Canada's Cam Levins 36th in Olympic marathon, teammate Rory Linkletter 47th on hilly course
Defending champion Eliud Kipchoge struggled and stepped off the course late in the race
Cam Levins of Black Creek, B.C., made a late push on a hilly Olympic marathon course in Paris and placed 36th of 71 finishers 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.
"I thought I paced myself as well as I could for the day. I was hoping to have a bit of a better final 10K [about 36 minutes nine seconds] but it wasn't my day in that regard," Levins, who boasts a 2:05:36 Canadian record, told CBC Sports.
"I'm proud that I had a decent showing [but] definitely want a lot better than [36th]."
On Aug. 8, 2021, Levins faded down the stretch in the Olympic marathon and finished 71st in a field of 106 in 2:28:43 on a hot day in Sapporo, Japan.
"I certainly had a better showing today … so I'm relatively happy," he said.
Saturday was Levins's first marathon since he exited the New York City event last November before the halfway mark after feeling unwell. The 35-year-old 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.
"It's a humbling experience to be on this course against the best in the world and it gives you a lot to think about," said the 27-year-old father of two, who lives in Arizona.
"Once I knew I was in survival mode just trying to get to the finish line, I was trying to focus on continuing forward and enjoying every moment. I feel like I got everything out of myself and had a lot of fun."
WATCH | Tamirat Tola tops men's field and sets Olympic mark in Paris:
On Feb. 18 in Spain, Linkletter ran a 2:08:01 personal best in the Seville Marathon 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.
"My result is one I am not ashamed of, but certainly not one I believe illustrates my capabilities," Linkletter wrote in an Instagram story. "I'll probably be here again [in the Olympic marathon]. Hungrier than ever."
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.
"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.
The last non-Kenyan to win was Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich at the London Games in 2012.
Kipchoge exits early with back pain
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.
Two-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.
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With files from The Associated Press
