2:23:11. Second place on that occasion was bittersweet.

“Yes it is frustrating to lose by a second,” she admits. “I prepared well and wanted to take the course record. Unfortunately it did not happen. I thought if we had a strong pacemaker I would win that race because at 35km I was so comfortable.

“I had to go all out and sprint to make the podium. If the girls helped me I wanted to push from 35 km after the pacer dropped out.”

Waganesh has known Buze since they were both members of the Ethiopian junior team competing at the 2011 World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain. On that occasion Waganesh finished 4th overall to help her country win the gold medal while Buze was 10th.

“We are not friends and we do not train together; but we see each other in different training locations,” Waganesh says of their relationship.

Aside from missing out on the $20,000 first place prize money – she collected $10,000 for second – Waganesh’s recollections of her initial visit to Toronto are all positive.

“Toronto is such a beautiful city,” she declares. “The crowds are amazing and we had a beautiful racing experience.

“The race was fantastic but the pacers did not do as we needed. After 35k I wanted to push but the (other two) ladies did not help. That’s why we three had to finish in a sprint.”

The third-place finisher on the day was another Ethiopian, Afera Godfay, who finished in 2:23:15. The four seconds separating the top 3 was an anomaly in marathon racing and made for a dramatic finish although, clearly, Waganesh has another perspective.

Waganesh was able to explore downtown Toronto on her first visit albeit while keeping close to her hotel so as not to expend unnecessary energy. A shopping excursion to a nearby mall was one outing she prioritized – to buy clothes for her children.

“I did go shopping to buy clothes for my children. And I did see my friends (Canadian residents),” she confirms.

Like most Ethiopian runners she runs to help support her family which is comprised of her two young children, Benjamin, 7, and Amen, 4 and her husband, Anwar Arega.

“I want to give them a better opportunity,” Waganesh explains. “But I do not encourage them to be a runner. I want them to do what they enjoy.

“My husband is always on my side. He drives me to training, cooks me food and, if necessary, he acts as my physio. Generally he is always there to help me push beyond my limit.”

Along with her training partners and under guidance of Coach Nigatu Worku, she has already begun her buildup for Toronto Waterfront. Her personal best marathon remains the 2:22:45 she ran at the 2019 Dubai Marathon. Could this be the year she surpasses it?

Experience counts immensely in marathon racing and at the age of 32 she has plenty. On her first visit to Canada she was the 2023 Ottawa Marathon champion. More recently, on February 25th of this year, she won the Osaka Marathon in 2:24:20.

Like many athletes who have raced Toronto Waterfront she continues to eye the course record of 2:22:16 set by Kenya’s Magdalyne Masai in 2019.

“I know the course now and want to come back stronger,” she declares. “If things go as I wish and, if we have a strong pacemaker, I will do my best to break the course record and run fast and win the race. I do believe i will run faster than that (record).”

Asked about her running future she is clear: “Age is a number, I do believe I will have another ten years ahead.”

Aug 20 2024
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Canadian Championship Lures Leslie Sexton to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

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By Paul Gains

Adding to her growing list of Canadian championship titles is an objective when Leslie Sexton returns to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, October 20.

Once again, the World Athletics Elite Label race doubles as the 2024 Athletics Canada National Marathon Championship.

Sexton was crowned national marathon champion here in 2017, the year she also finished 5th overall in the women’s category behind three Ethiopians and a Kenyan – all experienced international runners.  And, she has a handful of national titles at shorter distances on both the roads and track.

The importance of racing the national marathon championships is even greater now as she explains.

“Since World Athletics has switched to this points ranking system it’s even more important than before,” the 37 year old declares. “Now the bonus points from a national championship are significant across all events and in the marathon, where you might only get two or three attempts in a cycle, it’s an important consideration in qualifying for the world championships in Tokyo next year.”

Sexton represented Canada at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon finishing a credible 13th place in the marathon (2:28:52). More recently she was a member of the Canadian team at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in Beograd, Serbia. That latter event came on the heels of her personal best marathon performance at the 2024 Houston Marathon.

In the Texas city she finished 8th in a world class field, racing to a clocking of 2:28:14, although missing the Olympic standard of 2:26:50 made her achievement bittersweet.

“I think I went through halfway in about 1:13:15,” she remembers. “So I went there with the intention to go for the Olympic standard but I had a bit of a rough patch between 20 and 30km then rallied for a PB in the final 12km. I am happy with the effort that day but it wasn’t what I was looking for. “

Originally from Markham, Ontario, Sexton moved with her coach and partner, Steve Weiler to Vancouver two years ago. Clearly it has had an impact on her running career. Personal bests from 5,000m up to the marathon have since helped rewrite her resume.

“I really like it out here,” she explains. “The weather has been really good for running – I really don’t miss the Ontario winters. I am in a really good spot about a kilometre from Pacific Spirit Park. I run through the trails in there and being able to get there in the winter has been a big plus.

