5 bold predictions for Canadian road, track and trail in 2026

If Canadian road, trail and track athletes carry their momentum from 2025 into the year ahead, the Canadian running scene could be in for some massive performances in 2026. While upsets, injuries and off-days are impossible to predict, here are five moments we could see unfold–or major barriers poised to fall–over the next 12 months of elite racing.

Rory Linkletter breaks Canadian marathon record

Since 2023, in just two seasons, Linkletter has shaved more than five minutes off his personal best, dropping from 2:12:16 to 2:06:49. The Canadian marathon record of 2:05:36 was set by Cam Levins in 2023–but if Rory Linkletter continues his current upward trajectory, he might, very soon, be the new owner of that record.

Linkletter’s biggest jump came from April’s Boston Marathon, where the 29-year-old not only dipped under 2:08 for the first time, clinching a 59-second personal best, but he also secured a sixth-place finish. The run marked both the fastest time by a Canadian in Boston and the second-fastest time ever run by a Canadian. In October, Linkletter lowered his personal best again, placing ninth at the Chicago Marathon in 2:06:49.

Marianne Hogan wins Western States 100

After a strong and consistent past few years of racing, Canadian trail powerhouse Marianne Hogan is a definite threat for this year’s elusive Western States 100-miler title.

Assuming she remains healthy as the 2026 trail season ramps up, the 35-year-old, who has built a reputation as one of the world’s best trail runners, has a strong shot at upgrading her previous third-place finishes. Hogan took third at Western States in both 2022 and 2025, where she finished the run in 16 hours, 50 minutes and 58 seconds, crossing 13 minutes behind first and just three minutes behind second.

Gabriela DeBues-Stafford makes half-marathon debut

Gabriela DeBues-Stafford has held the 1,500m record (3:56.12) since 2019, and the 5,000m mark since 2022 (14:31.38–also a North American indoor record). And despite her returning from serious injury just last year, she qualified for both events at the 2025 World Athletics Championships–so we know she still has range.

But the 30-year-old has not yet dabbled in the half-marathon, or anything longer than 5K, for that matter–and the 2026 season is the ideal, quiet year to continue expanding her horizons and building a strong base. We could certainly see her making her debut in the 21.1K distance–and while it might just be for fun, she’d surely be competitive despite the big jump, likely on track for 71 minutes–likely a top-10 on the Canadian all-time list.

Ethan Peters gets a top-10 finish at UTMB

In 2025, Canadian trail runner Ethan Peters really put his name on the map, tearing up the national and international trail-running circuit. In 2025, he won both Snowdonia and Patagonia Bariloche by UTMB; he also smashed the 14-year-old Canadian Death Race 118-km course record by nearly 40 minutes, finishing in 11:36:52–more than 90 minutes ahead of the next runner.

Already having a ticket for the 2026 event (he qualified with his Patagonia Bariloche win), Peters is on track for a huge run that will surely crack the top 10.

Foster Malleck breaks national 1,500m record

Foster Malleck‘s first year as a pro was one to remember. In a last-ditch attempt to qualify for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, just days after taking second at the national outdoor championships, the 24-year-old ran a brilliant 3:32.38. The performance not only crushed the auto-qualifying standard for worlds (where he become the only Canadian to advance to the men’s 1,500m semi-final round), but also ranks him #2 on Canada’s all-time 1,500m list.

Malleck now sits less than seven-tenths of a second off Canadian legend Kevin Sullivan‘s 3:31.71 mark, which has stood untouched for more than 25 years–and there’s no doubt that record is on Malleck’s radar heading into 2026.