Kenya’s Philemon Rono sets new record at Toronto Waterfront Marathon for fastest marathon run on Canadian soil

Marathon champion Philemon Rono won the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and made history by crossing the finish line at 2:06:51.

Rono’s marathon time broke three significant marks on the course in the Canadian city this morning: a personal best, a course record and the Canadian all-comers record. He’ll be flying home to Kenya now with an extra C $75,000 in the bank.

Watch video of Rono at Medal Ceremony at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The Kenyan athlete has now run the fastest marathon on Canadian ground having beat the previous mark by just three seconds. The previous all-comers record was 2:06:54 set by Yemane Tsegaye in 2014. Slicing just three seconds off that record means an extra $50,000 now for Rono who also was the champion at the Toronto race last year.

First place athletes in the men’s and women’s races win $25,000. The race awards another $40,000 for anyone who can set a new course record which previously stood at 2:07:05 for the men. Runners however can bump that number up to $50,000 if they also set an all-comers record.

This means that Rono has proved himself once again. Last year, he showed up in Toronto hungry for the win. However, moments before the start, a guard rail fell on his head temporarily knocking him out. He ran anyway and was first across the line running 2:08:27.

Rono’s nickname back home is rather obscure. They call him “Baby Police” as he’s a police officer with a youthful face. He ran strong in Toronto today with Kenya’s Dickson Chumba bring his major competition. It was a fast one from the get-go though and for those watching, it was clear that the Canadian all-comers record was in jeopardy. The lead pack of men went through 5K in 14:41, 10K in 29:29 and 21K in 1:02:38. In the final push, it was between Chumba and Rono but Rono was able to open up a gap.

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Still second and third place cash in on $15,000 and $8,000 respectively. Chumba finished second running 2:09:11 with Solomon Deksisa (Ethiopia) placing third in 2:11:27.

While Rono was clearly the man of the hour for anyone who was spectating the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon today, he wasn’t the only one celebrating victory at the IAAF Gold Label race today. Marta Megra of Ethiopia is a seasoned marathon runner and used to spending some time on the podium. The 26-year-old elite entered the race with a 2:24:32 PB to her name which she set in China last year. Megra clocked 2:28:20 for the gold medal

Behind her was Sutume Asefa who ran 2:2:26 and Sarah Jebet who placed third running 2:30:02.

The weather in Toronto today was unseasonably warm for late October: 12 C at the start line 16 C at the finish.

Runningmagazine.ca

~Photos ©Wakenya Canada