On Sunday, Mississauga, Ont.’s Kevin Smith smashed the Canadian 55+ half-marathon file on the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon, ending in a speedy 1:15:42. Simply three weeks after finishing the Berlin Marathon, 55-year-old Smith proved he nonetheless had extra to provide, clocking a time that can go down within the books. Smith beat a long-standing file of 1:16:21, set in Toronto on Sept. 29, 1996, by Robert Moore.
Toronto’s Kevin Smith broke the 55+ 🇨🇦 file within the half-marathon at @TOwaterfront42k, working 1:15:42.
That is vindication for Smith, who says he’s been chasing these information for 15 years–ever since turning into a grasp’s athlete💪🏼#chooseToRun pic.twitter.com/eJMxB6VHlz
— Canadian Working (@CanadianRunning) October 20, 2024
Smith mentioned he felt each drained and thrilled post-race. “An entire bunch of feelings had been streaming by me in the previous few minutes once I realized it lastly might occur as a result of I’ve been chasing this [an age group record] for 15 years.” On Sunday, Smith lastly conquered the elusive objective he’s pursued since turning into a masters runner. “..lastly to do it simply feels so, so rewarding,” he added.
Smith mentioned he knew he was on observe for the file. “I had been planning this for a protracted, very long time and I knew the place I used to be, however there are moments on the market once you ebb and circulate and I assumed I is perhaps dropping it,” he defined. “As soon as I hit a few late good kms, and I knew it was only one km to go, I began to go, , it’s a couple of minutes of anguish or no matter simply to get there.”
Hunter Grimshaw-Surette and Eliyah Brawdy win TCS Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon
Smith’s success falls solely weeks behind a prime ten age-group end within the Berlin Marathon, the place he ran 2:42:56 (eighth in M55-59). Though his legs had been recent off a tough effort, Smith wasn’t able to decelerate. “I assumed, I don’t know if I’ll recuperate in time… however I’m in good condition, so I’ll danger it.” That danger paid off.
Sunday’s 2024 Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon topped two first-time champions: Hunter Grimshaw-Surette of Central Chebogue, N.S., and Eliyah Brawdy of Smithers, B.C. Grimshaw-Surette broke the tape in entrance of Toronto Metropolis Corridor, ending in 65:13 in his debut on the distance, whereas Brawdy shaved seven minutes off her earlier finest, crossing the road in 1:13:34.
For full outcomes of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon and related races, click on right here.
