Ben Flanagan observed the Chicago Marathon last weekend with keen interest, focusing on details for future research and gearing up for his debut at the Toronto Waterfront event on Sunday. The Kitchener, Ont., native expressed admiration and motivation seeing his competitors perform well, feeling a bit behind due to his relative newness to the marathon scene.
Among his competitors is Alex Masai of Kenya, who achieved a personal best of 2:04:37 for third place in Chicago. Flanagan had initially aimed for a 2:08 or 2:09 time in his first marathon, but his preparation was affected by a hip injury, leading to a shift in his objectives for the upcoming race.
Flanagan, a former 5,000-meter track runner at the 2024 Olympics, now prioritizes winning the Canadian championship more than achieving a specific time. The Canadian elite men’s champions from the past three years at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon finished in the 2:11-2:16 range.
His coach, Jon Green, emphasizes Flanagan enjoying the marathon experience and competing for the Canadian championship. Flanagan, a three-time Canadian 10K champion, and former Canadian half marathon record holder, had to adapt his training to the demands of the marathon distance.
Despite setbacks such as a partial labrum tear in his hip and illness during his training, Flanagan has learned valuable lessons and is prepared for a challenging race. He aims to navigate the race’s difficulties, maintain proper nutrition, and strive for a successful performance.
As Flanagan pursues the Canadian title at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Andrew Alexander and Phil Parrot-Migas are expected to provide stiff competition. The Canadian marathon scene has seen notable improvements recently, with Flanagan setting his sights on higher goals for future races.
In the women’s marathon, Dayna Pidhoresky and Rachel Hannah stand out as elite athletes to watch, bringing their experience and competitive spirit to the event. With a strong field of contenders, the Toronto Waterfront Marathon promises an exciting and competitive race day.