Rory Linkletter considers Houston his go-to spot for achieving top speed, and he recently set a new Canadian record for the fastest half marathon time ever run by a Canadian. Linkletter completed the Houston Half Marathon in an impressive 59 minutes and 49 seconds, breaking the one-hour barrier and surpassing former record-holder Cam Levins by a significant 69-second margin.
Reflecting on his achievement, Linkletter expressed his pride in being the first Canadian to break the 60-minute mark, emphasizing the significance of this milestone in his running career. He credited Houston as the venue where he excels in speed, describing it as a stage that brings out his best performances.
Levins, hailing from Black Creek, B.C., finished the race in 1:00:58, securing the 18th position among 6,776 male participants and falling short of his Canadian record set at the 2023 Vancouver First Half Marathon by 40 seconds. This marks the second time Linkletter, a native of Calgary, has lowered the national record in Houston within four years.
In a testament to his consistent improvement, Linkletter had previously set a record in Houston in 2022 with a time of 1:01:08, surpassing Jeff Schiebler’s record from 1999. The dedicated runner expressed his affinity for the competitive nature of races like the Houston Half Marathon, highlighting the unpredictable yet invigorating challenge they present.
Linkletter acknowledged the influence of Levins on his journey, noting the sportsmanship displayed by Levins in congratulating him on his record-breaking performance. Levins, in turn, commended Linkletter’s achievement and acknowledged the shift in the standard of excellence within Canadian distance running.
Looking ahead, Linkletter plans to continue his pursuit of excellence in both half marathons and marathons, with upcoming races on the horizon. His commitment to pushing his limits and setting new benchmarks in Canadian distance running remains unwavering.
In a separate event, Erin Mawhinney of Hamilton showcased her talent at the Houston Marathon, achieving a personal best time of 2:29:36 and placing fifth among elite female runners. Coached by Reid Coolsaet, a two-time Canadian Olympic marathoner, Mawhinney’s performance underscored her potential as a rising star in the marathon scene.
Meanwhile, Moh Ahmed faced setbacks due to a hamstring issue during the men’s senior 10 km race at the World Athletics Cross-Country Championships. Despite the challenges, Ahmed remains determined to overcome his injuries and continue pursuing his athletic goals.
Furthermore, Vancouver’s Kieran Lumb set a new Canadian road racing record at the 10 km Valencia Ibercaja by Kiprun in Spain, showcasing his dedication to pushing the boundaries of his performance under the guidance of acclaimed coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen.
These notable achievements underscore the resilience and determination of Canadian athletes in the competitive world of distance running.
