Rory Linkletter nearly wins Ottawa Marathon, while Charles Philibert-Thiboutot sets a Canadian 10K record in a thrilling weekend for Canadian runners.
Canadian Runners Deliver Thrills at Ottawa Race Weekend
Linkletter’s Marathon Quest Comes Down to the Wire
Canadian marathon fans were on the edge of their seats as Calgary’s Rory Linkletter made a dramatic push for his first-ever marathon win at the Ottawa Marathon. In a nail-biting finish, Linkletter surged late in the 42.2-kilometre race, closing the gap on Kenya’s Albert Korir. Ultimately, Linkletter finished just nine seconds behind Korir, clocking an impressive 2:08:31.
This runner-up finish adds to Linkletter’s stellar season, which includes a personal best at the Boston Marathon and an automatic Paris Olympics qualification. With his sights now set on breaking the Canadian marathon record, Linkletter is poised to make even more headlines this fall.
Canadians Shine in Marathon and Half Marathon
The men’s marathon also saw strong performances from Tristan Woodfine (7th), Blair Morgan (9th), and Arnaud Francioni (10th). In the women’s race, Mercy Chelangat of Kenya took the win, while Anne Marie Comeau of Quebec was the top Canadian, finishing fourth.
Linkletter’s next challenge will be the half marathon at the Edmonton Marathon in August, where he’s eager to race in front of family and friends.
Philibert-Thiboutot Sets Canadian 10K Record
Saturday night belonged to Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, who electrified Ottawa by breaking the Canadian 10K record. The Quebec City native outpaced Cam Levins in the final kilometer, finishing in a personal-best 28:06—three seconds faster than the previous national mark. Philibert-Thiboutot credited his training and Levins’ fast pace for the breakthrough, calling it “one of the best racing experiences of my career.”
Larkin’s Breakthrough in Women’s 10K
The women’s 10K saw a new star emerge as Gracelyn Larkin, running only her second road 10K, surged past defending champion Malindi Elmore to win in 32:43. Elmore, a veteran at 45, finished second and praised the rise of young Canadian talent, even as she admitted to some disappointment at being overtaken.
Erin Mawhinney finished third, while notable names like Natasha Wodak and Ben Flanagan withdrew due to injuries.
Ottawa Race Weekend Highlights Canadian Talent
From Linkletter’s marathon heroics to Philibert-Thiboutot’s record and Larkin’s breakthrough, Ottawa Race Weekend showcased the depth and promise of Canadian distance running. With eyes now on the Paris Olympics and future record attempts, Canada’s top runners continue to inspire.
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