Edmonton marathon highlights

Edmonton

Late August is an exciting time for Edmonton runners who have diligently trained all summer. This past weekend, the Edmonton Marathon brought crowds to the city’s streets.

About 3,200 runners laced up their running shoes to participate in one of the events on race weekend in the Alberta capital with the biggest events being the marathon and half.

The winners of the marathon were Tom McGrath in the men’s race and Emily Potter in the women’s.

McGrath, who placed second last year, had been wondering if he could get a better result at this year’s marathon. He cruised through the finish yesterday running a 2:28:49, beating out Kenyan runner Thomas Omwenga, who lives in Hamilton. He finished with a time of 2:33:45. Brendan Lunty finished third in 2:34:51.

The course record for the Edmonton marathon is 2:23:33.

As for the women’s race, Potter should be impressed by her win in Edmonton on the weekend. The runner’s time of 2:42:56 lands her a spot in the U.S. Olympic trials taking place this winter. Polly Moody, a Calgary runner, came in behind her finishing the marathon in 3:00:56. In third place was Reina Ainsworth with her time of 3:01:38.

Well known Canadians elites also showed up for the half in Edmonton. Among them was Reid Coolsaet, Daniel Kipkoech and Kip Kangogo. Kipkoech placed first running 1:03:36. Coolseat finished second to him in 1:04:09. Kangogo, who represented Canada for the first time in the marathon at Pan Ams last month, placed third with his time of 1:05:02.

The top spots in the women’s half went to Jessica Draksau Peterson (1:13:09), Mary Davies in second (1:14:44) and Rhiannon Johns in third (1:16:13).

For full results, see here.


The Edmonton Marathon is a popular out-and-back course that brings runners along the North Saskatchewan River. It starts and finishes at Edmonton Northlands and is a Boston qualifier event.

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