“I am doing some stuff on my own and with my coach Steve, we are starting to form a post collegiate group.  Back in the winter we had four people from our group qualify for the World Cross Country Championships in Serbia. So we did a lot of workouts together. I have been training with Glynis Sim who beat me in the Vancouver Sun Run in the spring; good training partners within my own club.”

Sim won the Sun Run in 32:17 with Sexton a close second in 32:25. It’s a race Sexton won in both 2022 and 2023. The pair obviously benefit from their training sessions together. Occasionally she also goes for easy runs with Canadian marathon record holder and two-time Olympian Natasha Wodak, who is now 42 years of age.

As Wodak and fellow B.C. resident Malindi Elmore, 44, have proven, world-class marathon running is now possible into the 40’s. Their performances have served as inspiration for Sexton as she contemplates her running future.

“Yeah definitely (they are inspirational) and I know that the Australian Sinead Diver was running great times in her 40’s as well,” she confirms. “So definitely it inspires me to keep going. Going into this year my intent was always to be going through to LA in 2028.

“Missing this Olympics was a disappointment but I still have big goals to represent Canada at the Worlds and Olympics in the future and seeing other women do that in their early 40’s gives me confidence I can do that too.”

For now her focus returns to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

“I am still pretty early in the training cycle. This is going to be a shorter buildup than I have done previously. I had some setbacks in July but I am healthy now,” she reveals.

“I will be looking to run a competitive time, something to maximize those Canadian championship points, but not necessarily going for a PB this time. I will have to see how the training goes.”

Then of course there is the thrill of possibly adding yet another national championship gold medal to her collection.

Oct 16 2023
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How to get Your Best Post Race Recovery!

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By Dr. Britt Moran

How to get your best post race recovery !

It’s true that you can only train as hard as you can recover, and post race recovery is KEY. It’s important to understand that race recovery is not only about recovering from the race itself, but from the entire training cycle, whether you hit your race goals or not.

Once you’ve finished your race, the very first thing you do is celebrate. You did it ! While celebrating, remember to refuel & rehydrate in order to jump start your short term recovery.

Immediately after the race your stomach may be struggling with some “gel induced” gut rot, so it’s vital to get some proper fuel in your system as soon as possible. While your stomach might not be quite ready for more than the complimentary banana and granola bar, you can focus on immediate rehydration with Organika Electrolytes Recovery which helps replenish lost minerals. Once your stomach settles, be sure to take in (mostly) good calories at a regular cadence throughout the rest of the day.

Once you’ve started refueling, do some active stretching to flush out your legs and keep them from getting excessively sore later in the coming days. Check out this video and follow along: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn7SCmQAysu/. Finally, don’t be afraid to walk around a bit, even if it’s slow. Try to get the blood flowing through the day, your legs will thank you the next morning.

Now in longer term recovery, meaning the days following the race. Here are some things to focus on:

  1.      Fueling → Just because you’re not training for anything does not mean you should start to cut the calories. Your body is still working hard to recover not only from the race, but all the training leading up to it. Organika electrolytes + enhanced collagen is a great way to stay on top of regular fueling.
  2.      Down time →  Here is the thing, when we train we work towards a nice peak and then taper down to perform.  We cannot expect to always be at that peak fitness.  So it is important to come down from that fitness, now you will still get some benefit and start a little bit further ahead than you were the last season. So do not be afraid to take the time off, it is an important part of training. Aim for 10 to 14 days after a Marathon & 7 to 10 days for a Half.
  3.      Ease back into training → After your downtime, do two weeks (minimum) of easy runs only.  This is important physically but also mentally.  We cannot always be so focused towards a singular goal, so it is good to give yourself a mental break as well.  This is the time to run for fun and just enjoy the freedom of running when you want to, not because you have to.
  4.      Reflect → On the race and also the season as a whole. Be honest about your weaknesses and areas for improvement.  Make a plan to address one (or two) of them in the off season.

I promise that taking the time to recover appropriately will pay off in the long run (literally). Embrace the break and enjoy the recovery!

-30-

About Dr. Brittany Moran

Dr. Brittany Moran is a Toronto based chiropractor, run coach & runner.  She works at The Runner’s Academy as a chiropractor and is the founder and head coach of StrideWise Running. In her spare time, Brittany trains for marathons at a sub elite level with a personal best of 2:33.

Social media:

Instagram: @torunningchiro / @stridewiserunning / @therunnersacademy

About Organika:

For over 33 years, Organika has been dedicated to redefining health supplementation, through a diverse array of collagen powders, supplements, superfoods, and hydration products. Ensuring that each product offering resonates harmoniously with individual needs, culminating in enhanced products that seamlessly integrate into daily wellness regimens. Helping all people love living healthy!

Social media and website:

  • Organika.com
  • @organikahealth