Four marathoners named to Team Canada for 2023 World Athletics Championships

On Tuesday afternoon, Athletics Canada selected four athletes to represent Team Canada at the upcoming 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Canadian marathoners Rory Linkletter, Justin Kent, Benjamin Preisner and Kinsey Middleton will join previously announced athletes Malindi Elmore and Canadian women’s marathon record holder Natasha Wodak in the marathon event, scheduled to take place on the final two days of the championships (Aug. 27 and 28).

Team Canada is growing. Athletics Canada announced today the names of four athletes selected to compete in the marathon at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.https://t.co/vMmojhpY1T

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) June 6, 2023

Linkletter, Preisner and Middleton all represented Team Canada at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Ore. Linkletter ran to a personal best of 2:10:24, placing him 20th overall and second among the Canadian men behind Cam Levins, who finished fourth in Canadian-record time. Middleton was 26th in the women’s marathon, in 2:32:56. Montreal’s Élissa Legault has also been selected as a non-travelling alternate.

Levins was among the five Canadian athletes initially named to the team in February, but has recently withdrawn to focus on a “hilly” fall marathon in preparation for the difficult marathon course at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Levins currently holds the North American marathon record.

“I see Budapest as an opportunity to position myself for Paris next year,” Linkletter said in a press release. “My goals are to run the best race I can, and place a little higher than last year. If I can do that, it will put me in a good position to make that Olympic team.”

Let’s go! The work has already begun! 🇨🇦 https://t.co/fdgbAtfZDM

— Rory Linkletter (@ThePapaLinks) June 6, 2023

Linkletter and company will join the four athletes previously announced to compete at the 2023 World Championships, running from Aug. 19 to 27: Mohammed Ahmed (10,000m), Evan Dunfee (35 km race walk), Elmore and Wodak.

The final selection for Team Canada will be announced on Aug. 2. All selections are conditional upon athletes meeting the Canadian championships requirement and world championship qualification standards by July 30.