Weekend recap: Canadian Running staffer wins Ontario’s Georgina Marathon

As the seasons transition from summer to fall, many Canadian runners kicked off their fall racing season at events in Canada and the U.S., including one member of the Canadian Running staff. Cory Nagler, a member of our marketing team, secured the victory in the third annual Georgina Marathon with a time of 2:39:23.

The 24-year-old from Toronto ran the marathon as a training run in preparation for the Amsterdam Marathon in October. Nagler initially served as a pacer for a friend during the first half of the race and then transitioned into a workout routine, alternating between 1K on and 1K off for the second half. “The course was nice and scenic, and felt fast,” said Nagler. “I had a feeling by 25K I would break the tape.” Myles Strano of Barrie, Ont., finished second in 2:48:52, and Tristan Markov of Oro-Medonte, Ont., claimed third place with a time of 2:49:10.

Nagler’s primary objective in the upcoming Amsterdam Marathon is to challenge his personal best of 2:30:07, achieved at the 2022 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon last fall.

The women’s race

Toronto’s Madeleine Davidson excelled in the women’s race, winning in her marathon debut, and placing fifth place overall. She recorded an impressive negative-split, completing the second half in 1:24:41 to finish with a time of 2:51:01. Davidson’s training partner from Toronto’s Monarch Athletic Club, Lauren King, achieved a personal best time of 2:58:33, securing second place. Alyse Gilliver of Brockville, Ont., rounded out the podium with a time of 3:04:13.

The third-annual Georgina Marathon and Half Marathon, situated on the southern shores of Lake Simcoe, attracted approximately 300 marathoners and around 800 runners participating in the half-marathon, 10K, and 5K races. Ideal racing conditions greeted participants at the race’s 7 a.m. start, with a refreshing breeze blowing in from the lake. Notably, this year’s race served as a ‘double’ Boston Marathon qualifier, as it fell within the qualification windows for both 2024 and 2025 races.

For full results, click here.

A Scottish sweep at New Balance 5th Ave. Mile

For the third year in a row, Scottish athletes took wins in both the men’s and women’s professional races at the famous New Balance 5th Avenue Mile in New York City. Josh Kerr, the reigning world 1500m champion, capped off his 2023 season with a dominant win, clocking the fastest time at the event in 28 years with a remarkable 3:47.9 mile down 5th Ave.

In the women’s race, another Scot Jemma Reekie, won her second NYC Mile in three years, crossing the finish line in 4:19.4 in a heavy downpour. Reekie is also coming off a successful run the at 2023 world championships in Budapest, where she placed fifth in a loaded women’s 800m field. Reekie last won this race in 2021 and was fourth in 2022 behind her compatriot Laura Muir. 

Kerr celebrated his soaked win by taking off his Brooks Hyperion Elite racing shoes, showing off their grip in front of the cameras. Two days after setting an area record in the 2,000m at Brussels Diamond League, Quebec’s Charles Philibert-Thiboutot made it to the start line of the 5th Ave Mile and finished 18th in 4:00 flat.

For full results, click here.