Rory Linkletter edged Cam Levins in Edmonton to win his first Canadian half marathon title. He now targets Levins’s national marathon record in Chicago.
Linkletter Captures National Title in Edmonton
Calgary-born marathoner Rory Linkletter captured his first Canadian half marathon championship on Sunday, August 17, 2025, in Edmonton. The 28-year-old edged three-time defending champion Cam Levins of Black Creek, B.C., by a single second, crossing the line in 1:03:14.
A Rivalry Decided in a Sprint Finish
The head-to-head battle between Linkletter and Levins came down to the wire, with both runners pushing the pace in the final two kilometres. “The sprint finish was electric,” Linkletter said. “I knew Cam was going to fight tooth and nail for it.” Levins, who had dominated the event for three consecutive years in Winnipeg, settled for second in 1:03:15, while Ben Preisner of Milton, Ont., finished third in 1:03:15.
Fuelled by Past Olympic Competition
Linkletter’s determination stems from his performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic marathon, where Levins placed 36th and he finished 47th. That experience motivated him to sharpen his training in pursuit of becoming Canada’s best marathoner by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Eyes Set on National Marathon Record
Instead of competing at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (Sept. 13–21), Linkletter is targeting Levins’s 2:05:36 Canadian marathon record at the Chicago Marathon on October 12. Chicago’s flat, fast course has seen world records fall, including Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:00:35 in 2023. Linkletter recently clocked 2:07:02 in Boston, the fastest time by a Canadian at that storied race, cementing his spot as the nation’s No. 2 all-time marathoner.
Women’s Division Sees B.C. Talent Shine
On the women’s side, Lauren McNeil, a British runner based in Kelowna, B.C., took the Canadian half marathon crown in 1:11:25. She narrowly defeated defending champion Natasha Wodak of North Vancouver, who finished in 1:11:40.
Flanagan Turns Race Into Charity Mission
Meanwhile, Canadian runner Ben Flanagan of Kitchener, Ont., took part in the Falmouth Road Race in Massachusetts despite recovering from a hip injury. Starting at the back of the pack, Flanagan passed 8,088 runners, raising more than $24,000 (US) for the J-Rob Foundation, which provides adaptive sporting equipment to children with disabilities.
Canadian Distance Running on the Rise
With Linkletter’s breakthrough, Levins’s continued presence, and Flanagan’s community impact, Canadian distance running is enjoying unprecedented momentum on the international stage. For Linkletter, the Edmonton victory is not just a milestone—it is a stepping stone toward rewriting the Canadian record books this fall.
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