Mississauga runner wins BMO Vancouver Marathon–and saves a life

For the first time since 2022, a Canadian runner has won the BMO Vancouver Marathon. After finishing third last year, Sergio Ráez Villanueva of Mississauga, Ont., broke the tape in Vancouver on Sunday with a time of 2:22:45, marking the fastest time ever by a Canadian on the course.

It was a weekend to remember for Ráez Villanueva, who chalked up his first career marathon win, which happened to be the morning after he saved another elite marathoner from choking.

Ráez Villanueva told Canadian Running he had to perform the Heimlich maneuver. “He was choking on some food, and it helped,” says Ráez Villanueva. “The experience left me very shaky afterward, but I guess that extra adrenaline translated well for the marathon.”

Ráez Villanueva ran with McMaster University during his collegiate career and made the move up to the marathon in 2022, with a 10th place finish at the 2022 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2:18:04, which still stands as his personal best. Ráez Villanueva returned to Toronto this past year, finishing as the third Canadian in 2:20:48.

Finishing behind Ráez Villanueva for second on Sunday was Chris Balestrini of London, Ont., in 2:23:53. Matthew Neumann of Canmore, Alta., rounded out the podium with a time of 2:24:46.

The women’s race saw two international athletes cross the finish line in first and second. Argentina Valdepeñas of Guadalupe, Mexico, won the women’s marathon by nearly a minute over Kate Landau of Tacoma, Wash., in 2:39:38. Landau crossed the finish line exactly 56 seconds later for a time of 2:40:35. Vancouver’s own Emily Andrews rounded out the top three with a time of 2:45:02.

In the half marathon, Ráez Villanueva’s training partner and friend Dylan Alick (also of Mississauga) won the men’s race in a personal best time of 66:02. Alick and Ráez Villanueva have been training together since childhood and serve as volunteer coaches with the Mississauga Track and Field Club. The women’s half marathon race was won by Vancouver’s own Samantha Jory, who crossed the line nearly two minutes ahead of Canadian Olympian Natalia Allen with a time of 1:14:23.

More than 23,000 participants gathered for the annual event starting in Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park and finishing in the downtown Coal Harbour neighbourhood. Participants for this year’s race ranged from seasoned athletes to first-time marathoners, and collectively raised more than $360,000 for charity via the RUN4HOPE program.

For full results from the BMO Vancouver Marathon weekend, visit here.