Justin Kent of Surrey, B.C., top Canadian in TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

By Myles Dichter, The Canadian Press on October 20, 2024.

TORONTO – Justin Kent cruised to his first Canadian men’s marathon title in Toronto on Sunday.

Kent, the 32-year-old from Surrey, B.C., crossed the finish line at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon in a personal-best time of two hours 12 minutes 17 seconds to become national champion.

Ethiopia’s Mulugeta Uma claimed the overall championship in a time of 2:07:16, his second career title after winning the Paris Marathon earlier this year.

Kent, who placed 30th at the 2023 world championships, raced solo across most of the 42.4-kilometre course through city streets. Around the halfway point, it appeared as though Kent could be passed as the chase pack narrowed its gap to around 10 seconds.

But the University of British Columbia graduate responded by finding his second wind, pulling away once again and leaving no room for doubt through the final stretch.

Three-time Paralympian Josh Cassidy won his third straight Canadian and overall title in the wheelchair race, crossing the finish line in 1:38:09.

Organizers said nearly 30,000 runners from 70 countries participated in the weekend’s events, which included a five-kilometre race on Saturday and the marathon, wheelchair marathon and half marathon on Sunday.

Weather conditions were ideal for running as the temperature steadily rose from around 7 to 14 degrees C throughout the race.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2024.