Leonard Langat Defends Toronto Waterfront Marathon Title as Leah Jeruto Shocks Women’s Field

Hero image: Leonard Kipkoech Langat at the 2016 Frankfurt Marathon. Photo: JeLuF, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Leonard Langat made history in Toronto on Sunday. The Kenyan crossed the line in 2:06:51 to become the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon’s first back-to-back champion since Philemon Rono did it in 2017, and his winning time was the fastest at this race since Rono’s 2:05:00 course record in 2019. On the women’s side, compatriot Leah Jeruto produced one of the afternoon’s most arresting performances, surging from fourth to first in the final 10 kilometres to claim her maiden marathon title in 2:21:19 — a time nobody watching had any reason to expect from her.

Kenya swept both titles. It was, by any measure, a dominant day in Toronto.

How Langat Won the Men’s Race

Ten men were still running at a 2:07 pace at the 30 km mark. The race looked like it could go anywhere. As the pacers peeled off past 35 km, Langat moved. He dragged compatriot Noah Kipkemboi — a two-time podium finisher at this race — with him through the final kilometres, then pulled clear on the home straight.

He was the only man to break 2:07. The $5,000 time bonus was his. Kenya’s Fanny Kiprotich, running only his third career marathon and suffering his first defeat, finished second in 2:07:21. Kipkemboi took third in 2:07:25. Rono’s course record was never seriously threatened.

Jeruto’s Late Surge Ends Ethiopia’s Women’s Winning Run

The women held a tight pack until 30 km when the race opened up. Three Ethiopians began to push — Ayinadis Teshome led with Maritu Ketema and Nigsti Haftu following, while Jeruto sat just behind. Then she turned the race on its head.

Jeruto used her track speed in the closing kilometres to surge past the entire Ethiopian group and cross in 2:21:19. It was her first marathon win and a dramatic improvement on her previous best of over 2:24. Haftu — who famously missed the marathon turn at last year’s race and was disqualified — tried to close in the final kilometre but couldn’t recover the gap. She finished second in 2:21:34, with Teshome third in 2:22:51.

Waganesh Mekasha’s women’s course record of 2:20:44 stands for at least another year. So does Rono’s men’s record of 2:05:00.

Andrew Davies Breaks the Canadian Marathon Debut Record

The race doubled as the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships, and the domestic story was convincing. Andrew Davies of Vancouver, who dominated the Canadian half marathon circuit, stepped up to the full distance and ran 2:08:48 in his debut — the fastest first marathon ever by a Canadian. He finished ninth overall. Pidhoresky’s 2:26:02 in the women’s event was a significant personal best and a clear statement of where her fitness sits heading into the next training block. Canada swept both half marathon titles too, with Alick and Robertson running well clear of the international field.