Canadian distance runner Ben Flanagan will make his marathon debut at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Sunday, with his sights set on winning the Canadian men’s title rather than chasing records — a deliberate and strategic step toward his ultimate goal: representing Canada at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 29-year-old from Kitchener, Ontario, watched the Chicago Marathon closely last weekend, not just as a fan but as a student of the sport. “A lot of guys I’ve competed against ran well, which is intimidating and exciting,” Flanagan said from his home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. “Guys with similar resumés to me are enjoying marathon success, so it’s encouraging.”
Shifting focus from time to experience
Initially, Flanagan hoped to clock between 2:08 and 2:09 in his first marathon — times that would put him among the nation’s elite. But after recovering from a partially torn hip labrum, he recalibrated expectations.
“I had a slice of humble pie through the spring and summer,” he told CBC Sports. “2:08 is already hard, but it’s a lot harder when your build gets interrupted. The time means less to me now than it did months ago. The goal is simple — win the Canadian championship and make this my worst marathon ever, because I only plan to get better.”
Flanagan, a Tokyo 2024 Olympian in the 5,000 metres and three-time Canadian 10K champion, admits that training setbacks forced him to adapt. He wasn’t logging 60 kilometres a week until late July, but by August, he was running strong 35–38 km sessions and learning crucial lessons about pacing and fuelling.
Learning the marathon craft
“The marathon pace is faster than I expected,” Flanagan said. “Even slower paces feel harder when you go that long. Fuelling was the biggest learning curve — taking in drinks every 5K, learning how to digest them quickly.”
His coach, Jon Green, who has guided him for the past ten months, emphasized that the debut is about experience, not perfection. “The marathon is daunting. I want Ben to enjoy it and compete in the final 10K. Based on what I’ve seen, he’s ready to race for the Canadian title.”
Flanagan’s wife and seven-month-old daughter will join nearly 50 family members and friends cheering him on in Toronto. “I’m not in the best shape of my life, but I feel ready for a good race,” he said.
Rival Canadians to watch
Flanagan will face competition from Andrew Alexander of Toronto and Phil Parrot-Migas of London, Ont.
Alexander, 26, ran a 2:12:55 personal best in Houston and finished third at the Canadian 10K Championships.
Parrot-Migas, 32, posted a 2:13:24 PB in Houston and defended his Around the Bay 30K title in Hamilton earlier this year.
Past Canadian champions Justin Kent, Thomas Broatch, and Trevor Hofbauer have all clocked between 2:11 and 2:16 in recent years, setting the stage for a competitive national field.
Canadian marathon legacy
Canada’s current men’s marathon record stands at 2:05:36, set by Cam Levins in 2023. Levins debuted in Toronto in 2018 with a then-record 2:09:25, and he offered Flanagan advice heading into race day.
“The last 10K in Toronto is the hardest,” Levins said. “It feels easy to go out fast, but you need something left for the final stretch — the wind can be brutal.”
From track to 42.2 kilometres
Flanagan, a former Canadian half marathon record holder, has made a name for himself with his versatility and disciplined approach. He acknowledges that the marathon is “a different beast” but says his mindset has evolved.
“The Canadian marathon scene has improved — more guys are breaking into the 2:08s, 2:09s, and soon under 2:10,” he said. “But my eyes are on 2:05 and 2:06. That’s where I want to be heading into 2028.”
He recalls missing the Tokyo 2021 team as a turning point. “If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that you can’t expect everything to work out. You have to aim for the best. I want to be one of the top guys, not just watching others qualify.”
Women’s field to feature top Canadians
In the women’s marathon, Dayna Pidhoresky and Rachel Hannah headline the Canadian elite lineup.
Pidhoresky, a 2021 Olympian and three-time Vancouver Marathon winner, will make her fifth appearance in Toronto.
Hannah, a nutrition consultant from Port Elgin, Ont., who ran 2:34:42 in Boston, remains one of Canada’s most consistent marathoners.
Race day outlook
The Toronto Waterfront Marathon begins Sunday at 8 a.m. ET, drawing elite and recreational runners from across Canada and beyond. For Flanagan, it’s more than just a debut — it’s the beginning of a new chapter.
“I want this to be my hardest race,” he said, smiling. “Because if this is the worst one, I know the next ones will only get better.”
