Cam Levins of Black Creek, B.C., made a late push on a hilly Olympic marathon course and placed 36th in two hours 11 minutes 56 seconds on Saturday in Paris.
Ethiopia’s Tola wins Paris race in record time; Canada’s Elmore in women’s event Sunday morning
Doug Harrison · CBC Sports
· Posted: Aug 10, 2024 4:40 AM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago
Cam Levins of Black Creek, B.C., was 36th in the men’s marathon on Saturday at the Paris Olympics, finishing the 42.2 km race in two hours 11 minutes 56 seconds. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images/File)Cam Levins of Black Creek, B.C., made a late push on a hilly Olympic marathon course in Paris and placed 36th in the men’s race on Saturday.
The three-time Olympian covered 42.2 kilometres in two hours 11 minutes 56 seconds. Levins was 53rd at the halfway mark, moved to 43rd through 25 km and reached 35 km in 35th.
It was the 35-year-old’s first marathon since he exited the New York City event last November before the halfway mark after feeling unwell. Levins chose the hilly New York course in preparation for Paris, where the near-loop course varies in elevation from a low point of 27 metres and high point of 183, gaining 438m in elevation and descending 436m to the finish.
Calgary-born Rory Linkletter was 47th in his first Olympic race, stopping the clock in 2:13:09.
“I’ve seen your messages and feel your love,” Linkletter told his 13,400 followers in an Instagram story.
“I’m so proud to have competed here and given it everything I had today. My result is one I am not ashamed of, but certainly not one I believe illustrates my capabilities.
“I’ll probably be here again [in the Olympic marathon],” he added. “Hungrier than ever.”
On Feb. 18 in Spain, Linkletter ran a 2:08:01 personal best and nine seconds under the 2:08:10 automatic Olympic entry standard. It was also the third-fastest finish all-time among Canadian men behind Levins.
Tamirat Tola won the gold medal in an Olympic record 2:06:26. The Ethiopian looked back as he neared the line and had time to soak up the applause.
WATCH | Tola tops men’s field and sets Olympic mark in Paris:
Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola wins men’s marathon at Paris 2024 with Olympic recordTamirat Tola of Ethiopia claims the gold medal in the men’s marathon with an Olympic record time of 2:06:26.
“I am happy today because I fulfilled my goal. I trained hard so I could win,” Tola told reporters. “In my life, this is my great achievement.”
An alternate with the Ethiopian team, the 32-year-old was thrust into action two weeks ago when Sisay Lemma withdrew due to injury.
“I was fully prepared and knew I could fulfil my dream,” Tola said. “I am happy to do that today.
“This is the Olympics and it is not easy to win. … I am very proud, very happy.”
The last non-Kenyan to win was Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich at the London Games in 2012.
Silver went to Belgium’s Bashir Abdi in a season-best 2:06:47 after he picked up bronze in Tokyo three years ago. Kenya’s Benson Kipruto (2:07 flat) was the bronze medallist on Saturday.
Kipchoge exits early with back painTwo-time defending champion Eliud Kipchoge struggled and stepped off the course late in the race.
Kipchoge said Saturday was his “worst marathon” and noted he had back pain around the 20 km mark.
“The hills didn’t affect me at all. The pain made me stop,” said Kipchoge.
“I have never done a DNF [did not finish]. Like a boxer, I have been knocked down, I have won, come second, eighth, 10th. [Today] I did not finish. That’s life.”
Kipchoge will think about his marathon future over the next three months but is hopeful of running more races.
In April 2023, he placed sixth in the Boston Marathon for only his third loss in a major marathon to go with 12 victories.
On Sunday, the women will have the honour of closing out the Olympic track meet.
Organizers are using that marathon as another way to highlight the conquering of a long-sought benchmark at the Olympics; these are the first Summer Games to have an equal number of men and women competing.
Malindi Elmore of Kelowna, B.C., is the lone Canadian scheduled to compete at 2 a.m. ET.
She was ninth in the Olympic competition three years ago in Sapporo, Japan.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Doug Harrison has covered the professional and amateur scene as a senior writer for CBC Sports since 2003. Previously, the Burlington, Ont., native covered the NHL and other leagues for Faceoff.com. Follow the award-winning journalist @harrisoncbc
With files from The Associated Press
