Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon - Will they do it?

Oct 4, 2011 by Christopher Kelsall

On Sunday, October 16th, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, dubbed ‘the Canadian Olympic Marathon Trials’ by some, will be contested by 3 of Canada’s current top marathon runners, Reid Coolsaet, Eric Gillis and Dylan Wykes. They will be competing for the win, qualifying times, a generous prize purse and the long-standing Canadian national record.

Canada‘s A+ Olympic standard for London 2012 is set at 2:11:29, and 2:10:09 is the current Canadian record (Jerome Drayton, 1975).

Will they do it?

From Coolsaet's blog: "In the past 12 weeks I’ve averaged over 200km/week which is about 15km/week more than last year in the same 12 week period." Last year on 15km/week less, he ran a 2:11:23.

The possibility of an outright win is in the cards as the three of them have run:

2:11:23 - Reid Coolsaet - Toronto 2010

2:12:08 - Eric Gillis - Toronto 2010

2:12:39*. Dylan Wykes - Sacramento 2010

However, Elite Athlete Coordinator, Alan Brookes has assembled stiff international competition for the Canadians with the return of 38-year-old, three-time Toronto winner, Kenneth Mungara (2:07:58) and fellow Kenyan, Nixon Machichim Kipkoech (2:08:22).

Chasing the Canadian national record, is potentially the most anticipated running event in Canada this year, as the record is 36-years-old and by today’s standard considered soft for a national record. The current world record is held by Kenyan, Patrick Makau and stands at 2:03:38.

Jerome Drayton set the time of 2:10:09 at the 1975 Fukuoka Men’s Marathon in Fukuoka, Japan. Other notable Canadian times are 2:10:59 by Peter Butler, 2:11:03 by David Edge, 2:11:30 twice, once each by Art Bolieau and Peter Fonsenca.

Fellow Canadian, Rob Watson will potentially be in the mix, his personal best is 2:16:17 achieved at Houston, TX, 2011.

Women’s Marathon

In the women’s race, 21-year-old Ethiopian, Mare Dibaba (2:25:27) and fellow Ethiopian Koren Yal (2:24:32) are currently the favorites. Dibaba said, “I look to run between 2:22 and 2:23.” Dibaba is the current national half-marathon record holder with her 1:07:13. Yal looks to better her personal best. This may be a close race.

Depending on who’s running calculator is used, Dibaba’s 1:07:13 half-marathon should translate to at least a 2:22 marathon, if the required training took place. If not, Yal has been training up to 170 kilometers per week under the watchful eyes of Ethiopian coaches Gemedu Dedofo and Gebeyahu Berihun.

Open prize money goes 6-deep for the men and women, paying as much as $20,000 for the win, $12,000 for second place and 3rd $10,000. There is also a Canadian-only prize purse for the top four in both sexes. Details are available at the official website: www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.

Broadcast

The Marathon will be broadcast live by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on CBC - BOLD, starting at 8:30 am ET. Live streaming will be available at www.cbcsports.ca. Highlights will be available later in the day on the National CBC channels.

*Wykes, Sacramento 2010 (2:15:16 Rotterdam, 2008)

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