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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Canadian Olympian Joins Growing Protest

Four-time Olympian and silver medalist Moh Ahmed has joined over 400 Canadians calling on Tennis Canada to cancel its upcoming Davis Cup tie against Israel. The event, scheduled for Sept. 12–13 at Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre, has become the focus of an intensifying debate over sport, politics, and human rights.

Why the Letter Was Issued

In a joint letter, the signatories argue that hosting the tie would be “unconscionable” in light of what they describe as international condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The letter cites legal experts and human rights groups who have used terms like “genocide” to describe the situation, urging Canadian sport leaders to act in solidarity.

Who Signed the Appeal

The petition includes a wide range of voices: three UN Special Rapporteurs, two Palestinian women’s national soccer players studying at York University, and former Olympic beach volleyball coach Hernan Humana. Together, the 413 signatories argue that Canada must not normalize competition with Israel given the current political climate.

Tennis Canada’s Position

Tennis Canada has confirmed that the Davis Cup tie will proceed as planned under International Tennis Federation rules. In a statement, the organization acknowledged the “deeply complex situation in the Middle East” but emphasized its role in ensuring a safe and professional competition for players, staff, and fans.

What’s at Stake in Halifax

The September tie will determine which country advances to the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers. Canada, relegated to World Group I after a narrow loss to Hungary in February, is seeking redemption. This marks the first Davis Cup held in Halifax since 2016, when Canada swept Chile 5–0.

How Sport and Politics Intersect

The debate reflects a broader global trend where athletes and organizations grapple with the political implications of international competition. The letter argues that, historically, sport has been tied to both the dismantling of apartheid regimes and the promotion of national sentiment. For Ahmed and his fellow signatories, Halifax represents more than a tennis match — it is, they say, a test of Canada’s commitment to social justice.

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