Canadian steeple record holder Matt Hughes announces his retirement
In a post on social media, Hughes shared the ups and downs of an intense and successful career
Matt Hughes, Canadian Olympic distance runner and record holder, has announced his retirement. On Sunday, Hughes posted a letter on social media detailing his decision to step away from the sport.
View this post on Instagram
He summarizes his time competing as one of Canada’s top athletes as “a good ride.” Toronto-based Hughes ran on both the Rio (2016) and Tokyo (2021) Canadian Olympic teams. His sixth-place finish in the 3,000m steeplechase in Tokyo was the highest result a Canadian has ever achieved in that event at the Olympics or World Championships.
Hughes expressed disappointment with the ending, but noted that his decade-long professional career would be one he would look back upon with pride.
An Oshawa, Ont. native, Hughes attended the University of Louisville, winning consecutive NCAA championships in 2010 and 2o11. In the following years he established himself as one of the greatest steeplechasers in the world, and holds the Canadian record of 8:11.64 in the 3,000m steeplechase from the IAAF World Championships in Moscow in 2013.
Hughes trained as a member of the Bowerman Track Club from 2017-2019 before returning to his home-base of Toronto prior to the Tokyo Olympics.
In his announcement, Hughes depicts his last few years competing as a World Class athlete as stressful, and describes struggling to enjoy good times while constantly concerned about injury. “What I did enjoy was the people I was with and knowing the family and friends that were in my corner, cheering me on,” he adds.
While he doesn’t share any future career plans yet, Hughes says he’s looking forward to resting up and enjoying his “first Canadian summer in a decade.”
Hughes offers online coaching and consulting through Rhythm Athletics.
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