Canada’s Quinn-Smith finishes 36th in world championship marathon

Toronto’s Tara Quinn-Smith ran a season-best 2:39:19 for a 36th place finish in the marathon at the world track and field championship, Sunday in Berlin.

Quinn-Smith was the lone Canadian in the field.

China’s Xue Bai won the gold in an exciting finish over Yoshimi Ozaki of Japan, and Aselefech Mergia of Ethiopa. Bai was clocked in 2:25:15, just ten seconds ahead of the silver medallist Ozaki, who finshed in 2:25:25.

The heat took its toll on many runners in the field, accounting for the slow times, and the number of dropouts.

On the track, Team Canada placed fifth in the men’s 4x100m relay. The Jamaican squad, led by world record holder Usain Bolt, won the gold.