Scotiabank Marathon record set as St. Lawrence greets runners

A 28-year-old Canadian women’s record was broken by Lanni Marchant at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon today (Sunday). She finished with a time of 2:28. It was 36 seconds faster than a contestant ran in 1985.

The previous record of 2:28:36 was set by Oshawa native Sylvia Ruegger at the 1985 Houston Marathon.

The fastest running of a marathon in Canada was set by Ethopian Deressa Chimsa in 2:07:05. A Kenyan (Solomon Kiptoo ) and another Ethopian (Habtamu Assefa) placed and showed respectively.

Two-time Canadian Olympian Eric Gillis was on pace to break the national men’s record for much of the race, but a slow finish saw him cross the line in 2:11:49 — a minute and a half off the mark of 2:10:09.

Tops in the women’s category was Kenyan Flomina Cheyech, at 2:25:14.

The St. Lawrence Market leg of the marathon was well attended by spectators and the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, winner of last year’s cheering-section award, was active again this year.