Last year I went downtown to watch the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. You can read my blog post and see photos here.
This year, I watched it on television. It's quite different to being there. Nothing beats the excitement of seeing an event in person, but seeing it on television gives you the benefit of following the leaders throughout the race. When one of your favourites is with the leaders, it's a bonus.
Reid Coolsaet was in the lead pack throughout the race. Eric Gillis and Dylan Wykes were not far behind. All three were trying to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. Reid had already reached the tougher Canadian standard last year, so all he had to do to qualify was reach the international standard of 2 hours 15 minutes. Eric and Dylan needed to beat the Canadian standard of 2:11:29.
Canada (with its tough standard) hasn't sent a marathoner since 2000.
It was an exciting race as runner after runner (including the pacers) left the front pack leaving a group of 3 that included Reid Coolsaet. After briefly taking the lead, the wind on the way back west in the last 7 kilometers proved to be too much for Reid. The Canadian record would not be broken, but he would post his personal best of 2:10:55 finishing 3rd. He waited, watched and cheered as Eric came running towards the finish line in 4th, just beating the Canadian standard by one second. Dylan finished in 6th with a time of 2:12:56. He kept up with Eric for most of the race. In a post race interview, he is confident that he'll be able to make up the difference and qualify as well. Wishing him luck.
For now, two Canadians have qualified for the 2012 London marathon.
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