Home > Runs & Races

Weekend recap: Yuki Kawauchi snags second BMO Vancouver Marathon victory

Also: results from Toronto, Prague and Georgina marathons

Yuki Kawauchi Photo by: Photo: Kevin Morris

Japan’s Yuki Kawauchi claimed his second BMO Vancouver Marathon title on Sunday, finishing in 2:17:05–just over two minutes slower than his course-record-setting time of 2:15:01 in the 2019 marathon, and good enough to secure the 36-year-old a decisive victory against Toronto’s David Mutai (20:20:05) and Mississauga, Ont.’s Sergio Raez Villanueva (2:23:21). Vancouver was just one of a number of marathons in Canada and Europe on Sunday.

Yuki Kawauchi in Vancouver
Photo: Frank Stebner/Facebook

With his latest victory, Kawauchi adds to an impressive list of accomplishments as a marathoner. The 2018 Boston Marathon champion was recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2021 for becoming the first person to run 100 sub-2:20 marathons.

Vancouver’s own Dayna Pidhoresky, who set the course record in 2022, shaved three seconds off last year’s time to win the women’s marathon and set a new course record of 2:34:27, ahead of fellow Canadian Rozlyn Boutin (2:48:09) and U.S. marathoner Callahan McKenzie (2:49:28). Highlights of Pidhoresky’s running resume include winning the Canadian Olympic Trials Marathon in 2019 and being a four-time winner of the Around the Bay 30K race in Hamilton, Ont.

Toronto Marathon

Toronto’s Marco Li took the win at the Toronto Marathon, finishing in 2:34:55. Ryan Rafuse was second, in 2:36:16, and Guillermo Suarez was third, in 2:38:00. Brittney Hall won the women’s marathon in 2:42:56, with Jessica Wylychenko second in 2:59:21 and Jennifer Thomson third in 2:59:25.

In the Toronto Half Marathon, Justyn Tyrrell took the win in 1:08:10, with Cyrus Kurd finishing second, in 1:11:07 and Michael Stewart third in 1:11:09. Brittany Moran won the women’s race in 1:15:44, sharing the podium with Kathleen Lawrence in second place (1:24:18) and Maggie Dunlop in third (1:27:10).

International Volkswagen Prague Marathon

Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso ran to victory at the International Volkswagen Prague Marathon in 2:05:09, ahead of 2021 London Marathon champion Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia (2:06:26) and three-time Toronto Waterfront marathon champion  Philemon Rono of Kenya (2:06:51). In the women’s event, Workenesh Edesa of Ethopia broke the finisher’s tape in 2:20:42. Placing second was Margaret Wangari of Kenya, followed by fellow Kenyan Viola Kibiwot (2:24:54).

Sisay Lemma at the 126th Boston Marathon, April 18, 2022. Photo: Kevin Morris

Georgina Spring Fling

Held along the scenic shores of Lake Simcoe, the springtime iteration of Ontario’s Georgina Marathon returned for its second year on Sunday. Fernando Bralha of Aurora, Ont., won the men’s event in 2:43:11, followed by Christopher Maylor (2:45:39) of Burlington, Ont. and Luca Frascaria (2:47:01) of Toronto. Jeslyn Chantler finished first in the women’s marathon in 2:57:25, followed by Laura Ross (3:17:41) and Jennika Gragtmans (3:27:22).

georgina marathon
Photo: Edison Yao

Taking the top spots in the men’s half-marathon were Zach Gammage (1:17:13), of Mono, Ont., Dave Cooper (1:18:17) of Toronto and Richard Pady (1:19:50) of Mono. Leading the women were Jane Weber (1:23:16), Meghan Tait (1:23:52) and Alanna McRae (1:26:32), all of Toronto.

 

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

The best trainers in Canada under $150

We curated the best performance trainers under $150 to meet your 2024 running goals, while staying on budget